Be careful not to get led astray! A roundup of challenging yet fun rounds (canon songs)
A round is a style of singing where you follow the person before you, coming in slightly later and chasing their line.
Many people probably sang well-known rounds like “The Frog Chorus” (Kaeru no Gasshō) and “The Bear in the Forest” (Mori no Kuma-san) when they were children.
So, what other rounds are there besides these?
In this article, we’ll introduce a variety of rounds, from classic staples to lesser-known gems.
Songs used for rounds often have fun and amusing lyrics.
If any catch your interest, be sure to pay attention to the lyrics and try singing them as a round for fun!
Playlist
| Be careful not to get led astray! A roundup of challenging yet fun rounds (canon songs) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1east | The Bear of the Forestamerika min’yō | play_arrow | “The Bear in the Forest” stands alongside “The Frog Chorus” as one of the most... |
| 2east | maple leavesSakushi: Takano Tatsuyuki / Sakkyoku: Okano Teiichi | ![]() | Autumn… a scene comes to mind of trees turning a vivid red. |
| 3east | Algorithm Marchitsumo koko kara | play_arrow | The preschool program “Pita…” broadcast on NHK |
| 4east | Snow DanceSakushi: Yui Keizō / Sakkyoku: Cheko minyō | play_arrow | “Snow…” a song that depicts the snow steadily piling up |
| 5east | A quiet lakesideAmerika no dōyō | play_arrow | The children’s song “Quiet…” is based on an American nursery rhyme. |
| 6east | rice paddleSakushi: Komiyaji Satoshi / Sakkyoku: Doitsu | play_arrow | An educational round song starring a rice paddle (shamoji) that sparks interest in rice. |
| 7east | Warm and leisurely strollingSakushi: Sakata Hiroo / Sakkyoku: Komori Akihiro | play_arrow | It makes you want to step outside and go for a walk, a w… |
| 8east | My Friend Kanonsakushi sakkyoku koyama shōzō | play_arrow | Shōzō Koyama’s piece—also well loved as a choral work—sa... |
| 9east | Canon of MosquitoesSakushi: Koyama Shōzō / Sakkyoku: Hangarī min’yō | play_arrow | “The Mosquito…” based on a Hungarian folk song |
| 10east | Piglet’s TrumpetLyrics・Composition: Satoshi Komiyaji | play_arrow | A piglet blows a trumpet, and a little bird plays the piccolo... |
| 11east | Come, fireflywarabe uta | play_arrow | This is also a song that has remained in the hearts of the Japanese for many years... |
| 12east | Frog ChorusYakushi: Okamoto Toshiaki / Sakkyoku: Doitsu min’yō | play_arrow | Hearing “round” singing, the first thing that comes to mind is ‘The Frog Chorus’… |
| 13east | Coffee CanonSakushi: Komiyaji Satoshi/ Sakkyoku: Gaikoku kyoku | play_arrow | A chance to experience the German scale while singing in a round: “Co…” |
| 14east | Three caterpillarsSakushi: Kurihara Michio / Sakkyoku: Komiyaji Satoshi | play_arrow | The lyrics where she lets out a ‘kya!’ at a caterpillar are so cute… |
| 15east | Canon of CabbageLyrics・Composition: Satoshi Komiyaji | play_arrow | You can learn the German scale while singing in a round... |
| 16east | The sound of insects | play_arrow | The sounds of insects nurture children's interest in insects. |
| 17east | Big Song | play_arrow | A cheerful round song that sings of nature and hope |
| 18east | The Mouse and the Kitten | play_arrow | A cute chase song of a mouse and a kitten |
| 19east | What shall we make with rock, paper, scissors? | play_arrow | Let's enjoy a round with rock, paper, scissors! |


play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow
play_arrow