![[Sky-Themed Nursery Rhymes and Songs] Children’s Songs Loved Across Generations](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Mu9cNzChJ9M/sddefault.jpg)
[Sky-Themed Nursery Rhymes and Songs] Children’s Songs Loved Across Generations
There are many nursery rhymes, school songs, and traditional children’s songs that take the sky as their theme or evoke images of the sky.
Even when we say “the sky,” the scenes vary widely—from the freshness of a clear blue sky, to the beauty of a sunset, to the mystery of a starry night.
In this article, we introduce heartwarming nursery rhymes, school songs, and traditional children’s songs that sing about the sky.
You might even find a familiar title that makes you hum the melody without thinking! Enjoy these classic songs that depict the sky as you gaze at it at different times of day.
[Sky/Celestial Children's Songs and School Songs] Children's songs loved across generations (1–10)
Like that blue skyLyrics and Composition: Niwa Kenji
A piece written and composed by Kenji Niwa.
The first half is in a canonic chase, and the latter half unfolds into two-part chorus.
It has been included in song collections such as the Ongaku Geijutsu-sha elementary school music textbooks and “Uta wa Tomodachi.” Its light rhythm and bright melody create an atmosphere that naturally makes you want to sing together at camps and school events, and it has long been familiar through performances by Satoko Yamano and the Morinoki Children’s Choir.
It’s a perfect song for children trying choral singing for the first time or for occasions where everyone can enjoy singing together.
A small bird the skySakushi: Mado Michio / Sakkyoku: Terashima Naohiko
This choral work gently contemplates the wonder of life through the image of a small bird flying, where the poetic world of Michio Mado overlaps with the music of Naohiko Terashima.
It was first included on Yasuhiro Kitada’s album in November 2004, and in July 2005 it was also featured in the choral collection “Memories of the Sugarcane Fields — The Choral Works of Naohiko Terashima.” It has since become established as a standard piece that continues to be sung in choral settings.
Its appeal lies in a transparent melody that preserves the beauty of the metaphor contained in the short poem, making it a gentle song that makes both singers and listeners want to look up at the sky.
To the Sun in the Palm of Your HandSakushi: Yanase Takashi / Sakkyoku: Izumi Taku
Created by the duo of Takashi Yanase and Taku Izumi, this children’s song was first broadcast on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in 1962.
Its warm lyrics, which sing about how small creatures like earthworms and water striders are our fellow living beings, leave a lasting impression.
Yanase’s experience of holding his hand up to the sun, feeling the flow of blood, and thus reflecting anew on the preciousness of life is woven into the words.
In 1965, a single by the Boys Jacks was released, and the song was also performed on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.
When sung at school functions or community events, it brings a comforting sense that everyone’s hearts naturally come together.
Beyond the rainbowSakushi Sakkyoku: Sakata Osamu
A perfect song to sing while gazing up at a rainbow as the sun peeks out after the rain.
Written and composed by Osamu Sakata, it was broadcast in April 1996 on NHK Educational TV’s “Okaasan to Issho” as the Monthly Song.
It captures children’s excitement—What might be beyond the rainbow?—set to a bright, bouncy melody.
When rainy days drag on and your spirits dip, singing this tune is sure to bring back a sunny mood! It’s also great fun as a hand-play song.
rainbowSakushi: Shinzawa Toshihiko / Sakkyoku: Nakagawa Hirotaka
This song takes a rainbow stretching across the sky after the rain as its theme.
The lyrics were written by Toshihiko Shinzawa, and the music was composed by Hirotaka Nakagawa.
Even the gloom of a rainy day can turn into hope for tomorrow when you look up at a rainbow—this uplifting message is delivered with a gentle melody that children can sing with ease.
It was featured in commercials for Kao’s Attack ZERO in 2019 and Meiji’s Probio Yogurt R-1 in 2020, and has been beloved by people of all ages.
It’s perfect not only for nursery and kindergarten graduation ceremonies, but also for brightening the mood on rainy days when sung with children.
Be sure to hum along as you look up at the sky after the rain.
Summer MemoriesSakushi: Ema Akiko / Sakkyoku: Nakata Yoshinao
This work has long been cherished in Japanese music education.
The lyrics by Shoko Ema, inspired by the skunk cabbage scenery she witnessed in Oze, leave a strong impression with their evocative depiction of gazing toward the distant sky.
There is also an anecdote that Yoshinao Nakata, who composed the music, completed the melody before actually visiting Oze, showcasing his skill in weaving the images evoked by the words into sound.
Selected as one of the “100 Best Japanese Songs,” it has been widely arranged for chorus as well.
It’s a song we’d love to keep singing with our families, feeling the changing seasons and the beauty of nature.
Sky of my hometownKyoku: Sukottorando minyō / Sakushi: Ōwada Kenki
This is a work in which the poet Ken’ichi Ōwada set Japanese lyrics to a Scottish folk melody.
Included in the song collection Meiji Shōka, First Volume, published in May 1888, it spread through school education.
While depicting seasonal scenes such as an autumn evening sky, moonlight, bell crickets, and bush clover, it expresses feelings for parents and siblings living far away in one’s hometown.
Adopted as a pedestrian crossing signal melody, it has been loved across generations.
It’s a piece to listen to on a quiet autumn evening, with thoughts turning to one’s hometown.