[Childcare] Summer songs: Full of fun! Summer nursery rhymes & finger-play songs

Roses, remnants of summer

The Last Rose of Summer (Full Version) by Eri Ito

Amazingly, this song is actually a poem written long ago by the Irish poet Thomas Moore, set to the melody of an Irish folk tune.

That’s way back in the 1800s.

The version sung in Japan was translated into Japanese in the Meiji era and became familiar as a children’s song.

Though it depicts scenes from faraway Ireland, the Japanese-style translation might keep you from realizing it’s a song from overseas.

Tea Picking

Tea Picking – Crown Girls' Choir

This song was composed in the Meiji era.

Tea picking takes place in early May, so it’s not a song for the height of summer, but it’s a refreshing tune that evokes early summer.

It’s also known as a hand-play song, and many people may remember playing it with friends when they were children.

Come, fireflysakushi sakkyoku: warabe uta

Firefly, Come – Hotaru Koi | Ho, ho, firefly, come (Japanese song / children’s song)

Fireflies that emit beautiful light can be seen around the beginning of summer.

The children’s song Hotaru Koi is themed around these fireflies.

Because fireflies can only be found where the water is clean, you might not see them very often in everyday life.

But when you do, why not sing this song and dream of meeting them again? The lyrics depict someone calling to the fireflies, saying there’s tasty water and not-so-tasty water here, so come this way.

These lyrics have been interpreted in various ways, and despite the cute melody, there are versions with slightly eerie continued verses.

If you’re curious, try looking into it!

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seasakushi sakkyoku: fushō

"Sea" ♪ Where the pine grove fades in the distance ☆ Flowers of August

This is a Japanese children’s song from 1913—very old indeed.

When we think of the sea, we tend to picture a lively daytime beach full of people, but the night sea, with the sound of waves echoing in a dreamy atmosphere, is wonderful too! That kind of night sea is what this song is about.

Each word in the lyrics is a bit tricky, so I think it’s best to start by considering what each word means.

Once you understand them, it’s not difficult at all!

snailSakushi sakkyoku: Monbushō shōka

With Singing: Snail – Children's Nursery Rhyme

Even after the long rainy season ends, summer still brings plenty of rain with sudden showers and typhoons.

Snails, which we strongly associate with the rainy season, may show up again on those rainy summer days.

The children’s song “Kagome” is perfect for such times.

It depicts calling out to a snail—who quickly retreats into the shell on its back—to stick out its face and eyes from the shell.

It’s a familiar tune that even adults can’t help but hum when they see a snail.

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