Collection of winter nursery rhymes, folk songs, and children's songs. Includes fun winter hand-play songs too.
Do you like winter?Although winter is very cold, there are many unique ways to enjoy it: you can see a beautiful silver world created by pure white snow, and you can feel a special kind of warmth you can only experience in winter, like hot pot dishes or sitting in a kamakura snow hut.There are also lots of fun events like Christmas and New Year’s!Children are probably looking forward to making snowmen, having snowball fights, and enjoying Christmas presents and cakes, aren’t they?In this article, we’ll introduce nursery rhymes, folk songs, traditional children’s songs, and hand-play songs themed around various aspects of “winter.”There are many songs that will turn a winter that’s “just cold” into wonderful memories, so please give them a listen!
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Collection of winter children's songs, folk songs, and nursery rhymes. Fun winter finger-play songs too (41–50)
shepherds and sheep
Although it is a Christmas carol sung in the winter season, it is also a well-loved children’s song in Japan.
It celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and depicts angels announcing the Savior’s birth to shepherds.
Originating from a folk melody passed down in England’s western regions since before the 17th century, it became widely known after William Sandys published it in 1833.
Its gentle and solemn tone perfectly suits the Christmas atmosphere.
The Japanese translation is by Shuichi Tsugawa, and it is included as hymn number 103 in the 1954 edition of “Sanbika.” As a traditional hymn sung in churches and homes during the Christmas season, it is cherished by many, so please try singing it with your family.
Collection of Winter Nursery Rhymes, Folk Songs, and Children's Songs: Fun Winter Hand-Play Songs Too (51–60)
Cha-cha-cha of the Snowman
The hand-play song “Yukidaruma no Cha-Cha-Cha” is very popular with little children.
Cha-cha-cha is a dance rhythm that originated in Cuba, characterized by an accent of “cha-cha-cha” at the end of a phrase.
In this song, after singing each phrase, you clap your hands or use bells or castanets to add a “cha-cha-cha” and play along.
It’s perfect for playing with kids on cold days when you can’t go outside.
Snow DanceSakkyoku: Traditional
Originally titled “Tynom Tanom,” this is a Czech folk song to which Japanese lyricist Keizo Yui added Japanese lyrics.
It’s also fun to compare it with the original, which rhythmically repeats the words “Tynon Tanon.” The song likens falling snow to a dance and delights in that image.
It has also appeared in music textbooks.
Santa Claus the ScatterbrainSakushi: Yoshioka Osamu / Sakkyoku: Kobayashi Asei
A lively, snappy duple-time Japanese Christmas song with a fun “zun-cha, zun-cha” rhythm.
It was created by a powerhouse duo: composer Asei Kobayashi, who produced numerous long-running hits for commercials and TV themes that everyone has heard, and lyricist Osamu Yoshioka, known for many children’s songs and anime theme lyrics.
It’s a wonderful Christmas song that makes a joyful Christmas even more fun.
All people, gather together (Hymn No. 112)
This hymn is memorable for its refrain, “The Lord has come.” There’s a theory that it was composed by Handel, a Baroque-era musician, but it is said that Lowell Mason, the father of American hymnody, composed it based on Handel’s Messiah.
The expansive opening does feel quite Handel-like.
In Japan, it’s well known as one of the Christmas carols that can be heard everywhere when winter comes.
Winter nightMonbushō shōka
This is a Ministry of Education song published in the Third-Year Edition of Elementary School Songs.
The lyricist and composer are unknown.
It depicts a harsh winter with blizzards raging and everything covered in snow.
In an era when there wasn’t even radio, let alone television, it portrays the scene of a family gathering closely around the hearth, enjoying time together.
spool (of thread); winding thread; Itomaki (traditional toy spinning top), depending on context
We wind the string and make all kinds of things with a hand-play game! You’ve probably heard it at least once.
In winter, we sometimes switch to a Christmas version and add exciting items like Santa’s hat and glasses.
By singing the song over and over, the children’s anticipation grows as they wonder, “What will we make next?” Both adults and children, use your imagination to create all sorts of things!