Children’s songs of the world: songs passed down and sung by children overseas
We’re introducing nursery rhymes and children’s songs that have been sung across countries and regions around the world!
From songs found in Japanese textbooks to tunes actually sung overseas and popular songs used in English education, we’ve gathered a selection from various perspectives.
As you’ll see in this article, there are actually many songs people in Japan think are Japanese that are originally from other countries.
If you want to know “famous foreign nursery rhymes in Japan” or you’d like to sing children’s songs in other languages, be sure to check these out and give them a try!
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World nursery rhymes: Children's songs passed down overseas (31–40)
Wee Willie Winkie
Originally a Scottish nursery rhyme, it is loved by children all over the world.
The song has the kind of spooky yet thrilling content that children tend to enjoy: if a naughty child won’t go to sleep at night, a scary man called Wee Willy Winky will come to fetch them and carry them away.
Here we go round the mulberry bush
“Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush” is a fingerplay and action song loved by children.
It even appears in Through the Looking-Glass, the sequel to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Children sing it while doing choreography that imitates everyday actions—such as pretending to go around a tree in a circle with several people, or miming washing one’s face and brushing one’s teeth.
It’s a good way to warm up on a cold day.
In Japan, it might be comparable to oshikura manju (a game where children huddle and jostle to keep warm).
Another nice aspect is that it helps you learn how to say everyday actions in English.
Polka Tramblanka
To the cheerful polka rhythm—originally a Polish folk song and a Czech folk dance—children join hands, spin around, and dance.
In Japan, it appears in collections of children’s songs under the title “Odorou Tanoshii Pōre’chike.”
Ten Little Indians
This is the familiar “Ten Little Indians.” Composed in 1868 by American Septimus Winner, it has continued to be loved as a children’s song in the English-speaking world.
The video is the Beach Boys’ surf version, resulting in a bright arrangement with lovely electric guitar and choral work.
Mary Had A Little Lamb
It’s one of the most popular and well-known numbers in Mother Goose.
In Japan, it’s familiar as “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” The video is a rock-style cover by Stevie Ray Vaughan, who was hugely popular as a master of white blues rock.
World Nursery Rhymes: Children’s Songs Passed Down Overseas (41–50)
Yankee Doodle
The Japanese title is “Arupusu Ichiman Jaku.” It’s an American folk song and a patriotic song from the Revolutionary War.
However, the exact origins of the melody and lyrics are unclear.
It was first introduced to Japan in 1853, when Perry arrived; it was played as a marching tune when his crew disembarked from the Black Ships.
Oranges and Lemons
Among the old English nursery rhymes known as Mother Goose, this is one of the most famous.
It has been honored by various artists—for example, it served as the title of an album released in 1989 by the English rock band XTC, and it is quoted in The Poe Clan, a representative work by shoujo manga artist Moto Hagio.