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!

Playlist

Children’s songs of the world: songs passed down and sung by children overseas
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	Green Green		The world-famous children's song, “Bright Journey.”
2	Old MacDonald Had a Farm (The Jolly Farm)		A popular nursery rhyme with fun animal sounds
3	Twinkle Twinkle Little Star		The Song of the Stars is a nursery rhyme loved around the world.
4	Michael Row the Boat Ashore		A famous folk song, a timeless classic long cherished in America.
5	MICKEY MOUSE MARCH		The famous theme song of Mickey Mouse
6	Baa, Baa, Black Sheep		The secret of an old nursery rhyme that sings the bleating of sheep
7	Winter Wonderland		The story of the Christmas song “White Christmas”
8	Edelweiss		Edelweiss is a song imbued with patriotism.
9	BINGO		The dog song BINGO comes with brain-training elements.
10	I’ve Been Working on the Railroad		Work songs from the construction of the transcontinental railroad are popular in Japan.
11	Father Abraham		Children’s songs, the Japanese version of American nursery rhymes
12	Three Blind Mice		A cruel children's song from British folklore
13	Auld Lang Syne		A famous song that spread throughout the world, Auld Lang Syne (Hotaru no Hikari)
14	Rain Rain Go Away		A song that captures the feelings of a child who dislikes the rain.
15	Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes		A fun song to learn the parts of the body by singing
16	Row, Row, Row Your Boat		A didactic American folk song sung while holding hands
17	O Vrenele		A Swiss folk song, a popular tune in Japan
18	Are you Sleeping		A world-famous round song that originated in France
19	Georgie Porgie		Children’s play songs, sense of rhythm, and wordplay
20	Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross		Mother Goose nursery rhyme of a lady riding a horse
21	Happy Birthday to You		The global spread of birthday songs
22	My Grandfather’s Clock		A classic song about an old clock, a beloved tune in both Japan and the United States
23	J’ai perdu le Do de ma clarinette		International musical dissemination of clarinet compositions
24	A Wise Old Owl		A song that teaches the importance of listening quietly
25	Birds of a Feather		A cheerful nursery rhyme where bird friends gather and sing
26	Cobbler Cobbler, mend my shoe		A children's song about asking a cobbler to make repairs
27	Cock-A-Doodle-Do		A family song noisy with the crowing of chickens
28	Curly Locks		A gentle Mother Goose dream song
29	Goosey, Goosey, Gander		Mother Goose, rhythmic play song
30	Hot Crossed Buns		Easter bread song, warm scenery and affection
31	I had a Little Hen		A song about a hen working hard at housework
32	Jack Be Nimble		Traditional jump-the-candle play song
33	Who Killed Cock Robin		A story about the Japanese robin has become a popular work.
34	Do Re Mi		The famous song “Do-Re-Mi” featured in music textbooks
35	Take Me Out to the Ball Game		A classic sung at baseball stadiums, an anthem known across America
36	Wee Willie Winkie		A nursery rhyme story that scares children who won’t sleep at night
37	Here we go round the mulberry bush		Play “Mulberry Bush” as a round (canon)
38	Polka Tramblanka		A folk song where children hold hands and dance to the rhythm of a polka.
39	Ten Little Indians		A Fun Song of Ten Little Indians
40	Mary Had A Little Lamb		The famous song Mary Had a Little Lamb
41	Yankee Doodle		The patriotic song of the War of Independence, 'Ten Thousand Feet in the Alps'
42	Oranges and Lemons		A famous nursery rhyme that has influenced much art
43	The Battle Hymn of the Republic		Parody versions of folk songs are widely enjoyed in Japan.
44	Katyusha		The affectionate nickname of the Soviet-era folk song “Katyusha.”
45	If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands		Kyu Sakamoto’s world-famous children’s song
46	Jingle Bells		Thanksgiving songs spread across the United States.
47	Turkey in the Straw		A fun American folk song, a classic for folk dancing
48	Oh, the pastures are green		Slovak and Czech rural folk songs
49	Hickory Dickory Dock		A nursery rhyme about a mouse climbing a clock and ringing a bell
50	Dale Dale Dale		Traditional Mexican piñata song
51	Home On The Range		An American folk song, a cowboy song, beloved even in Japan.
52	Simple Simon		Simon's Silly Episode Song
53	London Bridge Is Falling Down		A famous British nursery rhyme about building a bridge
54	Kalinka		The Birth of the Beloved Russian Folk Song “Kalinka”
55	Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer		The Birth of the Christmas Song 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'
56	Santa Claus Is Coming To Town		Classic Christmas songs, beloved around the world
57	When The Saints Go Marching In		A children's song famous for New Orleans jazz
58	It’s A Small World After All		The song “It’s a Small World”
59	Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe		A fun nursery rhyme about the old woman who lives in a shoe