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Nanatsu no Ko facts for kids

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"七つの子"
Song
Language Japanese
English title "Nanatsu no Ko"
Published July 1921
Genre Children's song
Composer(s) Nagayo Motoori
Lyricist(s) Ujō Noguchi

Nanatsu no Ko (七つの子, lit. Seven children, or Seven baby crows, The crow's seven chicks) is a very famous and loved Japanese children's song. Its name means "Seven Children" or "The Crow's Seven Chicks." The words were written by Ujō Noguchi, and the music was composed by Nagayo Motoori.

This song was first shared in a magazine called Kin no fune (which means The Golden Ship) in July 1921. Today, "Nanatsu no Ko" is still very popular. You can hear it in some interesting places! For example, it is used as a special tune when trains leave Isohara Station in Kitaibaraki. It also plays as the 6 p.m. bell at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Nomi, Ishikawa.

The Song's Meaning

"Nanatsu no Ko" tells a sweet story about a mother crow and her babies. The lyrics describe how the mother crow cries out because she loves her seven little chicks so much. It's a song that shows the strong love a parent has for their children.

Who Wrote the Song?

The words for "Nanatsu no Ko" were written by Ujō Noguchi. He was a famous Japanese poet and lyricist. He wrote many popular children's songs and poems.

The music was created by Nagayo Motoori. He was a talented composer. Together, Noguchi and Motoori made a song that has touched many hearts in Japan.

Lyrics

The song's lyrics are simple and touching. They talk about a mother crow's love for her seven young ones. Here are the lyrics in Japanese, with how they sound (Romanization), and what they mean in English:

Japanese Romanization English translation
烏 なぜ啼くの
烏は山に
可愛い七つの
子があるからよ
可愛 可愛と
烏は啼くの
可愛 可愛と
啼くんだよ
山の古巣へ
行って見て御覧
丸い眼をした
いい子だよ
Karasu naze nakuno
Karasu wa yama ni
Kawai nanatsu no
Ko ga aru kara yo
Kawai kawai to
Karasu wa nakuno
Kawai kawai to
Nakundayo
Yama no fuurusu e
Itte mite goran
Marui me o shita
Iiko da yo
Mother crow, why do you squawk so?
Because high on the mountain
I have seven cute children.
 
"Cute, cute,"
This mother crow sings.
"Cute, cute,"
Cries the mother crow.
You should behold the old nest
On the mountain. And there you'll see such
Round-eyed, good children.
 
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