Se Se Se

2nd grade, 3rd grade, folk song / traditional

Version 1

Lyrics - Rōmaji

(Japanese folk song)

Se se se, no yoi yoi yoi

o chara ka, o chara ka, o chara ka hoi

English Translation

The song is made up of nonsense syllables, with the exception of measure 10 (see version below), where different lyrics are sung depending on if the person is the winner, loser, or it’s a draw. The winner sings “katta-yo” (“I won!”), the loser sings “maketa-yo” (“I lost!”), or if it’s a draw, both sing “aiko-de” (“It’s a draw!”). Measures 9 to 12 can be repeated over and over as players continue to offer different hands. (source)

Japanese - せっせっせ

せっせせえのよいよいよい

おちゃらか　おちゃらか　おちゃらか　ほい

Motions

All in a circle facing a partner
“se se se” = Each student faces a partner and holds both hands, pulsing hands up & down slightly on beat.
“no yoi yoi yoi” = Cross arms in front, pulse beat while changing places with partner
“o cha-ra ka…” = Clap hands, then partner’s hands, alternating on beat
“hoi!” = Jump and turn around, making “rock, paper, scissors” with hand.
Facing new partner, decide who won:
- Winner raises hands over head silently
- Loser bows respectfully to partner
- Tie, both grunt at each other
- This person is the new partner as the song begins again