Lyrics – Transliteration
Kagome kagome
Kago no naka no tori wa
Itsu itsu deyaru
Yoake no ban ni
Tsuru to kame ga subetta
Ushiro no shoumen daare
Translation – Caged bird*
Caged bird, caged bird
The bird in the basket/cage,
When, oh when will it come out
In the night of dawn
The crane and turtle slipped
Who is behind you now?
(source)
*The exact meaning of this song is disputed. (source)
Japanese – かごめかごめ
かごめかごめ
籠の中の鳥は
いついつ出やる
夜明けの晩に
鶴と亀が滑った
後ろの正面だあれ
Game
Formation: Students stand in a circle (holding hands) around one student sitting blindfolded in the middle, who is the “Oni” (ogre, or “It”)
Students sing and walk in a circle around “It.” When the song stops, “It” tries to name the person standing directly behind him/her.
See also
- Japanese folk songs
- circle singing games
- minor / modal songs
- source: Silver Burdett Music, Book 1, General Learning Corporation, 1974
YouTube
Extras for Plus Members
- Song with chords (PDF)
- MIDI file
- Listen
