ちょうちょう (Chōchō)
This song is sung to the tune of an old German song called "Hänschen klein".
ちょうちょう (Chōchō)
Butterfly
Children's Song
Children's Song
(Japanese)
(English)
ちょうちょう ちょうちょう
菜の葉にとまれ
菜の葉にあいたら 桜にとまれ
桜の花の 花から花へ
とまれよ遊べ 遊べよとまれ
Butterfly, butterfly
Stop on the leaf
If you get bored with the leaves, play with the cherry blossoms,
On the blossoms of the cherry blossoms,
Stop and play and play and stop.
 - Japanese Children's Songs - Japan - Mama Lisa's World: Children's Songs and Rhymes from Around the World
"Pin It")
Notes
Pronunciation:
Chōchō chōchō nanoha ni tomare
na no ha ni aitara sakura ni tomare
sakura no hana no hana kara hana e
tomare yo asobe asobe yo tomare
Comments
"Since about 100 years ago, Japanese children have sung this song." -Sadao
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Nomura Akioku (1819 - 1902) wrote the lyrics to this song and it was published with the title of "Butterfly" in "Elementary School Song Collection" issued by the Ministry of Education in 1881 and it was revised by them in 1947.
Translated by Lisa Yannucci. Many thanks to Sadao Mazuka for verifying the translation.
