Sakura - A Traditional Japanese Folk Song (lyrics and score)

Sakura Music Notation Score - A Japanese Folk Song

This beautiful traditional Japanese folk song depicts the cherry blossom that bloom in spring. The sakura bloom only once a year and for only 2 weeks, so people wait eagerly in anticipation for the season to come. Living in Japan for a year gave me the chance to experience the magic of the sakura. My favourite part was participating in hanami, which commonly involves packing a bento and going for a picnic under the sakura trees. 

Lyrics:

sakura sakura

yayoi no sora wa

mi-watasu kagiri

kasumi ka kumo ka

nioi zo izuru

izaya izaya

mini yukan

Translation:

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms,

Across the spring sky,

As far as the eye can see.

Is it mist, or clouds?

Fragrant in the air.

Come now, come now,

Let's go and see them!

If you are teaching this song in class, I would suggest using it to teach the Japanese scale, and then letting kids compose a song with the scale. If you'd like to check out my lesson on it, you can click on the picture below. The lesson package also includes a simple example video for composing a song using the scale and playing it as an ensemble.

Full Japanese Teaching Package:

*Sakura music notation score ©The Musician Cat