Lyr Req: Japanese children's war songs from wwII

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Japanese children's war songs from wwII
From: Little Hawk
Date: 18 May 10 - 05:30 PM

There certainly were a number of patriotic songs sung by Japanese children during the war, and there were probably similar songs being sung by children in all the combatant countries. A domestic population's natural and very strong instinct is to support the cause and serve and defend the nation to the utmost. In the case of aggressor countries who start wars, it is almost never clear to most of the domestic population that their own government is the aggressor and is in the wrong.

The Japanese population, for instance, was under the understanding that China had started the war with Japan in the late 30's (actually, the Japanese troops started it by attacking China at the Marco Polo Bridge), and that the USA was assisting China and cutting off Japan's supplies of oil and steel (which was, in fact, true...but the Americans and Chinese didn't see that as a bad thing, needless to say). Therefore, the Japanese citizens and their leaders must have felt that Japan had every good reason to go to war with the USA...and was justified in doing so. This necessitated a pre-emptive attack on Pearl Harbour. The USA made a "pre-emptive attack" on Iraq in 2003...remember? Not being in any real danger from the Iraqi military, however, the USA could do it openly. The Japanese had to do it by stealth, because they were facing an enemy with similar military capability to their own...and far greater resources.

Similarly to the Japanese, the German people were under the impression that the Poles were responsible for the war with Poland in 1939, and that the French and British were responsible for widening that war into a world war by declaring war on Germany! Thus, they would have seen Germany as the victim of foreign aggression and betrayal.

It's always "the other guy" who is seen as being at fault, right? ;-) Governments are quite good at getting their populace to support a war they have planned on and chosen...they just point the finger at a danger supposedly posed by "the other guy", and the people believe it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Japanese children's war songs from wwII
From: GUEST,molehill
Date: 18 May 10 - 01:50 PM

Hi Red Slider and others,

If you are still out there months later you will poss be interested in the following.

Just got box of 50 older player piano rolls on eBay. One roll was in the wrong box but the stamped title on roll itself was so faded I could only make out "Remember". Had a few like that before so I looked to see if any lyrics. First line was "History in every century. . ." which when googled lead me here.

Haven't unrolled totally and my player is currently dismantled for repairs so don't know how it sounds. Just thought you might like to know all of the rolls are at least from 40's or older, a few are from 1917. SO, this must be an original from 1941. I think it may be a QRS roll #7593 but haven't researched yet.

When I get my player working again I can try to post what it sounds like if anyone is interested. I may consider selling it but since it is in fair condition it wouldn't be much. I have not sold any rolls yet, still want to hear them before deciding.

Best RAGards, Linda

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Japanese children's war songs from wwII
From: masato sakurai
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 12:20 AM

It's Sammy Kaye's Remember Pearl Harbor (lyrics and audio).

Some Japanese gunka ("war songs") are on YouTube. I don't know which are children's favorites in those days.
Military song of Japan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Japanese children's war songs from ww
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 11:41 PM

I was hired to replace a person.

This person was dignified and quiet spoken.

As a child he had been in the Sierra - Manzanar - internment.

Thirty year later...a superior-peer of his years (she was the most greasy racist anyone could imgine a "Uriah Heep" with .... "Himmler heels" ) once asked him .... to speak about his experiences as a youth ...before an audience for her benefit, and a book's credification...he said, "I have been in Hell...I do not wish to return."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Japanese children's war songs from wwII
From: GUEST,Red Slider
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 11:14 PM

I'm sorry, I should have said 'Japanese children living in Japan' to be clear (the confusion didn't occur to me) - yes, let me clarify - I am indeed looking for lyrics of 'war propaganda/promotion' songs that were sung by school children in Japan during the war (not those sung by American children in this country. ). And thank you all for responding.

For Your Interest - a little background: my wife, who is Japanese-American, grew up on Big Island. She was five when Pearl Harbor was bombed and entered school the following year. In the first week the children were all taught 'The Pearl Harbor Song' and sang it every morning right after they said the Pledge of Allegiance. She has a nice voice and sings it from memory. She says she also recalls the 'introduction' as well, but her recollection of the introduction lyrics is a little vague and differs slightly from the one given in this thread. She is checking with other family members to see if, indeed, the version they were taught was different (it could well be a version that the children sang but that differs from the 'official' versions). I'll post it if its not the same.

My wife also recalls that the song was played (with the introduction) just before many (all?) of Roosevelt's radio broadcasts; and later in the war newsreels at the local movie theater in Kapoho (a village destroyed by the eruption of Kilauea in 1959-60) where they would show Roosevelt's picture and play it as background music. Perhaps these performances were done only locally. I can't be sure.

I have sent a note to Professor Kinmonth about my inquiry and hope that he can put me on to something about what the Japanese children (in Japan) were singing at that time (and my thanx to Jack Campin for the suggestion).

thank you all for responding - red

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Japanese children's war songs from wwII
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 08:31 PM

The title confuses me too, but I took my cue from "children sang a song in Hawaiian schools..."

Japanese make up 20% of the Hawaiian population, but I doubt that the children sang Japanese patriotic songs.
Filipinos are the second largest group, followed by Hawaiians.

As a whole, Hawai'i is about 42% Asian- truly the 'rainbow' state.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Japanese children's war songs from ww
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 08:02 PM

I wasn't even sure which side's songs were being requested from the thread title.

This could be an interesting thread.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Japanese children's war songs from wwII
From: Nick E
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 06:10 PM

I think the name of the thread is confusing. As I read it it seems like you are asking for songs sung by Japanese children during WW2, not songs sung by children during the war about the Japanese.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Japanese children's war songs from wwII
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 02:42 PM

I'm sure that they sang "Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder," the Air Force song by Captain Robert Crawford, 1939, "Army Air Corps Song."
This Scout song site has it in complete form:
Off We Go Crawford

Thread 17941 also has it, but I haven't checked to see if it is correct. It lacks author citation.
Off We Go

Subject: Lyr Add: REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 01:45 PM

Lyr. Add: Remember Pearl Harbor
Don Reid and Sammy Kaye, c. 1941

History in every century
records an act that lives forever more.
We'll recall, as into line we fall,
The thing that happened on Hawai'i's shore.

Chorus
Let's remember Pearl Harbor,
As we go to meet the foe
Let's remember Pearl Harbor,
As we did the Alamo.

We will always remember
How they died for Liberty
Let's remember Pearl Harbor
And go on to victory.

Adding the seldom heard introduction.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Japanese children's war songs from wwII
From: Jack Campin
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 05:58 AM

I'd bet that if anybody can find out and is willing to tell you, it'll be Earl Kinmonth. Google for him.

Subject: Lyr Req: Japanese children's war songs from wwII
From: GUEST,red slider
Date: 31 Aug 09 - 05:46 AM

From 1941-1945 young, elementary school children sang a song in Hawaiian schools every morning called "The Pearl Harbor Song". I am trying to get the lyrics of any ('patriotic') songs that were sung by the school children of Japan during that same period. - thanx in advance, red

ps.
the lyrics for the Pearl Harbor Song were:

I remember Pearl Harbor
As we go to meet the foe.
Let's remember Pearl Harbor
As we did the Alamo.
We will always remember
How they died for liberty.
Lets remember Pearl Harbor
And go on to victory!