I watched a television program the other day. An educational program dealing with English for kids introduced us to an English version of a favorite Japanese song. The Japanese version of "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands" is very popular among preschool kids, as almost all Japanese people know the pleasant melody. I'd like to introduce how we sing the song in Japanese, along with the English song, which originally came from Spain.
Here are two Youtube videos in the two languages. Please have a look.
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(Japanese)
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Shiawasenara Tewo Tatakou (しあわせなら 手を たたこう, Literal meaning : If you are happy, let's clap your hands. )
http://youtu.be/vWOetSoZOEQ
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(English)
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If you are happy and you know it clap your hands song
http://youtu.be/9MtNh2-PJT8
Then, I made a chart of lyrics for the two.
| English | Japanese |
| If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. | しあわせなら てを たたこう |
| If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. | しあわせなら てを たたこう |
| If you're happy and you know it, | しあわせなら |
| And you really want to show it, | たいどで しめそうよ |
| If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. | ほら みんなで てを たたこう |
| If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet | しあわせなら あし ならそう |
| If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet | しあわせなら あし ならそう |
| If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it | しあわせなら たいどで しめそうよ |
| If you're happy and you know it, stomp your feet. | ほら みんなで あし ならそう |
| If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!" | |
| If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!" | |
| If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely show it | |
| If you're happy and you know it, shout "Hurray!" |
As a whole, what they are saying is very similar to each other, although I've found that a part of the English song is different in tune from ours. Yet, it's the same that both the songs tell us that, if you're happy, let's clap your hands.
Furthermore, on our version, if you're happy and you know it, we offer more gestures. On the Japanese video above-mentioned, they are not only stomping their feet, but also they are popping on their cheeks, and crying, laughing, holding a friend's hands, and jumping. In other words, it's relatively easy to change lyrics as you like to enjoy music and hand play.
It's interesting, as I learn English, we share same songs across the globe. It's a wonderful thing!