Tōryanse (通りゃんせ) is a very well known song in Japan. You’ve probably heard this song when crossing the street in Japan. When the traffic light plays this song, children in Japan known it is safe to cross the street.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoOA11hal7U&feature=related

Here are the lyrics to the first verse :

通りゃんせ　、通りゃんせ (Tōryanse, tōryanse) Let me pass, let me pass

ここはどこの細通じゃ (Koko wa doko no hosomichi ja?) What is this narrow pathway here?

天神さまの細道じゃ (Tenjin-sama no hosomichi ja) It’s the narrow pathway of the Tenjin shrine

ちっと通して下しゃんせ (Chitto tōshite kudashanse) Please allow me to pass through

御用のないもの通しゃせぬ (Goyō no nai mono tōshasenu) Those without good reason shall not pass

この子の七つのお祝いに (Kono ko no nanatsu no oiwai ni) To celebrate this child’s 7th birthday

お札を納めにまいります (O-fuda wo osame ni mairimasu) I’ve come to dedicate my offering

行きはよいよい (Iki wa yoi yoi,) Going in may be fine, fine,

帰りはこわい (kaeri wa kowai) Returning would be scary

こわいながらも (Kowai nagara mo) It’s scary but

通りゃんせ　、通りゃんせ (Tōryanse, tōryanse) Let me pass, let me pass