AKB48 - Sakura No Ki Ni Narou (桜の木になろう)

Originally, I didn't intend to translate this song, since the official video on YouTube has both English, Chinese and even Korean translated subtitles.  Honestly, I think the English translation is okay, but the Chinese one is quite bad.  There're a number of places where it deviates quite a lot, I think.

I am not an AKB48 fan.  I first heard of them over 3 years ago when I started studying Japanese at Foothill College.  One of my classmates was their fan.  And so I tried to listen.  Their songs are "fashionable."  It's quite easy to remember, but if I don't listen to them for a while I will forget easily though.  "Sakura No Ki Ni Narou" (桜の木になろう) is one that like and has made an impression, along with "Shonichi" (初日).



桜の木になろう

曲：横健介
詩：秋元康

春色の空の下を
君は一人で歩き始めるんだ
いつか見た夢のように
描いて来た長い道

制服と過ぎた日々を
今日の思い出にしまい込んで
新しく生まれ変わる
その背中を見守ってる

不安そうに振り向く
君が無理に微笑んだ時
頬に落ちた涙は
大人になるための
ピリオド

永遠の桜の木になろう
そう僕はここから動かないよ
もし君が心の道に迷っても
愛の場所がわかるように立っている

教室の日向の中
クラスメイトと語った未来は
今　君が歩き出した
その一歩目の先にある

満開の季節だけを
君は懐かしんでいてはいけない
木枯らしに震えていた
冬を越えて花が咲く

誰もいない校庭
時に一人　帰っておいで
卒業したあの日の
輝いている君に
会えるよ

永遠の桜の木になろう
スタートの目印になるように
花びらのすべてが散っていても
枝が両手広げながら待っている

誰もみな　胸に押し花のような
決心をどこかに忘れている
思い出して
桜が咲く季節に
僕のことを...
一本の木を...

永遠の桜の木になろう
そう僕はここから動かないよ
もし君が心の道に迷っても
愛の場所がわかるように立っている

I Shall Become A Cherry Tree

Composer: Yoko Kensuke
Lyrics: Akimoto Yasushi

Under the spring colored sky
Alone, you have begun walking
Like a dream you saw one day
A long road you have been drawing

Days spent with school uniform
Are put aside as memories today
Newly reborn
I will be watching you from behind

Turning back, seemingly nervous
When you forced your smile
The tear drop running through your cheek
Was the full stop
That marked your maturity into adulthood

I shall become a cherry tree forever
And so, hereafter, I'll be here standing still
If your heart ever lost its way
You could still stand on your own feet knowing that there's a place of love always waiting for you

Under the sunny spot in the classroom
The future that you're discussing with your classmates
Now, it's ahead of you
From the first step that you've just taken

Please don't let yourself
Yearn only for the blossoming season
Trembling in the wintry wind
Flowers blossom when winter is over

School yard with nobody in sight
Please come back by yourself sometimes
Your radiant self
On that graduation day
You will be able to meet

I shall become a cherry tree forever
Like a landmark representing the starting point
Even when all petals have fallen
My bare branches will open their arms while waiting for you

Anyone who has sworn by the pressed flower in her heart
May forget that determination somewhere
In that case, please remember
In the cherry blossom season
Things about me…
This one tree…

I shall become a cherry tree forever
And so, hereafter, I'll be here standing still
If your heart ever lost its way
You could still stand on your own feet knowing that there's a place of love always waiting for you