There are 2 Japanese songs whose lyrics I love. They are Oda Kazumasa's (小田和正) "Tashika na koto" (たしかなこと), and Nakajima Miyuki's (中島みゆき) "Jidai" (時代). I've written about "Tashika na koto" in the past. This post is about the latter.
You probably know already that I'm a fan of Karashima Midori (辛島美登里). When I read her blog a few years ago, she mentioned that you would sometimes sing Miyuki's "Jidai" in her concerts (in fact, "Jidai" has been covered by many Japanese singers and it's very popular). And so I went to YouTube and searched for it. I didn't understand the lyrics at the beginning. But over the years as I have been studying Japanese, the words start to make sense, and I think its meaning is actually quite deep. Moreover, every time I listen, it reminds me of Hong Kong singer Sam Hui's (許冠傑) "A Bohemian's Voice" (浪子心聲).
I found Karashima Midori and Natsukawa Rimi's (夏川りみ) version on YouTube here. Unfortunately I couldn't find Miyuki's own version.
I've been quite busy for the whole of December. I've taken advantage of the X'mas and New Year holidays to keep up with my translation. I think it's quite fitting to end 2013 with a blog post about "Jidai", since all of us will be reborn after the New Year.
Happy New Year!
時代
曲，詞：中島みゆき
今はこんなに悲しくて 涙もかれ果てて
もう二度と笑顔にはなれそうもないけど
そんな時代もあったねと
いつか話せる日がくるわ
あんな時代もあったねと
きっと笑って話せるわ
だから今日はくよくよしないで
今日の風に吹かれましょう
まわるまわるよ 時代はまわる
喜び悲しみくり返し
今日は別れた恋人たちも
生まれ変わってめぐりあうよ
旅を続ける人々は
いつか故郷に出逢う日を
たとえ今夜は倒れても
きっと信じてドアを出る
たとえ今日は果てしもなく
冷たい雨が降っていても
めぐるめぐるよ 時代はめぐる
別れと出逢いをくり返し
今日は倒れた旅人たちも
生まれ変わって歩き出すよ
まわるまわるよ 時代は回る
別かれと出逢いをくり返し
今日は倒れた旅人たちも
生まれ変わって歩き出すよ
今日は倒れた旅人たちも
生まれ変わって歩き出すよ
Era
Composer, Lyrics: Nakajima Miyuki
Now it is so sorrowful that even your tears have dried up
And seemingly cannot put smile on your face ever again, though…
“Those were the days, weren’t they?”
The day when I could say that will eventually come, you know
“Those were the days, weren’t they?”
For certain, I will be able to say with a smile, you know
Therefore, don’t be troubled by today’s burden
And let today’s storm sweep me
Round and round, the era is turning
Joy and sorrow recurring
You know, parted lovers of today
Will be reborn and continue their encounters
People who continue their journey
Someday you will find your hometown
Even if it is going to collapse tonight
Surely hold on to your belief when you get out the door
Even if today’s chilling rain
Falls endlessly
Cycle by cycle, the era is coming around
Farewell and encounter recurring
You know, travelers who have fallen today
Will also be reborn and put forth their steps once again
Round and round, the era is turning
Farewell and encounter recurring
You know, travelers who have fallen today
Will also be reborn and put forth their steps once again
You know, travelers who have fallen today
Will also be reborn and put forth their steps once again
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