中島みゆき　私の声が聞こえますか

Nakajima Miyuki - Watashi no koe ga kikoemasu ka

(Nakajima Miyuki - Can you hear my voice?)

A translation of the lyrics of Nakajima Miyuki

http://www.oocities.org/gregsharp.geo

Version 1.3: November 20, 2006

English translations by Greg Sharp <gregsharp@oocities.com>

Spanish translations by Néstor Singer <nesinger@vtr.net>

Some translations are a bit rough, so please give me your suggestions!

======

あぶな坂

Abunazaka

(Abuna hill) (1)

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あぶな坂を超えたところに　あたしは住んでいる

坂を越えてくる人たちは　みんなけがをしている

橋をこわした　おまえのせいと

口をそろえて　なじるけど

遠いふるさとで　傷ついた言いわけに

坂を落ちてくるのが　ここからは見える

I live just on the other side of Abuna Hill

All the people who climb over the hill are hurt

They raise their voice together to complain

It’s your fault that the bridge was destroyed

But I can see from here that in my home far away

They fall down the hill with the excuse that they’ve been hurt before

今日も　だれか哀れな男が　坂をころげ落ちる

あたしはすぐ迎えにでかける　花束を抱いて

おまえがこんなやさしくすると

いつまでたっても　帰れない

遠いふるさとは　おちぶれた男の名を

呼んでなどいないのが　ここからは見える

Today too, another helpless man falls down the hill

I leave immediately to greet him holding a bouquet

If you are always nice like this

You can never go home again (2)

I can see from here that in my home far away

They never remember the names of ruined men (3)

今日も坂は　だれかの痛みで　紅く染まっている

赤い花に魅かれてだれかが　今日も　ころげ落ちる

おまえの服が　あんまり紅い

この目を　くらませる

遠いかなたから　あたしの黒い喪服を

目印にしてたのが　ここからは見える

Today too, the hill is stained red with someone’s pain

Bewitched by the red flowers, someone fell down again today

Your clothes are so red

I let my eyes be deceived

I can see from here that from so far away

My black mourning dress is being used as a landmark

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あたしのやさしい人

Atashi no yasashii hito

(My kind person)

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あの人が　言うの　お前が　ダメになる

なんで　そんなことばかり　言うのかしら

あたしは　あんたの　腕の中で

眠るわけにゃ　いかないわ

あたしの　やさしい人　あんたは　やさしすぎる

He says that I’m no good

Why does he always say that?

But when I’m in your arms

I don’t need sleep

My kind person, you’re too kind

あの人が　言うの　お前は　そこに居ればいいって

なんだって　そう　しばりつけて　おきたいのさ

あたしは　あんたの　胸の中じゃ

夢も　見られないわ

あたしの　やさしい人　あんたは　やさしすぎる

He tells me to go away

What can I say, I want to restrain myself

But when I’m in your heart

I don’t see dreams

My kind person, you’re too kind

あたしは　あんたの　胸の中じゃ

夢も　見られないわ

あたしの　やさしい人　あんたは　やさしすぎる

あたしの　やさしい人　なんて　やさしすぎる人

But when I’m in your heart

I don’t see dreams

My kind person, you’re too kind

My kind person is too kind

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信じられない頃に

Shinjirarenai koro ni

(An unbelievable time)

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信じられない頃に　あなたが　やって来たの

何も悪くはないの　そんな頃だっただけなのよ

In an unbelievable time, you appeared

That was simply a time nothing went wrong

あなたが早く　来てくれないと

誰より早く　来てくれないと

信じられない　季節の淵に

すぐに沈んで　しまうものなのよ

If you don’t come to me quickly

If you don’t come more quickly than any other

I will immediately fall

Into the depths of an unbelievable season

[Chorus]

なんて不幸な　あなた　そして不幸な　私

裏切り続けるのは

言うほど楽じゃないことなのよ

How unlucky for you and unlucky for me

That continued betrayal

Is not as fun as it sounds

信じられない頃に　あなたは愛を告げる

甘くやさしい声が　何もかもを　嘘にみせかける

In an unbelievable time, you declare your love

A sweet, kind voice makes everything look like a lie

あなたが早く　来てくれないと

誰より早く　来てくれないと

忘れられない　悲しなんて

すぐに覚えて　しまうものなのよ

If you don’t come to me quickly

If you don’t come more quickly than any other

I will immediately remember

An unforgettable sadness

[Repeat Chorus]

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ボギーボビーの赤いバラ

Bogii bobii no akai bara

(Bogie Bobby’s red rose) (4)

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ボギーボビーの赤いバラ

むかしは　きれいに　咲いていた

ボギーボビーの赤いバラ

むかしは　きれいに　咲いていた

Bogie Bobby’s red rose

It used to bloom so prettily

Bogie Bobby’s red rose

It used to bloom so prettily

捨てただろう　捨てただろう

枯れてしまったから

ボギーボビーの赤いバラ

あれから　二度と　笑わない

You probably threw it away, you probably threw it away

Because it dried up

Bogie Bobby’s red rose

And you will never laugh again

ボギーボビーの赤いバラ

むかしは　いつも　うたってた

ボギーボビーの赤いバラ

時の流れを　知らぬまま

Bogie Bobby’s red rose

You used to sing all the time

Bogie Bobby’s red rose

Just as it doesn’t know the passage of time

[Chorus]

捨てただろう　捨てただろう

枯れてしまったから

ボギーボビーの赤いバラ

いつか　こぼれて　影もなし

You probably threw it away, you probably threw it away

Because it dried up

Bogie Bobby’s red rose

Sometime overflowing, without shadow

[Repeat Chorus]

======

海よ

Umi yo

(Dear sea)

======

海よ　おまえが　泣いてる夜は

遠い　故郷の　歌を歌おう

海よ　おまえが　呼んでる夜は

遠い　舟乗りの　歌を歌おう

時は　いま　いかりをあげて

青い馬に　揺れるように

心の荷物たちを　捨てにゆこうね

海よ　わたしが　泣いてる夜は

遠い　故郷へ　舟を運べよ

Dear sea, on a night that you are crying (5)

Let’s sing a song of home far away

Dear sea, on a night that you are calling

Let’s sing a song of sailors far away

Time, lift your anchor

Like swaying on a blue horse

Let’s go to throw away the baggage of our hearts

Dear sea, on a night that I am crying

Carry this boat to home far away

海よ　おまえは　覚えているか

若い　舟乗りの　夢の行方を

海よ　おまえは　覚えているか

そして　帰らない　小舟の数を

この歌は　舟乗りの歌

若い　舟乗りの歌

故郷の島を離れ

今日も　さまよう

Dear sea, do you remember

Where the dreams of young sailors have gone?

Dear sea, do you remember

The number of small boats that will never return?

This song is a sailor’s song

A young sailors song

Far from his island home

Still wandering today

海よ　わたしを　愛するならば

今宵　故郷へ　舟を運べよ

海よ　わたしを　愛するならば

今宵　故郷へ　舟を運べよ

Dear sea, if you love me

Carry this boat home tonight

Dear sea, if you love me

Carry this boat home tonight

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アザミ嬢のララバイ

Azami-jou no lalabai

(A Lullaby from Miss Thistle) (6)

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ララバイ　ひとりで　眠れない夜は

ララバイ　あたしを　たずねておいで

ララバイ　ひとりで　泣いてちゃ　みじめよ

ララバイ　今夜は　どこから　かけてるの

春は菜の花　秋には桔梗

そして　あたしは　いつも夜咲くアザミ

ララバイ　ひとりで　泣いてちゃ　みじめよ

ララバイ　今夜は　どこから　かけてるの

Lullaby, if you’re alone at night and can’t sleep

Lullaby, come visit me

Lullaby, it’s miserable to cry alone

Lullaby, where are you calling from tonight?

In spring the rape blossoms, in fall the Chinese bellflowers

I am the thistle that always blooms at night

Lullaby, it’s miserable to cry alone

Lullaby, where are you calling from tonight?

ララバイ　なんにも　考えちゃいけない

ララバイ　心に　被いをかけて

ララバイ　おやすみ　涙をふいて

ララバイ　おやすみ　なにもかも忘れて

春は菜の花　秋には桔梗

そして　あたしは　いつも夜咲くアザミ

ララバイ　おやすみ　涙をふいて

ララバイ　おやすみ　なにもかも忘れて

Lullaby, don’t think of anything

Lullaby, cover up your heart

Lullaby, good night, wipe your tears

Lullaby, good night, forget everything

In spring the rape blossoms, in fall the Chinese bellflowers

I am the thistle that always blooms at night

Lullaby, good night, wipe your tears

Lullaby, good night, forget everything

春は菜の花　秋には桔梗

そして　あたしは　いつも夜咲くアザミ

ララバイ　ひとりで　眠れない夜は

ララバイ　あたしを　たずねておいで

ララバイ　ひとりで　泣いてちゃ　みじめよ

ララバイ　今夜は　どこから　かけてるの

In spring the rape blossoms, in fall the Chinese bellflowers

I am the thistle that always blooms at night

Lullaby, if you’re alone at night and can’t sleep

Lullaby, come visit me

Lullaby, it’s miserable to cry alone

Lullaby, where are you calling from tonight?

ララバイ　ララバイ　ララバイ　ラララ

ララバイ　ララバイ　ララバイ　ララララ

ララバイ　ララバイ　ララバイ　ラララ

Lullaby, lullaby, lullaby, la la la

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踊り明かそう

Odori akasou

(Let’s pass the time dancing)

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[Chorus A]

さあ　指笛を　吹き鳴らし

陽気な歌を　思い出せ

心の憂さを　吹き飛ばせ

笑い声を　聞かせておくれ

Play your flute

Remember some cheerful songs

Blow away my heart’s gloom

Let me hear a laughing voice

[Chorus B]

上りの汽車が出る時刻

名残の汽笛が鳴る

あたし一人　ここに残して

あの人が　逃げてゆく

When the train leaves for downtown

The whistle blows farewell

I remain here alone

While he runs away

[Repeat Chorus A]

ここに居るのは　酔いどれと

噺のうまい　奴ばかり

酒のひとわたりもすれば

浮かれた気分に　すぐなれる

The ones who stay are drunkards

Or con artists

If you take a quick drink

You immediately want to be festive

[Repeat Chorus B]

[Chorus C]

さあ　踊り明かせ　今夜は

気の狂うまで　死ねるまで

賭けてもいいよ　あの人は

二度と迎えになんか来ない

Well, let’s pass the time dancing tonight

Until we feel dizzy, until we can die

It’s OK to lose him

He will never come to greet me again

[Repeat Chorus B]

[Repeat Chorus C]

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ひとり遊び

Hitori asobi (7)

(Playing alone)

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もう長いこと　あたしはほとり遊び

独楽を回したり　鞠をついたりして

日も暮れるころ　あたしは追いかけるよ

独楽を抱えた　影のあとをね

I’ve already been playing alone for a long time

Spinning my top, bouncing my ball

At dusk I will chase my shadow

Holding my top under my arm

[Chorus]

鬼さんこちら　手の鳴るほうへ

あたしの影を　追いかけて

あたしの影を　追いかけてよ

Oni-san, look over here (8)

Oni-san, look over here

Chase my shadow

もう長い影　果てないひとり遊び

声は　自分の　泣き声ばかり

日も暮れて果てて　あたしは追いかけるよ

影踏み鬼は　悲しい遊び

My shadow grows long, endlessly playing alone

The only voice is mine, crying

When dusk is over I will chase my shadow

Playing tag is such a sad game

[Repeat Chorus]

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悲しいことはいつもある

Kanashii koto ha itsumo aru

(Sad things always happen)

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[Chorus A]

だれも　悪くは　ないのに

悲しい事なら　いつもある

Even though nobody did anything wrong

Sad things always happen

[Chorus B]

願いごとが　叶わなかったり

願いごとが　叶いすぎたり

The things we’d hoped for didn’t come true

The things we’d hoped for came all too true

[Repeat Chorus A]

[Repeat Chorus B]

[Repeat Chorus A]

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歌をあなたに

Uta wo anata ni

(A song for you)

(Una canción para ti)

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何ンにも　言わないで　この手を握ってよ

声にならない歌声が　伝わってゆくでしょう

どんなに　悲しくて　涙流れる日も

この手の中の　歌声を　受け取ってほしいの

Hold my hand without saying a word

My singing voice that can’t sing will surely convey something

No matter how sad I am, even on the days my tears flow

Hold my singing voice in your hand

Sostén mi mano sin decir una palabra

Mi cantante voz que no puede cantar seguramente transportará algo

No importa cuan triste esté, incluso los días en que mis lágrimas fluyen

Sostén mi cantante voz en tu mano

それが私の心　それが私の涙

なにもできない替わり　今、贈る

歌おう　謳おう　心の限り

愛をこめて　あなたのために

This is my heart, these are my tears

Because I can’t do anything else, I give to you now

Let’s sing, let’s declare, to the limit of our hearts (9)

I include my love for you

Este es mi corazón, estas son mis lágrimas

Porque no puedo hacer nada más, te lo doy ahoraCantemos, declaremos al límite de nuestros corazones

Incluyo mi amor para ti

そうよ　目を閉じないで　明日を探すのよ

誰も助けはしないから　あなたが探すのよ

あんまり淋しくて　死にたくなるような日は

この手の中の　歌声を　受け取って　歩くのよ

Look for tomorrow without closing your eyes

Because no one will help you, you need to look

On days you’re so lonely that you want to die (10)

Walk holding the singing voice in my hand

Buscar por un mañana sin cerrar tus ojos

Porque nadie te ayudará, necesitarás ver

En días que estoy tan sola que quiero morir

Camino manteniendo mi cantante voz en mis manos

いつか夢みたような　いつか忘れたような

夢をたずねる人に　今、贈る

歌おう　謳おう　心の限り

愛をこめて　あなたのために

歌おう　謳おう　心の限り

愛をこめて　あなたのために

As if I’d seen a dream once, as if I’d forgotten once

To one who dreams visit, I give to you now

Let’s sing, let’s declare, to the limit of our hearts

I include my love for you

Let’s sing, let’s declare, to the limit of our hearts

I include my love for you

Como si lo hubiese visto en un sueño, como si hubiese olvidado uno

Para aquel que sueña visita, te lo doy ahora

Cantemos, declaremos al límite de nuestros corazones

Incluyo mi amor para ti

Cantemos, declaremos al límite de nuestros corazones

Incluyo mi amor para ti

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渚便り

Nagisa tayori

(Tidings from the shore)

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涙色した貝は　私の心

あなたの指から　こぼれ落ちた　波のしずく

サヨナラは　砂の色

私の手をはなれ　キラキラキラと

光の中で　輝いているわ

My heart is a seashell the color of tears

A drop of spills from your finger

Goodbye is the color of sand

Let go my hand

Sparkling in the bright light

[Chorus]

風に吹かれて　渚にいれば

みんな　きれいに　見えてくる

悲しいはずの　思い出も

やさしい　出来事に　見えてくる

When I’m blown by the wind at the shore

I begin to see everyone completely

The memories that should be sad

I begin to see as a tender affair

風とたわむれながら　カモメが一羽

波から波のしぶきを　越えて　ひくく飛んでゆく

サヨナラの物語　やさしい歌に変えて

甘い調べを　ささやきながら　漂ってゆくわ

A lone seagull flirts with the wind

Flying low over waves and spray

A goodbye story becomes a tender song

Floating and whispering sweet observations

[Repeat Chorus x2]

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時代

Jidai

(Time)

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今はこんなに悲しくて　涙も枯れ果てて

もう二度と　笑顔には　なれそうもないけど

Even though you are so sad that you’ve cried yourself dry (11)

And it feels you’ll never smile again

そんな時代も　あったねと

いつか話せる　日が来るわ

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　ふかれましょう

There will come a day when you can say

“Ah, there was such a time in my life”

Surely you will laugh when you say

“Ah, there was such a time in my life”

So don’t worry about it today

Let’s let ourselves be blown by the wind today

まわるまわるよ　時代は回る

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　めぐり逢う

Time turns around

Repeated happiness and sadness

The lovers that break up today

Are reborn and meet again

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

People who always travel

Eventually happen home someday

Even if you break down tonight

You will believe and open the door

Even if today never ends

Even if the cold rain falls

[Chorus]

めぐるめぐるよ　時代が巡る

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　歩きだすよ

Time turns round

Repeated separation and meeting

Even the travelers who falter today

Are reborn to walk again

[Repeat Chorus]

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Notes

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(1) Abuna means “dangerous.” This song has a rich metaphor, and is probably

the most complex of N.M.’s earlier work.

(2) Two possible interpretations: (a) She is too nice, being taken advantage of

by the men who fall down the hill claiming they have been hurt before,

or (b) the men are too nice, and she takes advantage of the fact that they

have been hurt before. I believe that (b) is what she means, but both

are interesting.

(3) Literally: They never call out the names of ruined men.

(4) This song baffles me. What is ボギーボビー??

(5) She is talking to the sea. I hated to translate as “Dear sea,” but what ya gonna do?

(6) With help from Yasutaka Hirota.

(7) She is playing a game like tag. One player is called Oni (鬼) or Oni-san,

which literally means “devil”. If the Oni steps on the shadow of another

player, that player becomes the Oni.

(8) Literally: “Oni-san, over here, I’m clapping my hands”

(9) To sing (歌う) and to express/declare (謳う) are homophones.

(10) With help from Masa.

(11) With thanks to Marshall Humphries for help on this.

Marshall also gives the following background:

“According to what I was told, she wrote this song after the death of her father

(and she and her father were apparently very close), so even though the

phrases are very general, I think the song is actually very personal.”