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Лучьшее порно рунета.

toleamocan
Jun 13, 2009
2 comments

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Сексапильные девки

toleamocan
Jun 12, 2009
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скачать секс аниме

mokany91
Jun 8, 2009
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ЗДЕСЬ >>>

порно аниме Shocked

<<< ЗДЕСЬ

Lyrics Translation: kimi ga iru kara (君がいるから) ~ ayaka (絢香)

crystalise
Sep 19, 2008
7 comments

Coming out of the long weekend last week where Hongkongers celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival by consuming unquantifiable quantities of mooncake, I seem to have piled up quite a number of things that I hope to get through in the course of this segment. First off, let me wish my Australian cousin, and coincidentally Ai-chin as well, a VERY HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!! (^___^") WOOHOO~! (Yes, I am over a week late, but this post was started a long while ago...)

Also, I should point out that my interpretations of Hikki's テイク 5 (take 5) have been updated as comments from Liz have pointed me towards further comments about the song by Hikki herself. The new interpretation may seem a little sombre, but I do feel that sadness is not one of the major themes that the song is trying to investigate. Nonetheless, I owe Liz a massive THANK YOU for pointing me in the right direction -- I do need to be set on the right path at times as many of my thoughts are personal interpretations informed by varying degrees of research, LOL. (^___^)

Continuing on in the world of J-pop, while YUI has announced that she's going on a short hiatus until 2009, Hikki and BoA now seem poised to strike the American market. Hikki's second assault is almost as good as confirmed while BoA's highly publicised first strike has left me wondering about those comments she made last year... Perhaps she's changed her mind... LOL (@__@) Finally, to further strengthen the offensive, it was also announced that Crystal Kay has clinched a deal to sing the main theme for the 2009 Hollywood film, Dolan's Cadillac. All this will certainly make for some interesting news in the coming months...

Before closing up this segment, I'd also like to bring up EvaDreaming's YouTube site as this post is to be published to the ayaka Vox group, LOL. Why? Well, because you could find a subbed version of ayaka's おかえり (okaeri) PV there. The site's main focus is subbed Jay Chou PVs though, so if you're a fan of Jay as well, then there is much to rejoice about as her site will certainly fill your hunger for the Taiwanese superstar, LOL! \(^ o ^)/

And finally, in saving the very most important bit for last, I am dedicating this translation to my one and only Buttercup -- because she really is always there for me. Together, we have certainly had our direful downs as well as unparalleled ups, and through it all -- even if the distance that separates us is longer than that of a jellyfish to a shooting star -- we have come through it all with our hands held and a love even stronger than the last.

Because of this then, allow me to dedicate this song to you -- a song that expresses the intense joy of love, regardless of the circumstances that may bind it.

Song information:

Listen to a sample of 君がいるから (~1:10 mins)

君がいるから (Sample, ~1:10 mins)

ayaka (絢香)

Audio disc presence:
Track 13 from ayaka's album, Sing to the Sky (Released 2008/06/25).

PV availability:
Unfortunately, there is no PV for this song... but boy does it deserve one! LOL

Theme song:
This song is not the theme to anything.

Alternative versions:
There are no alternative versions for this piece at the moment.

Comments:
WARNING!!! THIS SONG IS AN ABSOLUTE JOY NUKE!!! If you have no intention of getting obliterated by joy or do not wish to suffer its radiating effects, immediately shut down your computer and hide in a bunker for six months before coming back out again, LOL. (^___^) Otherwise, please feel free to stand in an open area and get ready to be knocked off your socks by ayaka's joy bomb! \(^ o ^)/

LOL, seriously though, this song screams of the joy of being in love even though it makes a point to highlight the pain that may be associated with it. Whoever said, "No one's worth crying for and those who are will never make you cry," likely didn't listen to ayaka, who notes in her comments on this song:

This is a song that is fitting of the blue sky and, in that way, it is a song that I always have an image of within me. I really want to share this with any girl in love: that pain and the fear of losing something important can develop even in love... Still, it could be said that these are simply parts of "falling in love". I really hope to perform this song live soon.

Without a doubt, I can't wait to hear her perform this song live as well since I've grown so very addicted to it! Hurry up and release a live DVD of your previous concert already!! (Yes, I'm getting most impatient! (^___^")) Nonetheless, there is one particular part of the song that I can't help but nod enthusiastically in agreement with: the part where she argues that wanting to protect another person is the most important aspect of love. Indeed, she goes on to say that although she does not completely understand it, she certainly feels it and in saying that she highlights the emotional side of love: the side that shuns the application of logic unto it.

It's quite a pity that, in a world that increasingly adheres to logical reasoning, the emotional aspects of love are often suppressed; and yet, love is ultimately an emotion, which is why new love tends to drive those that have fallen into it almost mad for each other. Because of this, it is important that we need to not only understand love but also acknowledge it as an emotional entity that can only become increasingly burdened when tested by the demands of reason. In many ways then, to know love is to know that knowing is not the answer to knowing love. (^___^")

So, in letting our hearts do the talking then, let us invite ayaka's vocals and music to drown out our faculties and inform our hearts with the emotional rush that is so inherent of pure love with this wonderfully wonderful wonder of 君がいるから, LOL.

Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics retrieved from www.uta-net.com, a site that is always by my side.

--------------------------------------
日本語:
君がいるから
--------------------------------------
歌手: 絢香
作詞: 絢香
作曲: 西尾芳彦・絢香
--------------------------------------
目覚めて　すぐ側に君の声
“おはよう”って寝起きの顔で　はじまる

どれだけ伝わってるんだろう?
君がいる。それが幸せって

愛することで傷ついて
強くなる　意味を知る
「君を守りたい」
一番大切なものは
考えて　わかるもんじゃない
感じるものが全て

強がり。あたしの悪い癖
なぜだろう　君の前では隠せない

どれだけ涙　流しただろう?
その度に　そっと抱きしめてくれるの

失うことを怖れては
愛せない　進まない
「君と居たいよ」
会えない時の寂しさは
愛を強く　感じさせる
そのための瞬間

幸せの種　広がる大地へなげてみよう
時間をかけて　いつか大空へ高く

あたしを呼ぶ君の声が
届いたら　強くなる
愛のメロディ
この声も体も全部
歌になって　伝えるわ
どうぞって迎えてね

愛することで傷ついて
強くなる　意味を知る
「君を守りたい」
一番大切なものは
考えて　わかるもんじゃない
感じるものが全て

君に会いに行こう

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
kimi ga iru kara
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: ayaka
sakushi: ayaka
sakkyoku: nishio yoshihiko・ayaka
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
mezamete   sugu soba ni kimi no koe
“ohayou” tte neoki no kao de   hajimaru

doredake tsutawatterun darou?
kimi ga iru. sore ga shiawase tte

aisuru koto de kizutsuite
tsuyoku naru   imi wo shiru
“kimi wo mamoritai”
ichiban taisetsu na mono wa
kangaete   wakaru mon janai
kanjiru mono ga subete

tsuyogari. atashi no warui kuse
naze darou   kimi no mae de wa kakusenai

doredake namida   nagashita darou?
sono tabi ni   sotto dakishimete kureru no

ushinau koto wo osorete wa
aisenai   susumanai
“kimi to itai yo”
aenai toki no samishisa wa
ai wo tsuyoku   kanji saseru
sono tame no shunkan

shiawase no tane   hirogaru daichi e nagete miyou
jikan wo kakete   itsuka oozora e takaku

atashi wo yobu kimi no koe ga
todoitara   tsuyoku naru
ai no merodi
kono koe mo karada mo zenbu
uta ni natte   tsutaeru wa
douzo tte mukaete ne

ai suru koto de kizutsuite
tsuyoku naru   imi wo shiru
“kimi wo mamoritai”
ichiban taisetsu na mono wa
kangaete   wakaru mon janai
kanjiru mono ga subete

kimi ni ai ni yukou

-------------------------------------------------------
English:
Because You are Here
-------------------------------------------------------
Performed by: ayaka
Lyricist: ayaka
Composer: Yoshihiko Nishio & ayaka
Translated by: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
Waking up: I hear your voice right by my side
“Mornin',” you say with that sleepy face of yours.

I wonder how much I’ve been able to convey these feelings I have for you,*
But you’re here with me – and that, to me, is what happiness is.

When love hurts
It makes us stronger, that much I know.
“I will take care of you,”**
I consider that to be the most important thing,
And though I may not understand it,
It is the feeling that overwhelms me completely.

Pretending to be strong: that’s a bad habit of mine,
But for some reason, I am unable to hide my weaknesses in front of you.

I wonder how many tears you've seen me cry,
Yet each time, how softly you would come to embrace me.

Being afraid of losing the most important things,
I was neither able to love nor advance.
“I just want to be with you,”
The loneliness that I feel when we do not see each other
Only strengthens my love for you,
And it is for this that I cherish these moments.

The seeds of happiness: let us cast them to the farthest reaches of the earth,
And together, let us nurture them so that they will someday grow to the heavens.***

Your voice calls out to me and,
In reaching me, gives me strength...
This is the sound of love’s melody.****
My voice and body too, all of it
Becomes song and rushes to say*****
Take me and be a part of my life always.

Even when love hurts
It serves only to make us stronger, that I can appreciate.
“I will take care of you,”
That is what I believe to be the most important thing,
And though I do not fully comprehend it,
That is the feeling that takes me completely...

And so, I set off to see you.

Notes:
*Note 1: In its simplicity, this is such a wonderfully sweet line. (^___^) I certainly wonder the same thing a lot too...

**Note 2: Literally, “I want to protect you.”

***Note 3: Literally, “Spending time together, someday, it will grow tall towards the big sky.” Alternatively, this entire stanza can also be read as “The seeds of happiness: I will cast them to the farthest reaches of the earth and in spending time at it, see that they will someday grow to the heavens.” Why does that matter? Because if this entire stanza is read in this alternative manner, it allows for a broader interpretation of who ayaka's lover is -- specifically, the song could be seen as a song for the sky if we view the stanza under the latter interpretation. (^___^)

****Note 4: Literally, “Love’s melody.”

*****Note 5: Literally, “Becomes a song and conveys.”

Links:
ayaka Official Website (maintained by Warner Music Japan)
Purchase Sing to the Sky online (via YesAsia Global)

Put Your Music on Love Support : ayaka

Lyrics Translation: konya mo hoshi ni dakarete… (今夜も星に抱かれて…) ~ ayaka (絢香)

crystalise
Jul 23, 2008
9 comments

Just a quick note, I've updated the previous translation post on Laugh away to reflect the fact that the song now has two PVs, hooray! \(^ o ^)/

Before I get into this post though, I should really note that this post features an extremely contextualised translation - so if you are hoping for a more literal interpretation, click here to jump to the user comments segment. I initially tried to strike a more balanced translation but found it exceedingly difficult to convey the beauty of the lyrics under that approach... So I took the lazy way out, LOL (^__^")

Nonetheless, I still don't feel that I have done any justice to the piece, though I can promise you I tried very hard to do so. Indeed, the song's lyrics were so powerful in Japanese that it led Sky Crawlers (スカイ・クロラ) director, Mamoru Oshii (押井守), to redo the ending credits so that he could better fit it to the song. This is a significant gesture because Oshii is known for his adamant refusal to use any musical work that was not tailor-made for his movies... but after listening to this, he seems to have decided otherwise. (^___^")

Anyhow, the summer is certainly making its presence felt these days as the heat has been torturous in Hong Kong. As I wake up each morning to face that pale and diluted blue sky, I scorn - the thought of how hot it is outside sends chills through my spine... and with the Olympics a mere few weeks away, I can't imagine what it'd be like for the horses and their jockeys as the city hosts the equestrian events.

Shooting Clouds Out of the Air

At a time when I am trying to find any possible shade I could, it's difficult to understand why the Chinese government would ever want to ensure cloudless skies by sniping the poor balls of fluff out of the air with their darned anti-aircraft guns...

As if stepping up their control of 1.3 billion people was not enough to ensure a "peaceful and harmonious" Olympics, Beijing has gone the extra mile to reign in control of the weather as well. (-___-") If you are interested in how the whole thing works, hop on to this USA Today article.

Still, the two months leading up to the Games have been somewhat hectic as the government finds itself clearing up pollution, algae and political commentators in anticipation of welcoming the world through its doors. Anyway, I've gone on enough about this; I just wanted to share my awe at the Chinese army's ability to shoot clouds out of the air... LOL (^___^")

So, getting back on track as we long for the future that will bring us the Olympics, let us move on to this jewel of a song (^___^)

Song information:

Listen to a sample of 今夜も星に抱かれて・・・ (~1:30 mins)

今夜も星に抱かれて・・・ (Sample, ~1:30 mins)

ayaka (絢香)

First appearance:
Track 15 from ayaka's album, Sing to the Sky (Released 2008/06/25).

PV availability:
This PV marks the first ayaka video that features no sign of her whatsoever... (@__@) In her stead, viewers will be treated to scenes from The Sky Crawlers; which could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on which you are a bigger fan of - clearly, I fall in the "not all too impressed" camp, LOL (^___^")

Theme song:
This song is the theme to the movie, スカイ・クロラ (also known as The Sky Crawlers).

Alternative versions:
There are no alternative versions at this moment.

Comments:
Listening to the first few lines of the song, ayaka's serenade certainly makes the ballad seem like nothing more than an ode to love, but it is not until the bridge of the song that the context of her words are truly revealed - the piece is not so much a song of love as it is a eulogy for someone she loves. In the booklet that came with the CD, her notes on this song go:

"In spending time with the people we love, a warm feeling is evoked from the touch of their skin. Though these occasions don’t seem particularly special, they are in fact irreplaceable moments. Sadly, we often get too used to a person and it is only when we lose them that we begin to realise this. In this way, the happiness that frames the moment of “now” is a happiness that we ourselves should strive to be grateful for with its every occurrence."

Of course, her notes were written in Japanese in the booklet, but I took the liberty of translating it in order to provide more context for understanding the song. The nice thing about the album is simply that ayaka takes time out to write notes on all the songs in the album and also explains why the album is titled, Sing to the Sky, LOL. I'll be translating these notes as I go through the songs in this album, so stay tuned as I work my way through it. (^___^")

Returning to the focus of this segment, despite noting that this song is more of a eulogy, it is really not about the loss but about the appreciation of the love left behind; not about sorrow and regret but about joy and gratitude; not a lamentation but a celebration. The song's message is not in the literal reading of its words but in understanding the concepts that it is implying through the lyrics, vocal expression as well as melody.

今夜も星に抱かれて・・・ is such an evocative piece that one requires no PV nor understanding of the lyrics to "see" what ayaka is singing of. Close your eyes as you listen and allow the simple yet beautiful melody to take you into a world where the night sky is filled with stars. Close your eyes and let ayaka's vocals guide you through a love that is at its warmest, most honest and most intense expression. Close your eyes and you will see what this piece is truly about.

After that, you probably won't even need to read the lyrics, but just in case you do want to reaffirm what you felt, feel free to scroll down to the next segment (you'll probably have to keep your eyes open though... (^___^")). Remember, this translation is highly contextualised - if you are looking for a more literal interpretation, click here to jump down to the user comments segment... (^___^)

Lyrics:
As always, Japanese lyrics are retrieved from www.uta-net.com.

--------------------------------------
日本語:
今夜も星に抱かれて・・・
--------------------------------------
歌手: 絢香
作詞: 絢香
作曲: 西尾芳彦・絢香
--------------------------------------
この世で一番心地よい場所　それはあなたの胸の中
胸に耳あて鼓動感じるの

What l need now is you
あなたのリズムで眠りそうになる
You made me what l am
このささやかな幸せが続くように…

あなたの愛をこの身に感じ　あたしも伝えるの
あなたの胸に抱かれ　あなたの匂いに包まれて

What l need now is you
これ以上の幸せなどないの
You made me what l am
あたしに不安などないの　あなたがそばにいるから…

５年たった今でも　ゆらゆらと陽炎のように
星になった君に触れることは　できないけれど
今夜も夢を見よう…

What l need now is you
Everyday Everynight l miss you
You made me what l am
Everyday Everynight Everything is you

そばにいるから

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
konya mo hoshi ni dakarete...
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: ayaka
sakushi: ayaka
sakkyoku: nishio yoshihiko・ayaka
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
kono yo de ichiban kokochiyoi basho   sore wa anata no mune no naka
mune ni mimiate kodou kanjiru no

What I need now is you
anata no rizumu de nemurisou ni naru
You made me what I am
kono sasayaka na shiawase ga tsudzuku you ni...

anata no ai wo kono mi ni kanji   atashi mo tsutaeru no
anata no mune ni dakare   anata no nioi ni tsutsumarete

What I need now is you
kore ijou no shiawase nado nai no
You made me what I am
atashi ni fuan nado nai no   anata ga soba ni iru kara...

gonen tatta ima de mo   yurayura to kagerou no you ni
hoshi ni natta kimi ni fureru koto wa   dekinai keredo
konya mo yume wo miyou...

What I need now is you
Everyday   Everynight   I miss you
You made me what I am
Everyday   Everynight   Everything is you

soba ni iru kara

-------------------------------------------------------
English:
Even Tonight, I am Nestled in the Stars...*
-------------------------------------------------------
Performed by: ayaka
Lyricist: ayaka
Composer: Yoshihiko Nishio & ayaka
Translated by: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
At your bosom, as I listen to the gentle throbbing of your heart
Through my earmuffs, I find my only solace in this world.

You are all that I need now
And in your comforting rhythm, I can find the safety of sleep.
It was you who made me what I am
And that is why a simple happiness flourishes in me still.

Held closely in your arms and enveloped tenderly in your perfume,
I feel your love within me as I reciprocate my feelings for you.

I need nothing more but you now,
As I know that there is no greater joy than this.
You were the one who made me what I am
And that is why nothing can trouble me, so long as you are with me.

...Five years from this day, my love for you will continue to burn...
And although I can’t snuggle up to that star you have become,
Even tonight, I could still dream...

All I need is you,
Everyday and every night... I miss you so.
I am who I am because of you,
My everyday, my every night, my everything... is you.

Because I know, unfailingly, that you are always by my side.

Notes:
*Note 1: This is the contextual version of the translation, if you are looking for the literal version - click here.

Links:
ayaka Official Website (maintained by Warner Music Japan)
Purchase Sing to the Sky online (via YesAsia Global)

Fuel Your Passion : ayaka

Lyrics Translation: okaeri (おかえり) ~ ayaka (絢香)

crystalise
Jun 6, 2008
19 comments

Hopefully, I'll be able to update this blog a little more frequently in the coming weeks to bring it closer up to speed with where I want it... Right now though, I'll have to play quite a bit of catch up in terms of translations, LOL.

Before I begin though, allow me to handle some matters of housekeeping as I note corrections and updates to previous posts. The first correction is for a relatively silly blunder at the end of the first segment in the last translation post, Fight The Blues. The second correction is a little more important as it was a correction of the translation to 恋愛写真 (renai shashin). That error was an honest mistake since I did believe that the word I translated really meant what it meant until I later learnt that I was only "almost right" but not quite "completely correct", LOL. (^__^")

Finally, I have updated the posts on 三日月 (mikadzuki) and 手をつなごう (te wo tsunagou) to reflect the fact that they now have alternative versions courtesy of ayaka's newer singles. I should have updated mikadzuki earlier since the live version was released in her previous single but I couldn't muster enough time to do so... Anyhow, with that out of the way, let's get back to discussing ayaka's latest offering - the very heart-warming piece, おかえり (okaeri).

I do have to admit that I really love this song because of the wonderful message it resonates. Indeed, my heart melted completely when the sound of bagpipes filled the air perhaps because I have always attributed the hymn of the bagpipe to the feeling of home. In a song that brings us closer to ayaka, the girl at 20, instead of ayaka, the artist at 20, we are invited to share in her most intimate thoughts as the lyrics unveil an open love letter to her most prized possession: her family.

Still, ayaka always amazes me with her writing and, although I didn't understand it in the right context at first, when I finally realised what she meant in "当たり前の幸せなんかこの世界に一つもない" ("There is no such thing as a normal happiness in this world") the floodgates of my heart opened as I am reminded of how blessed I truly am.

Well, since I am already beginning to talk about the contents of the song itself, perhaps it's time for me to don my rocket sneakers and blast off to the next segment to continue my chatter, LOL. (^__^")

Song information:

Listen to a sample of おかえり (~1:40 mins)

おかえり (Sample, ~1:40 mins)

ayaka (絢香)

First appearance:
Track 1 from ayaka's single, おかえり (Released 2008/05/14).

PV availability:
A PV exists for this song and it features ayaka singing along the harbour. This is interlaced with segments that show soap bubbles floating home amidst snippets of everyday scenes (these segments are a lot more meaningful than they appear after one analyses the lyrics). There is also a scene after the song's bridge of ayaka standing in a sun-tinged waterfront that allows the unconventional beauty that defines her to shine through. Finally, and this may be reading too far into the PV, there is a lamppost that appears at the beginning and the end that is reminiscent of the second mikadzuki PV, which actually serves to deepen the concept of a return home if this connection is true.* Nonetheless, the PV is certainly worth checking out as it does very well to convey that warm fuzzy feeling of home sweet home.

*To understand how mikadzuki could relate to the concept of "home" for ayaka, it may help to check out the translation post here. The history of the song as well as its contents link up very well to that of okaeri and in fact, it added a twist to my understanding of mikadzuki's lyrics. Finally, if you were to watch the second mikadzuki PV again, you would realise that there were scenes related to the concept of "home" there as well... (^__^")

Theme song:
This song is used as the theme to the drama, 絶対彼氏 ("zettai kareshi"; trans. "the absolute boyfriend").

Alternative versions:
There are no alternative versions of the song as of now but a live version may emerge in later singles, LOL. (^__^)

Comments:
The beauty of okaeri lies in the intimacy of the thoughts that are set into the lyrics as the song reads much like a confession of love to her family while each verse introduces a separate reflection on the elements that inspire her to live each day. Nonetheless, there is one sentiment from the song that I would like to highlight because of how often it is forgotten despite how much we may be reminded of it - that the ordinary is always extraordinary.

That sentiment is elevated beyond its common understanding in the line, "There is no such thing as a normal happiness in this world," as it pinpoints how that particular emotion is usually taken for granted by those who are lucky enough to experience it. Indeed, in this line, ayaka points out that happiness is always a very special feeling no matter how normal it may seem because the feeling of happiness is always a blessing. This draws out the extraordinary from what is sometimes considered ordinary to reveal how fortunate we are to be touched by the warmth of an "ordinary" happiness.

Apart from this, each verse carries its own weight in expressing the thoughts of ayaka, which certainly makes it very rich in regards to the themes that could be derived from it. Overall, the music supports her vocals very well and the tune of the bagpipes certainly accentuates that feeling of "home" ever further. In the end, it needs to be said that ayaka's masterful adjustment of her vocals to concord with the softness and strength of the music and lyrics does nothing short of painting the most wonderfully vivid display of affection for her family.

Once again, ayaka does not fail to impress; and once again, it's time to move on to the most important part of the post - the translation segment, LOL. (^___^)

Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics are retrieved from www.uta-net.com as always.

--------------------------------------
日本語:
おかえり
--------------------------------------
歌手: 絢香
作詞: 絢香
作曲: 西尾芳彦・絢香
--------------------------------------
おかえり　sweet home
帰る場所　愛をありがとう

また平気なフリをして
悲しみの色を塗りつぶして　笑ってしまうんです
信じることの大切さ　わかってるのに
いざという時　疑ってしまうんです

空っぽの体　流れる時に
浮いてしまいそうになるけど
あなたのこと　抱きしめたい
このキモチが突き動かすの

おかえり　I'm home
一言で満たされる心
おかえり　sweet home
帰る場所　愛をありがとう
sweet home

自分のことばかりを考える大人はズルイんだと
思っていたんです
でも必死で変えることを
叫んでる人もいるんだと　やっと知ったんです

当り前の幸せなんか　この世界に一つもない
あなたのため　そう思えた
このキモチが突き動かすの

おかえり　I'm home
スピードが加速してく毎日
おかえり　sweet home
変わらない　ずっとある景色
sweet home

探して　なくした
心の傷が
立ち向かう　強さに変われたのは
「おかえり」があったから

おかえり　I'm home
一言で満たされる心
おかえり　sweet home
帰る場所　愛をありがとう
sweet home

おかえり　I'm home
大丈夫　あなたがいるから
おかえり　sweet home
待っててね　もうすぐ着くから
sweet home

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
okaeri
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: ayaka
sakushi: ayaka
sakkyoku: nishio yoshihiko・ayaka
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
okaeri   sweet home
kaeru basho   ai wo arigatou

mata heiki na furi wo shite
kanashimi no iro wo nuri tsubushite   waratte shimaun desu
shinjiru koto no taisetsu sa   wakatteru no ni
iza to iu toki   utagatte shimaun desu

karappo no karada   nagareru toki ni
uite shimaisou ni naru kedo
anata no koto   dakishimetai
kono kimochi ga tsuki ugokasu no

okaeri   I’m home
hitokoto de mitasareru kokoro
okaeri   sweet home
kaeru basho   ai wo arigatou
sweet home

jibun no koto bakari wo kangaeru otona wa zuruin da to
omotte itan desu
demo hisshi de kaeru koto wo
sakenderu hito mo irun da to   yatto shittan desu

atari mae no shiawase nanka   kono sekai ni hitotsu mo nai
anata no tame   sou omoeta
kono kimochi ga tsuki ugokasu no

okaeri   I’m home
supiido ga kasoku shiteku mainichi
okaeri   sweet home
kawaranai   zutto aru keshiki
sweet home

sagashite   nakushita
kokoro no kizu ga
tachi mukau   tsuyosa ni kawareta no wa
“okaeri” ga atta kara

okaeri   I’m home
hitokoto de mitasareru kokoro
okaeri sweet home
kaeru basho   ai wo arigatou
sweet home

okaeri   I’m home
daijoubu   anata ga iru kara
okaeri   sweet home
mattete ne   mou sugu tsuku kara
sweet home

-------------------------------------------------------
English:
Welcome Home
-------------------------------------------------------
Performed by: ayaka
Lyricist: ayaka
Composer: Yoshihiko Nishio & ayaka
Translated by: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
On the way to my sweet home, I can already hear the words, “You’re home!”*
I am returning to the place that gave me the love that I am so thankful for.**

Blotting out my sadness and painting a smile on my face,
I pretend as if everything is alright.
I admit that although I can understand the importance of belief,
It is in the most critical of moments that I doubt myself.

And though this empty body of mine seems to
Almost float through the passage of time,
There is this feeling that always carries me forward:
The feeling of longing to hold you in my arms.

Before I could even say, “I’m home!” I could already hear, “You’re back!”***
Those very words are enough to cause my heart to brim over.****
Returning to my sweet home, I could already hear the words, “You’re home!”
I am returning to the place that blessed me with a love that I am forever grateful for:
My sweet home.

I truly believe that those
Who only keep their own interests at heart are characters of deceit;
But I also know that there are those
Who are desperately crying out for change.

Because of you, I have come to appreciate that
There is no such thing as an ordinary happiness in this world...
And it is this knowledge that continues to drive me forward.

Before I could even call out, “I’m home!” I can already hear, “You’re back!”
In this continued acceleration of everyday life...
I could hear the words, “You’re home!” echoing from my sweet home,
And therein lays a scene that remains eternally unchanging,
There in my sweet home.

Having searched and having lost,
There are emotional wounds that I have to face.
It was in the power of those simple words
That I drew my strength: the words, “You’re home.”

Already I can hear them say, “You’re back!” Before I could enter, “I’m home!”
Indeed, their words are more than enough to fill my heart over.
Returning to the sweetness of home, I can already hear, “You’re home!”
I’m heading back to the place where I owe my debt of gratitude for the love it bestowed upon me:
My sweet home.

I can already hear the words, “You’re home!” As I dream of replying, “I’m home!”
Everything is truly alright now because you are there.
On my way home, I could already hear the words, “You’re back!”
Wait for me, I’ll be soon arriving,
My sweet, sweet home.

Notes:
*Note 1: Literally, “Welcome home, sweet home.” When literally translated it actually makes no sense... which is why quite a number of words were added to make it more comprehensible in English.

**Note 2: Literally, “To this place I am returning, thank you for all your love.”

***Note 3: Literally, “Welcome home, I’m home.” This verse really caused me to mix up my “okaeri” and “tadaima” since I somehow ended up taking “okaeri” to mean “I’m home” after hearing this verse enough. I have a habit for interchanging between languages in mid-sentence or repeating the same thing in different languages when it’s short (for example, “itadakimasu, let’s eat!”), so by hearing “okaeri, I’m home” enough, my brain somehow managed to confuse the meaning of “okaeri”... so yea...

****Note 4: Literally, “That one word overflows my heart.” But as you noticed, although the Japanese have one word for “welcome home”, two words are required for the English language.

Links:
ayaka Official Website (maintained by Warner Music Japan)
Purchase おかえり online (via YesAsia Global)

Put Your Music on Love Support : ayaka

Lyrics Translation: te wo tsunagou (手をつなごう) ~ ayaka (絢香)

crystalise
Mar 26, 2008
8 comments

I cried watching the PV, I cried listening to the single, I cried reading the lyrics, and I certainly cried translating this beautiful ballad... But it wasn't because of any heartache that this translation post was delayed, it was more the headache from the flood of work that came in two and a half weeks ago.

Nonetheless, this song still occasionally induces tears because its lyrics are just so touching and meaningful to me. I must say that I do become sentimental quite easily and am very prone to sniffling. Nonetheless, I had mentioned before that I really enjoy ayaka's work because she seems to always capture and express my thoughts, feelings and experiences like no other artist (as in the case of 三日月, for example).

手をつなごう is no different in this respect and triggers my memories of the time when I left home for the great Canadian unknown. The beauty of this song lies not in taking my perspective however, its beauty lies in taking the perspective of those I left. Certainly, it was in understanding these words through my mother's eyes that I truly related to the wealth of emotion crafted into this piece.

It was in taking that view that many lines in the song struck me very hard since they reminded me of the times when I chose to "be strong" as I ventured off. It's no exaggeration to say that I still have certain regrets about the way I conducted myself then in order to convey "strength". I was young and, for lack of a better expression, just plain stupid (that's not to say that I am any smarter now though...). I was silly enough to confuse apathy for strength and, as a result, acted in equally silly ways to display my affection.

Through this translation however, I feel that I could now allow these regrets to transcend the realm of raw emotion. In translating this song, I have found a vehicle to transport the joyless regret from the intangible mechanisms of my heart to the tangible surfaces that my words shape. But in doing so, I do not hope to banish these feelings into a stone prison of writing, rather I hope to preserve them as words set in this tablet of virtual stone.

With this release then, let us move forward to discover the beauty in 手をつなごう - a masterpiece that will continue to help me fight the blues of life.

Song information:

Listen to a sample of 手をつなごう (~1:50 mins)

手をつなごう (Sample, ~1:50 mins)

ayaka (絢香)

First appearance:
Track 1 from ayaka's single, 手をつなごう/愛を歌おう (Released 2008/03/05).

PV availability:
There is a wonderfully touching PV for this song that features a segment where the instruments stand mute while ayaka sings to the wind's chorus. The PV primarily reflects the message in the song by capturing scenes from the lives of individuals living in the more rural areas of Japan. While adding another dimension to understanding the song, the video also featured a myriad of heart-warming moments that definitely makes it worth checking out.

Theme song:
This song is used as the theme to the movie, 映画ドラえものび太と緑の巨人伝 ("eiga doraemon nobita to midori no kyojinden"; trans: "Movie: Doraemon - Nobita and the Green Giant Legend").

Alternative versions:
1. 手をつなごう <2007/12/20 日本武道館 Live ver.> (Released with the single おかえり on 2008/05/14)
Apart from the extended introduction and a different instrumental arrangement, this version of the song is simply a live version that stands testament to the beauty of ayaka's voice. Indeed, there is no place where this is more evident than at the very end of the song when the songstress joins in on the background vocals; it is there that one realises how much of a difference ayaka makes in conveying the emotional depth that defines the song. Overall, I really enjoyed this version of the song since, if nothing else, it was outstanding in highlighting the quality of ayaka's vocals.

Comments:
手をつなごう is about us facing the future but is written from the perspective of those that surround us. The lyrics actually work on two levels throughout the song: the first level being that of the personal self and the second level being about the people dearest to the self. ayaka sets out to reveal the dual-levelled nature of the song in the first verse by writing "人" in the lyrics but singing "君" in the music. This effectively frames it as a piece about everyone while simultaneously limiting it to be about only one person: you.

The ability to write one thing and read another is a commonly used linguistic trait in the Japanese language that expands on a certain concept by attributing more meanings to it. It should be noted that this usage is usually clarified by the use of furigana, but ayaka tends not to include it... LOL... (^___^") In utilising the language this way, the song becomes very personal as the words shift from a song about people in general to a song about the thoughts of those that are dearest to us. Understandably, we cannot truly know the feelings that others feel for us but, through her writing, ayaka attempts to provide us with this insight by proxy.

Knowing this is only the beginning of grasping the many messages in this song however; because from here, one realises that the lyrics cover a large and varied spectrum of motifs. Unfortunately, going through all the ideas from this piece will stretch this segment to make it unreasonably long. In this way, I intend to only discuss the two concepts that jumped out most at me from the lyrics...

Starting with the first noteworthy notion that is the acknowledgement that being able to hear this song places us among the ones that are "living in a continuing dream". That is to say, no matter how difficult life may seem, we are still living a relative good life that others may consider but a "dream". Indeed, there is another level to this line which is that simply being able to live is itself a dream and that is why although the future may seem frightening, we can still confidently take the step forward.

Indeed, the final blog post of Major Andrew Olmsted, posted posthumously, explicates the meaning of this line in such a vivid and substantive manner that I would recommend its reading to anyone interested. I should make it clear that I mean no offence by linking it from here under this context; it just appeared congruent to relate his post with the topic at hand. His post had moved me to tears and certainly, the world has lost another beautiful mind in his passing... but knowing him from his post, it seems that he will rest well in the simple assurance that life goes on for the world...

Somewhat related to the first theme, the second concept in the song is that of growth, especially the growth of those we love. Certainly, while we often think about how we are growing as individuals, we tend to also somehow assume that things will stay the same for those we are closest to. Many of my friends have commented on how others around them and the world in general has changed after their university years. There are also some that have continued to cling on to their old allegiances in an attempt to fondly remember the days when life was that much simpler.

But as ayaka demonstrates, the reason for change is not that people change; instead, change comes about because everybody grows. In terms of people, "change" is probably an inaccurate term to use because it does not recognise life's progression and implies instead that someone had simply swapped one face for another.

Surely then, people do not go through life "changing", they go through it "growing" and part of that growth is experiencing the evolution of one's life circumstances. Differential experiences inform the way we all grow and this is why by being a part of the lives of those we love, our actions and thoughts have bearings on their actions and thoughts as well. Indeed, throughout this song, ayaka sets out to show that growth is not a personal experience but a shared one instead; and ultimately revealing how we are all intertwined with our communities and why relationships require our constant attention.

In closing, ayaka's powerful and emotional vocalisation of the music and lyrics breathe life into her words as the soothing acoustics convey a comfortable melody that envelops the listener in a warmth that is passed down through the ages. Alas, spring has arrived in the gentle melody emanating from 手をつなごう.

Lyrics:
As always, Japanese lyrics are retrieved from www.uta-net.com.

--------------------------------------
日本語:
手をつなごう
--------------------------------------
歌手: 絢香
作詞: 絢香
作曲: 西尾芳彦・絢香
--------------------------------------
耳を澄ませば　聞こえる
笑い声や涙音
みんな生きてる　愛する人と

広い海を渡るには　1人じゃ迷ってしまう
一緒に行こう　光差す方へ

ぶつかっては　また抱き合って“弱さ”わけあってく

永遠ってコトバ　あるのかな？
未来を想うと　怖くなるけど
ずっと　ずっと　続く夢があるから…
手をつなごう

心が叫んでいるのに
君は見て見ぬフリをして
前だけ向いて　歩いていくよ

写真の中　笑う君“今を描けていた？”

伝えるってことは　難しいね
声を枯らしても　届かなくて
ずっと　ずっと　叫び続ける日もあるけど…

“想い”重なり花開く時
巨大な力が　生まれるから

永遠ってコトバ　あるのかな？
未来を想うと　怖くなるけど
ずっと　ずっと　続く夢があるから…きっと

この空飛べたら　会えるかな？
泣いてた自分と君に送るよ
ずっと　ずっと　信じていれば　叶うから
手をつなごう

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
te wo tsunagou
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: ayaka
sakushi: ayaka
sakkyoku: nishio yoshihiko・ayaka
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
mimi wo sumaseba   kikoeru
warai koe ya namida oto
minna ikiteru   aisuru kimi to*

hiroi umi wo wataru ni wa   hitori ja mayotte shimau
issho ni yukou   hikari sasu hou e

butsukatte wa mata daki atte “yowasa” wake atteku

eien tte kotoba   aru no kana?
mirai wo omou to   kowaku naru kedo
zutto   zutto   tsudzuku yume ga aru kara...
te wo tsunagou

kokoro ga sakende iru no ni
kimi wa mite minu furi wo shite
mae dake muite   aruite yuku yo

shashin no naka   warau kimi “ima wo egakete ita?”

tsutaerutte koto wa   muzukashii ne
koe wo karashite mo   todokanakute
zutto   zutto   sakebi tsudzukeru hi mo aru kedo...

“omoi” kasanari hana hiraku toki
kyodai na chikara ga   umareru kara

eien tte kotoba   aru no kana?
mirai wo omou to   kowaku naru kedo
zutto   zutto   tsudzuku yume ga aru kara... kitto

kono sora tobetara   aeru kana?
naiteta jibun to kimi ni okuru yo
zutto   zutto   shinjite ireba   kanau kara
te wo tsunagou

-------------------------------------------------------
English:
Let Us Join Our Hands
-------------------------------------------------------
Performed by: ayaka
Lyricist: ayaka
Composer: Yoshihiko Nishio & ayaka
Translated by: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
If you listen closely, you would hear
The sounds of laughter and tears.
This is the sound of everyone living with the ones they love.**

If, in crossing the wide ocean, you find yourself lost at sea...
Take my hand and we will go together towards that shining light.***

If you were to argue, embrace each other again afterwards and share the “weaknesses” you both face.

Is there really such a thing as words that speak of eternity’s meaning?
When I think of the future, I begin to grow frightened but
Because it has always been a continuing dream through all this time...
Let us join hands and face tomorrow together.****

When my heart was crying out to you,
You turned to look ahead and kept on walking,
Pretending as if you didn’t notice me.

In this photograph, you are smiling back at me... Did you picture this moment then?*****

Keeping up with the world is difficult, isn’t it?
In my breaking voice, I could no longer reach you
But even then, throughout time, there will be days when I keep crying out...

As my “hope” extends into the time when flowers bloom,******
I feel an immense strength born from within all this.

Are there really words that could touch the meaning of eternity?
As I look into the future, I become afraid but
We’ve been living in a continuing dream throughout life... Of this, I am certain.

If I were to ascend to these heavens, I wonder if we would still see each other?
Through my teary-eyed self, I send my thoughts to you
Because I never doubted the fact that when you believe, you will achieve...
Facing forward then, let us join hands.

Notes:
*Note 1: Although the lyrics actually write 人 (hito) which means “person”, she actually sings 君 (kimi) which means “you”. In doing so, she is making the song personal while at the same time keeping it general. “Person” represents every personal “you”... It makes sense to me and hopefully, it makes sense to you too! LOL (^___^”)

**Note 2: To continue from the above point about “hito” and “kimi” – I translated it to “the ones” to try to combine the concept of "general, but personal". “You” are someone’s “loved one”, for example. (^___^”)

***Note 3: Literally, “Let us go together towards the shining light”.

****Note 4: Literally, “Let us join hands”.

*****Note 5: Maybe it’s just me getting sentimental... but this line is so beautiful. Here, ayaka is asking whether the person, knowing that s/he would eventually have to leave, took the picture with the knowledge that it would become precious to ayaka.

******Note 6: The use of the word 想い here is quite interesting because it actually means so many things. But it also really works because the word includes the definitions of “thought”, “feeling”, “affection”, “intention”, “desire”, “expectation” and “experience”... LOL

Links:
ayaka Official Website (maintained by Warner Music Japan)
Purchase 手をつなごう/愛を歌おう online (via YesAsia Global)

Lyrics Translation: mikadzuki (三日月) ~ ayaka (絢香)

crystalise
Jul 12, 2007
Post a comment

This song actually carries a special significance for me because it was released while I was in the middle on a long long-distance relationship. One "long" for length of time and the other "long" for distance!

三日月 means "crescent moon" or "new moon", if the Japanese were taken individually they would say "third day moon" (thus, a young moon). I am romanising it as "mikadzuki", although you will also find others that will romanise it as "mikaduki" or "mikazuki". There are reasons why this is so, but I really don't intend on going into that save to say that it centres around the romanisation of the kana づ (三日月 is written みかづき in hiragana).

The song mikadzuki itself has an interesting history. It was contracted for use by the Japanese mobile phone company au by KDDI as a commercial song and also as the theme to NHK's @human show before ayaka actually debuted as a professional singer. Even though she was an unknown at the time, a PV was commissioned for ayaka as well as the song (technically making it ayaka's first PV). The PV caused a bit of confusion, as there was no actual way in which to obtain the song anywhere.

It wasn't until later when ayaka had made her debut in 2006 that things began to become clearer and then finally, after another odd series of mysteries involving ayaka's first album, First Message, mikadzuki was officially released to the public. A new PV was commissioned for this release and despite the time difference between when it was first heard and when it was officially release, mikadzuki did not go through any changes lyrically or musically. Thus, both PVs feature the same song audio with different videos. I didn't mind it all though since it just meant more ayaka for me (^__^)v.

Anyhow, I am sure that's enough information about the history of this song. It is significant to me even now and every time I listen to it I think back to the trials of maintaining a long-distance relationship. It's certainly not easy, however it does have its finer points. Through it, I found that I have grown into a more mature individual (though I am not all that mature still, LOL) and it has also served to solidify the bond of my relationship. In all, I came out cherishing my relationship more and understanding myself a lot better.

Song information:

Listen to a sample of 三日月 (~1:40 mins)

三日月 (Sample, ~1:40 mins)

ayaka (絢香)

First appearance:
The song's first appearance was a mystery to the public as it was unavailable for purchase despite the quality of the track. It was eventually released, about a year later, as track 1 from ayaka's fourth single, 三日月 (Released 2006/09/27).

PV availability:
Yes, there are two PVs available for 三日月. One was made before ayaka debuted and was actually promoted as well, which added confusion to who ayaka was and where this song came from. The other PV was made for the official release of the single in 2006.

Theme song:
Before ayaka, the song was the theme song for two things - au by KDDI's LISMO commercial, and NHK's @human TV show. It was not used as a theme song on its official release.

Alternative versions:
1. 三日月 <2007/12/20 日本武道館 Live ver.> (Released with the single 手をつなごう on 2008/03/05)
There have been several iterations of this song when it is sung live and this version brings with it a slightly slower tempo as well as a new introductory exchange between the piano and violin. In regards to instruments, there were some noticeable changes made to their arrangement which further accentuated the melancholy in ayaka's song (Indeed, the cry of the solo violin in the background certainly contributed to make the experience even more painful and raw). Overall, this version does well to showcase ayaka's vocals as it puts forward a different perspective of the song, although that is a difference that is not significant enough to be considered altogether unique.

Comments:
mikadzuki, or "crescent moon", is about long-distance relationships. The concept of the moon highlights the concept of time in these relationships as the moon is used in oriental cultures to denote time, and a new moon is used to show that the separation has just begun in what will seem like a long time left to past (i.e. the remaining phases of the moon). The lyrics actually strike a powerful chord with me as it accurately describes the feeling of going through the maintenance of such a relationship. The song's gradual progress, helped by ayaka's vocals, highlights how it begins with a melancholy feeling and swells into a strong yearning. One should note the themes of growth, endurance and shared loneliness from the song.

Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics retrieved from www.uta-net.com.

--------------------------------------
日本語:
三日月
--------------------------------------
歌手: 絢香
作詞: 絢香
作曲: 西尾芳彦・絢香
--------------------------------------
ずっと一緒にいた　二人で歩いた一本道
二つに分かれて　別々の方歩いてく

寂しさで溢れたこの胸かかえて
今にも泣き出しそうな空見上げて
あなたを想った…

君がいない夜だって
そう no more cry もう泣かないよ
がんばっているからねって　強くなるからねって
君も見ているだろう
この消えそうな三日月
つながっているからねって　愛してるからねって

冷えきった手を一人で温める日々
君の温もり　恋しくて恋しくて

どれだけ電話で「好き」と言われたって
君によりかかる事はできない
涙をぬぐった…

君がいない夜だって
そう no more cry もう泣かないよ
がんばっているからねって　強くなるからねって

今度いつ会えるんだろう　それまでの電池は
抱きしめながら言った　あなたの愛してるの一言

君がいない夜だって
そう no more cry もう泣かないよ
がんばっているからねって　強くなるからねって
君も見ているだろう
この消えそうな三日月
つながっているからねって　愛してるからねって

三日月に手をのばした　君に届けこの想い

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
mikadzuki
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: ayaka
sakushi: ayaka
sakkyoku: nishio yoshihiko・ayaka
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
zutto issho ni ita futari de aruita ippon michi
futatsu ni wakarete betsubetsu no hou aruiteku

samishisa de afureta kono mune kakaete
ima ni mo naki dashisou na sora miagete
anata wo omotta…

kimi ga inai yoru datte
sou no more cry mou nakanaiyo
ganbatteiru kara nette tsuyoku naru kara nette
kimi mo miteiru darou
kono kiesou na mikadzuki
tsunagatteiru kara nette aishiteru kara nette

hie kitta te wo hitori de atatameru hibi
kimi no nukumori koishikute koishikute

doredake denwa de “suki” to iwaretatte
kimi ni yori kakaru koto wa dekinai
namida wo nugutta…

kimi ga inai yoru datte
sou no more cry mou nakanaiyo
ganbatteiru kara nette tsuyoku naru kara nette

kondo itsu aerun darou soremade no denchi wa
dakishime nagara itta anata no aishiteru no hitokoto

kimi ga inai yoru datte
sou no more cry mou nakanaiyo
ganbatteiru kara nette tsuyoku naru kara nette
kimi mo miteiru darou
kono kiesou na mikadzuki
tsunagatteiru kara nette aishiteru kara nette

mikadzuki ni te wo nobashita kimi ni todoke kono omoi

-------------------------------------------------------
English:
Crescent moon
-------------------------------------------------------
Performed by: ayaka
Lyricist: ayaka
Composer: Yoshihiko Nishio & ayaka
Translated by: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
Walking down an unwinding path together for an eternity,*
We came to a fork and took our separate paths.

Grasping a heart overflowing with loneliness,
I look up into a night sky that seemed ready to cry.
I thought of you…

Though you are not here with me this night,
I won’t cry any longer,
As I know that we are doing our best and becoming stronger from this.**
I know that you are likely gazing up
At this fading crescent moon as well
Because we remain as one and our love for one another continues to grow.***

Those days when I heat my cold hands alone
Make me yearn and yearn for your comforting warmth.

No matter how many times you said “I love you” over the phone,
I cannot allow myself to let you sustain me.
With that, I wiped my tears away…

Though you are not here with me this night,
I won’t cry any longer,
As I know that we are doing our best and becoming stronger.

Though I am unsure when we will meet again, I will keep myself going****
With the words you said as you held me close… your simple declaration of love.

Though you are not here with me this night,
I won’t cry any longer,
As I know that we are doing our best and becoming stronger.
You are probably gazing up
At the same fading crescent moon
For we remain as one and our love for each other still grows.

With my hand stretched towards that crescent moon, I send out these thoughts to you.*****

Notes:
*Note 1: Literally, “We were always together, the two of us walking down a single road”
**Note 2: Literally, “Because we are doing our best, aren’t we? Because we are becoming stronger, aren’t we?”
***Note 3: Literally, “Because we remain connected, don’t we? Because we love each other, don’t we?”
****Note 4: Literally, “Now I am unsure when we will see each other, until then my batteries will be…” The word “batteries” didn’t really seem to fit in the context of this translation but it gets its point across. To try and make a similar reference, my translation in place of “my batteries will be” is “I will keep myself going”… which is inspired by none other than the Duracell bunny. It just keeps going and going and going.
*****Note 5: Literally, “Stretching out my hand towards the crescent moon, these thoughts reach you”

Links:
ayaka Official Website (maintained by Warner Music Japan)
Purchase 三日月 online (via YesAsia Global)

Lyrics Translation: RED RIBBON Spiritual Song ~ AIDS Charity Project (AIDSチャリティ Project)

crystalise
Dec 28, 2007
5 comments

I originally tried to follow my normal format for titles in translations but the song's title is far too long; the post is supposed to be titled,

Lyrics Translation: RED RIBBON Spiritual Song ~umare kuru kodomotachi no tame ni~ (RED RIBBON Spiritual Song ~生まれ来る子供たちのために~) ~ AIDS Charity Project (AIDS チャリティ Project)

Yup... hecka long... (-___-") LOL

Anyhow, allow me to first start off by wishing everyone a very belated Christmas!! (^___^")

A good number of unexpected events had occurred recently which caused this post to be pushed back behind schedule. One thing led to another and now, I'm blogging from my hometown in Malaysia instead! (O___o)

Before I forget, I have to mention that I updated my post on Hikki's Beautiful World because I finally "solved" the mysterious lyrics conundrum... The solution was actually very simple... Skip over here and scroll all the way down to my comments about the song (not the user comments segment) to find out what happened, LOL (-___-")

Back on track, it's easy to blame life for the delay in publishing this post but the translation took an unexpectedly long time as well. As some will know, I usually go through my translations several times to try to balance them contextually and literally: that is, trying to recreate the song's imagery in English while retaining as much of the original Japanese language as possible.

For this song, I decided to do a full-blown contextual translation because it was, well, pretty long-winded if I retained the original words. The translation that will be posted keeps the meaning of the lyrics but not necessarily the words. Nonetheless, I did save the last literal-contextual translation attempt, so if you are looking more for this style of translation then skip forward to the user comments section. (^___^") Fear not, this is not a precedent for future translations though as I approach each one on a case-by-case basis.

Despite my trouble with the lyrics, this is a really awesome song. The AIDS Charity Project is given voice by ayaka, Kazumasa Oda, Miliyah Kato, TAKE from Skoop on Somebody, TERU from GLAY, Yo Hitoto, RYO from Ketsumeishi, and Wakadanna from Shonannokaze. The song itself gives off a very reggae atmosphere and it's really great to hear all the artists melding so well into their parts.

The result is a very powerful piece that delivers a punch of pain in imparting its lessons while empowering the listener to go the extra mile in the name of love.

Well, I think I've spoken enough about nothing, LOL - moving on to the song!

Song information:

Listen to a sample of RED RIBBON Spiritual Song ~生まれ来る子供たちのために~ (~1:50 mins)

RED RIBBON Spiritual Song ~生まれ来る子供たちのために~ (Sample, ~1:50 mins)

AIDS Charity Project (AIDS チャリティ Project)

6 comments

First appearance:
Track 1 from the AIDS Charity Project single, RED RIBBON Spiritual Song ~生まれ来る子供たちのために~ (Released 2007/11/28).

PV availability:
This song's PV is a rare jewel in that it doesn't only serve to promote the song but also brings a deeper level of appreciation to the musical experience. The imagery is very simple, but it is in that simplicity that its message is underscored: AIDS is not a complicated affair - it requires but only a simple solution. The PV also features a slight modification to the song's arrangement that actually works really well to bring all the emotions to heart. Altogether, the PV is extremely well-done and is certainly worth a watch - even if only for the very cute babies! LOL

Theme song:
This can be considered the Red Ribbon Campaign 2007 image song, which is a drive to promote AIDS awareness in Japan.

Alternative versions:
There are no alternative versions.

Comments:
Despite the long meandering title and lyrics, this song has a very simple message. "Be mindful of your actions and protect the ones you love." The song does have an agenda to raise awareness and educate its listeners; but this is done subtly through describing the personal struggle of an individual trying to come to terms with the aftermath of their actions.

The lyrics to the song are quite straightforward though they do make a slight modification that gives a refreshing take on protecting the people we love. The idea is expanded by the use of the word "給え" (tamae) which means "to bestow". This adds considerable weight because it takes the concept one step further by highlighting that protection is something that an individual has to actively give. In other words, protection is an active act that is driven by the impulse to defend those we love as opposed to a passive act of simply not bringing them harm.

It is this take on protecting others that touches the fundamental nature of love. For love may be many things but, in all its forms, love is protection and guardianship. That desire to protect could be expressed in many ways - from the provision of food, shelter and education, to the act of scolding or nagging, even anger and disappointment can be expressions of love. This understanding seems to recall the words of Canadian novelist Ralph Connor who said: "Love, you know, seeks to make happy rather than to be happy."

As for the music, the piece is clearly influenced by elements of reggae although Kazumasa Oda did pull off quite a stroke of genius by incorporating all the strengths of each artist into this one song. The song remains necessarily subdued until somewhere near the middle when everyone is singing in unison to what is the darkest hour of the piece. Suddenly, ayaka's voice is set free, dissipating the looming darkness to make way for tidings of reassurance and empowerment.

In all, this song is a well-formed piece that delivers a powerful and emotional experience to the listener while, at the same time, pushing forth a simple but relevant message.

With that, let us move forward to the lyrics of this very brilliantly executed piece. (^____^)v

Lyrics:
As always, Japanese lyrics are taken from uta-net.com, with (believe it or not) some corrections...

--------------------------------------
日本語:
RED RIBBON Spiritual Song ~生まれ来る子供たちのために~
--------------------------------------
歌手: AIDSチャリティ Project
作詞: 小田和正・桜井和寿 (Mr. Children)・RYO (ケツメイシ)・若旦那 (湘南乃風)
作曲: 小田和正
--------------------------------------
多くの過ちを僕もしたように
愛するこの国も戻れないもう戻れない
あのひとがそのたびに許してきたように
僕はこの国の明日をまた想う

ひろい空よ僕らは今どこにいる
頼るもの何もない
あの頃へ帰りたい

昔おやじの背中見て
むかつき一人実家飛び出
無理して背伸び純粋な目
くすんでいくのに苦しんで
大人になるな男になれ*
心の奥の声で歌え
貧乏暇なし上等だぜ
子供にその背中で教えたれ

ひろい空よ僕らは今どこにいる
生まれ来る子供らのために
何を語ろう

君よ愛するひとを守り給え
大きく手を拡げて
子供たちを抱き給え
ひとりまたひとり友は集まるだろう
ひとりまたひとりひとりまたひとり

真白な帆を上げて
旅立つ船に乗り
力の続く限り
ふたりでも漕いでゆく
その力を与え給え
勇気を与え給え

やっちゃならない誤ちを認めながらに
時は流れその中でページをめくる新たに
大切なのは何ができるか?って始める
それが人を呼んで皆同じ気持ち抱いてく
無関心はもういい行為すら放棄
しているならば子供たちの笑顔までは遠い
未知ならば一から僕ら力出して
始めよう自ら子供らの未来へ

愛するひとを守り給え
愛するひとを守り給え
愛するひとを守り給え...

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
RED RIBBON Spiritual Song ~umare kuru kodomotachi no tame ni~
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: AIDS chariti Project
sakushi: oda kazumasa・sakurai kazutoshi (Mr. Children)・RYO (ketsumeishi)・wakadanna (shonannokaze)
sakkyoku: oda kazumasa
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
ooku no ayamachi wo boku mo shita you ni
aisuru kono kuni mo modorenai   mou modorenai
ano hito ga sono tabi ni yurushite kita you ni
boku wa kono kuni no ashita wo mata omou

hiroi sora yo bokura wa ima doko ni iru
tayoru mono nani mo nai
ano koro e kaeritai

mukashi oyaji no senaka mite
mukatsuki hitori jikka tobide
muri shite senobi junsui na me
kusunde iku no ni kurushinde
otona ni naru na otoko ni nare
kokoro no oku no koe de utae
binbou hima nashi joutou daze
kodomo ni sono senaka de oshietare

hiroi sora yo bokura wa ima doko ni iru
umare kuru kodomora no tame ni
nani wo katarou

kimi yo aisuru hito wo mamori tamae
ookiku te wo hirogete
kodomotachi wo daki tamae
hitori mata hitori   tomo wa atsumaru darou
hitori mata hitori   hitori mata hitori

masshiro na ho wo agete
tabidatsu fune ni nori
chikara no tsudzuku kagiri
futari de mo koide yuku
sono chikara wo atae tamae
yuuki wo atae tamae

yaccha nara nai ayamachi wo mitome nagara ni
toki wa nagare sono naka de peeji wo mekuru arata ni
taisetsu na no wa nani ga dekiru ka? tte hajimeru
sore ga hito wo yonde minna onaji kimochi idaiteku
mukanshin wa mou ii   kouisura houki
shiteiru naraba   kodomotachi no egao made wa tooi
michi naraba ichi kara bokura chikara dashite
hajimeyou mizukara   kodomora no mirai e

aisuru hito wo mamori tamae
aisuru hito wo mamori tamae
aisuru hito wo mamori tamae...

-------------------------------------------------------
English:
RED RIBBON Spiritual Song ~For the Children~*
-------------------------------------------------------
Performed by: AIDS Charity Project
Lyricist: Kazumasa Oda, Kazutoshi Sakurai (Mr. Children), RYO (Ketsumeishi) & Wakadanna (Shonannokaze)
Composer: Kazumasa Oda
Translated by: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
I have made many mistakes in the past
And in doing so, I have burnt every bridge to return to this land of love.
The passage of time has sanctioned me with the gift of forgiveness,
And my mind drifts again to wonder about the future of this land.

Calling out to this big blue sky... Where have we come to?
I have nothing to lean on here...
My only wish is to return to a time before it all.

Before the time when I looked on at my dad’s back***
As he stormed out of the house in abhorrence...
I understand now that, in my naivety, I had gone too far.
As I continue my struggle to grow up into a man –
Into an adult – I begin to find that it’s so very dark in here...
Deep within me, I hear a lonely voice singing,
“There is no rest for the wicked”... I realise, I have to stay my course.
To my children, I must teach the reason behind my father’s disgust.

Calling out to this giant expanse of blue... Where have we come to now?
For those who have just come into the world,
What need we say?

Remember... that loving someone means promising to protect them.
Spread your arms wide to reach out
And embrace each child.
One by one, take faith in the people you will encounter.
One by one, person by person...

...Cast up a sail of pure white
And set out on a journey.
Let us row forward in this boat together,
To the limits of our strength, let us row.
Dedicate this strength to those you love.
Dedicate your courage to those you love.

We can turn to a new page in our lives,
So long as we come to terms with the mistakes we have made.
For myself, I have thought of what I could do...
Here, I called out to her... I know we still share the same feelings.
If we were to act indifferently, then we would be acting irresponsibly;
Showing how unfaithful we are to the joy that is our children's.
As the uncertain future beckons, let us start anew and forge forward...
From here on, let us run towards a future that belongs to our children.

...For those you love, promise a pledge of protection.
...For those you love, grant the gift of guardianship.
...For those you love, promise a pledge of protection...

Notes:
*Note 1: For some reason, this line does not appear in the uta-net transcription of the lyrics... I have added it back in, obviously, LOL (-___-“).

**Note 2: Literally “RED RIBBON Spiritual Song ~For the Sake of the Children who have Just Come into the World~”... (^___^")

***Note 3: Not sure what got into me but I mistranslated "father" to "grandfather" despite my going through the lyrics several times... This mistake could still be seen in the comments segment, since I can't edit that but I changed it in the translation post. Thanks to Sam for asking a question that raised an alarm in my head! LOL (^___^")

Links:
Red Ribbon Campaign 2007 Official Website (maintained by Yahoo! Japan)
Purchase RED RIBBON Spiritual Song ~生まれ来る子供たちのために~ online (via YesAsia Global)

Lyrics Translation: CLAP & LOVE ~ ayaka (絢香)

crystalise
Sep 24, 2007
4 comments

Although I can appreciate that many people will not appreciate this song - I absolutely love it! LOL... The clapping in the background and the overall raw feeling of the song simply captivates me. ayaka's execution of the song is totally awesome - all that attitude surging from her vocals and body language is an absolute joy to behold in her expression of the song. Best of all, this attitude translates well onto the stage as well which makes for awesome live performances. This comes as little surprise though since ayaka has always shown that she was made for the spotlight.

Nonetheless, there is little doubt that track 2, Why, is really the main track of this double A-side single. Despite CLAP & LOVE being the first track, the CD single itself was tied to the release of CRISIS CORE -Final Fantasy VII- more than the airing of the drama that this track is tied to. Regardless, I have really enjoyed both tracks for their radically different styles and lyrics, again - total awesomeness.

Anyhow, I managed to lock myself into a pretty restrictive translation schedule, LOL - after I am done with this batch of songs, I've decided to start uploading songs one by one as I translate them rather than in translation batches... Alas, my lack of foresight has caught up with me!

Moving forward - here is the very snazzy single, CLAP & LOVE.

Song information:

Listen to a sample of CLAP & LOVE (~1:20 mins)

CLAP & LOVE (Sample, ~1:20 mins)

ayaka (絢香)

First appearance:
Track 1 from ayaka's single, CLAP & LOVE/Why (Released 2007/09/05).

PV availability:
A PV is available for this track. It features plenty of ayaka with plenty of attitude alongside a cast of characters that range from a salary man to a mummy... The driving mentality behind CLAP & LOVE is simply unity in spite of differences and the PV does well to make that point.

Theme song:
The song is the theme song to the comedic drama, 地獄の沙汰もヨメ次第 ("jigoku no sata mo yome shidai"; trans: "even the affairs of hell needs a daughter-in-law to handle them"). The drama's title is a play on the Japanese proverb: 地獄の沙汰も金次第 which translates to "even the affairs of hell depend on money." In English proverbs, this would mean "money makes the mare go" or "money makes the world go round".

Alternative versions:
There are no alternative versions of CLAP & LOVE at this time.

Comments:
As previously mentioned, CLAP & LOVE can be understood as a symbol of unity in the face of stark differences. We may all clap collectively to cheer something on and we can all understand love despite our differences. Here, clapping depicts physical solidarity while loving portrays emotional solidarity between all of us.

The overall message of the song is to let go of our painful pasts and move on to reintegrate ourselves into society. Using the discourse of everyday city life, ayaka relates the lyrics back to the times we live in and observes our general disunion as we strive to outdo one another. Through this track, ayaka urges us to join a unified experience of joy and love that is found in breaking free from the chains of our past and competitiveness. The song does certainly draw a lot of parallels with the drama and even makes reference to the mother-in-law as well, LOL.

As always, ayaka's delivery is picture perfect - which is actually quite difficult in this song, especially given some parts of punctuation within the lyrics. The rawness of the music really makes ayaka's voice shine in this piece, which is probably why I've listened to it so many times over... I guess you could say that I am infatuated by that voice of hers - sorry Ariel, move over! (^___^") Nonetheless, I don't think it's an easy song to like but perhaps it is this division that highlights the message of this song - though we may not share the same opinion, we stand united nonetheless.

With that, it's time to do some clapping and loving ourselves!

Lyrics:
Japanese lyrics are from www.uta-net.com.

--------------------------------------
日本語:
CLAP & LOVE
--------------------------------------
歌手: 絢香
作詞: 絢香
作曲: 西尾芳彦・絢香
--------------------------------------
眩し過ぎる光に目を向ける
時計の針は7時を過ぎてる
青い空に戦いのスタートが鳴る

小さい頃に見えてたものが
わからなくなった今　それはなぜ？
変なテクニックばかり身につく

言葉がグルグル回る
やっぱり元に戻しておこうか
行ったり来たりの毎日

広がる世界の中で
何度探しても答えは一緒
笑って　愛し合って　CLAP & LOVE

あれこれと人のことを言うが
プライドと甘えがぶつかるの
人は面倒くさい　でも寂しがり屋

計画通りになんかいかない
人生　だから面白いんじゃないの？
寄り道で見つけた　隠れ家

なぐり書きにした言葉
頭のどっか隅に置き忘れ
後悔して　気づいて　CLAP & LOVE

C'mon c'mon ……

広がる世界の中で
何度探しても答えは一緒
笑って　愛し合って　CLAP & LOVE

なぐり書きにした言葉
頭のどっか隅に置き忘れ
後悔して　気づいて　CLAP & LOVE

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
CLAP & LOVE
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: ayaka
sakushi: ayaka
sakkyoku: nishio yoshihiko・ayaka
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
mabushi sugiru hikari ni me wo nukeru
tokei no hari wa shichiji wo sugiteru
aoi sora ni tatakai no sutaato ga naru

chiisai goro ni mieteta mono ga
wakaranaku natta ima   sore wa naze?
hen na tekunikku bakari mi ni tsuku

kotoba ga guruguru mawaru
yappari moto ni modoshite okou ka
ittari kitari no mainichi

hirogaru sekai no naka de
nando sagashite mo kotae wa issho
waratte   aishi atte   CLAP & LOVE

are kore to hito no koto wo iu ga
puraido to amae ga butsukaru no
hito wa mendoi kusai   demo samishigari ya

keikaku doori ni nanka ikanai
jinsei   dakara omoshiroin ja nai no?
yori michi de mitsuketa   kakure ga

naguri kaki ni shita kotoba
atama no dokka sumi ni oki wasure
koukai shite   kidzuite   CLAP & LOVE

C’mon c’mon... ...

hirogaru sekai no naka de
nando sagashite mo kotae wa issho
waratte   aishi atte   CLAP & LOVE

naguri kaki ni shita kotoba
atama no dokka sumi ni oki wasure
koukai shite kidzuite   CLAP & LOVE

-------------------------------------------------------
English:
CLAP & LOVE
-------------------------------------------------------
Performed by: ayaka
Lyricist: ayaka
Composer: Yoshihiko Nishio & ayaka
Translated by: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
My eyes lock on to the exceedingly bright light
As the hands of my watch point past the stroke of 7.
High above, that big blue sky chimes in the start of the battle.

Those things that I’ve watched as a kid,
I don’t really understand them anymore – I wonder why that is?
It seems that my quirky ways are the only things that have stuck to me.

With so much talk going around these days,
Does it ever return to the way it originally started?
...Especially in these days with everything running back and forth.

No matter how many times you search
In this ever-expanding world, the answer will still be
To laugh, to love one another, and to clap and love together.

With so many different types of people in the world,
Those who manage to slap pride and dependence together
Are those who are truly bothersome – and yet, they can’t stand being alone.

Things don’t really ever seem to go as planned
In this life – which helps in adding spice to life, no?
It was on a side track that I found this little hiding place for myself.

Some messily scribbled words
Have been left in some corner within my head.
I’ve regretted, moved on, and realise – it’s time to clap and love.

C’mon... c’mon...

How ever much you look
In this broadening world, the answer is still
To laugh, to love one another, and to clap and love together.

In a corner inside my head
Some scribbled words have been left behind.
I’ve regretted, moved on, and realise – now is the time to clap and love.

Links:
ayaka Official Website (maintained by Warner Music Japan)
Purchase CLAP & LOVE/Why online (via YesAsia Global)

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