The first Japanese song I’d like to introduce in this blog is an old Japanese folk song Kanashikute Yarikirenai (Too sad to go on). It was a big hit by a group called Folk Crusaders In 1960’s. When we Japanese say “folk music”, we refer to western style folk music, mostly influenced by American folk or country music. It is not traditional Japanese folk music.
In the postwar Japan, young generation had grown very fond of Western pop music. American folk music was one of the most influential. Young people imitated its style and many folk singers or bands appeared. Among such groups was the Folk Crusaders.
This sad ballad, whose lyric is written by a famous Japanese poet, Hachiro Sato, sings about an anxious mind of adolescence. The composer of this song, leader of the band as well, Kazuhiko Kato has played a prominent role in Japanese pop music ever since. He, however, committed a suicide this year. It might be his inner feeling just before his death that is being sung in this song.
The tune from youtube
(Translation)
"Too sad to go on"
Original lyrics: Hachiro Sato
The bright sky that breaks my heart
As I see it so far away
Tears rolling down as ever today
Too sad too sad
To go on any longer
Should I confess this frustration
To anyone?
White clouds are floating one by one
My dreams are tangled up
Drifting sadly as ever today
Too sad too sad
To go on any longer
Is there any rescue
To this everlasting vain
Held by the green deep forest
With the song of wind
I moan as ever today
Too sad too sad
To go on any longer
Will this flaming pain
Continue tomorrow?
(Original lyrics-Japanese)
"Kanashikute Yarikirenai"
Mune ni shimiru sora no kagayaki
Kyou mo tohku nagame
Namida o nagasu
Kanashikute kanashikute
Totemo yarikirenai
Kono yarusenai moyamoya o
Dareka ni tsugeyouka
Shiroi kumo wa nagare nagarete
Kyoumo yume wa motsure
Wabishiku yureru
Kanashikute kanashikute
Totemo yarikirenai
Kono kagirinai munashisa no
Sukui wa nai daroka
Fukai mori no midori ni dakare
Kyoumo kaze no uta ni
Shimijimi nageku
Kanashikute kanashikute
Totemo yarikirenai
Kono moetagiru kurushisa wa
Ashita mo tsuzukunoka
