Music

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Let’s sing Japanese songs in English –July 2019
This month’s song is “Thread of Life”(the original Japanese title “ITO”)

Ito (糸) - Thread of Life” Music and lyrics written and sung by Miyuki Nakajima English lyrics written by Hidekazu Morishima I present to you this month a song written, composed and sung by Miyuki Nakajima and the name of the song is “Ito”, meaning “Thread”. The title I gave to the English version is “Thread of Life”. The song is immensely popular and sung often in the wedding ceremonies and subsequent parties. The song is sung by friends of the bride and groom, their parents, or even by themselves. The reason for the popularity is, I think, the appeal the lyrics have, and I tried to convey what Ms. Nakajima is saying. Please note that there are small differences in the lyrics I get subtitled on the screen and what I sing. I sang to my original lyrics while I made minor changes to them afterwards and got them reflected on the display. So, please sing as per subtitles.

“Thread Of Life (糸)”

  • Original Japanese lyrics and music by Miyuki Nakajima
  • English lyrics by Hidekazu Morishima

Why would a boy bump into a girl he loves?
He’ll never get to know any true answer to it.
When would a girl come ‘cross a boy she cares?
She’ll never get to know any real secret to it.

Where has each of the two ever been living under a far and wide sky?
There’ll be two lines of thread to trace –

He’s the warp of light blue threads,
She’s the woof of crimson threads.
What they get by weaving threads
Is a cloth that may provide a warm wrap to someone someday…

Why does a man have to go on living?
You’ll always get a sore sense when you ask in your heart.
When you run after your dream, and cave in,
You’ll always get a scar left inside your teary heart.

Is it of any worth? Is it of any help? You may be stranded in the dark.
There’ll be two lines of thread to trace –

You’re the warp of light blue threads,
She’s the woof of crimson threads.
What you get by weaving threads,
Is a cloth that may protect that sore wound for someone someday…

You’re the warp of light blue threads,
I’m the woof of crimson threads.
What we get by weaving threads
Is the tender love of life – and it’s perhaps what they call a happy life

“Thread Of Life (糸)
covered by Masaharu Fukuyama”

  • Original Japanese lyrics and music by Miyuki Nakajima
  • English lyrics by Hidekazu Morishima

This song, as covered by an equally popular singer-songwriter, Masaharu Fukuyama, and the accompanying music (by guitar) sound a little more folksy as compared to the original version sung by Miyuki Nakajima which is basically giving a band accompaniment, sounding a bit more formal and grandeur. Whichever you like to sing in, it’s up to you – give it a go

Why would a boy bump into a girl he loves?
He’ll never get to know any true answer to it.
When would a girl come ‘cross a boy she cares?
She’ll never get to know any real secret to it.

Where has each of the two ever been living under a far and wide sky?
There’ll be two lines of thread to trace –

He’s the warp of light blue threads,
She’s the woof of crimson threads.
What they get by weaving threads
Is a cloth that may provide a warm wrap to someone someday…

Why does a man have to go on living?
You’ll always get a sore sense when you ask in your heart.
When you run after your dream, and cave in,
You’ll always get a scar left inside your teary heart.

Is it of any worth? Is it of any help? You may be stranded in the dark.
There’ll be two lines of thread to trace –

You’re the warp of light blue threads,
She’s the woof of crimson threads.
What you get by weaving threads,
Is a cloth that may protect that sore wound for someone someday…

You’re the warp of light blue threads,
I’m the woof of crimson threads.
What we get by weaving threads
Is the tender love of life – and it’s perhaps what they call a happiness.
― it’s perhaps what they call a happiness.