Aya takes the Sunday off from her blog like she said she would... no entries today.
But I suppose now is a good a time as any to post this which has been on my computer since... January 17th! I love this song and this translation was supposed to go onto my Hello! Online blog but never finished writing my blurb. It feels slightly wrong to post it now as it's a spring song but only slightly...
I used lyrics found on reputable internet sites so they should be official. There's a Spanish translation on the internet somewhere. There may even have been an English one since I wrote this but I haven't looked.
Anyway, the important information:
1) 一匁 (ichi monme) is a virtually obsolete unit of weight with no English equivalent. I say virtually obsolete because it's still a recognised unit to trade pearls in Japan. Also virtually obsolete because it's the weight of one of a 5 yen coin. The 匁 was officially declared as 3.75g in 1891 by the Meiji administration which is the weight it still is today. Before then it had fluctuated as high as 3.756521g to as low as 3.7462g (is anyone going to check those figures?). Flowers used to be sold by this weight, hence 花一匁 (
hana ichi monme - one monme of flowers)
2) 花一匁 is also a children's game which the song makes heavy reference to. It's the idea of having links in a chain (of two in the song). Apparantly the game is based on the practice of poor families selling children (especially daughters for marriage) in order to gain some income and reduce the number of mouths to feed. That's not what the song is about though.
花いちもんめ
One Monme of Flowers あの子が欲しい 花いちもんめ
I want that kid... one monme of flowers
あの子じゃ分からん 誰欲しい?
I don't know who 'that kid' is... who do you want?
もしも私が誰かのものになったなら
If I should become somebody else's
あなたは寂しいですか 寂しいですか?
Would you be lonely? Would you be lonely?
ひらりひらり 花びら舞い あなたの肩に今に止まります
Gently, gently, the flower petals flutter
Now coming to rest upon your shoulders
あなたのこと 選んだように 見えて 不意に切ない
As if you've been chosen
The sight of it suddenly aches my heart
ひらりひらり 花びら舞い 私の手から今こぼれます
Gently, gently, the flower petals flutter
Now overflowing from the palm of my hand
あなたがもし いなくなれば 私寂しいからね
If you were no longer with me
I'd be lonely, you see?
手と手つないで 花いちもんめ
Hand-in-hand... one monme of flowers
薄紅色の 頬寄せて
Bring your rosy cheek closer to mine
何か相談でもするように 深刻な顔で
As if you're consulting me, with a serious expression
好きだと言ってくれるの 言ってくれないの?
Will you tell me you love me? Or can't you say it?
ひらりひらり 花びら舞い あなたの前を過ぎて行きます
Gently, gently, the flower petals flutter
Passing by infront of you
照れたように 後ろ向いて すぐにまた振り返る
I look away bashfully
Then immediately turn around again
ひらりひらり 花びら舞い 音のない音楽奏でます
Gently, gently, the flower petals flutter
Playing a silent song
そっと耳を 澄ます様に あなたの答えを待つ
As if I'm carefully listening for it
I'll wait for your answer
ひらりひらり 花びら舞い 止め処ない時のひとひらごと
Gently, gently, the flower petals flutter
Together with the endless petals of time
あなたのこと 思ってきた こころ今受け止めて
I've been thinking about you
Now take my heart
ひらりひらり 花びら舞い あなたの肩にまた止まります
Gently, gently, the flower petals flutter
Again coming to a rest on your shoulders
あなたがもし いなくなれば 私寂しいからね
If you were no longer with me
I'd be lonely, you see?