Lyrics Translation: ashita hareru kana (明日晴れるかな) ~ Kuwata Keisuke (桑田佳祐)

This song seemed like something I just had to translate after watching the drama プロポーズ大作戦 ("puropoozu daisakusen"; trans: "The War to Propose"; English title: "Operation Love"). When I first heard the song I thought it sounded very much like something that the band Southern All-Stars would churn out, so it came to my surprise to discover that the artist was actually Kuwata Keisuke.

Upon a little more investigation however, it seems that I was really not all that far off the mark. Kuwata is the lead vocalist and songwriter for long-time band Southern All-Stars. This song has obviously placed his name into my radar scope, but since I don't intend on translating more of his music he will be placed into a new category - "Translation: Other" (this segment refers to this same blog on my Windows Live Spaces account here). There will be times when I feel compelled to translate something out of the normal artists that I tend to follow and this category will serve that purpose nicely.

The drama is from the last season and boasts an all-star cast that seems somehow incompatible, but it was this odd mix that made it a "must-watch" since it brought two of my favourite actresses together into leading and supporting roles. The drama itself is an investigation into the concept of regretting things undone and also fate. Indeed, there is plenty of frustration in watching Yamapi (the lead actor's nickname) try to correct his actions and change the hands of fate - he is an idiot no doubt, but as the drama itself notes, it's impossible to hate him. And although I usually don't approve of people trying to steal someone who is already engaged to be married (actually, she did get married!), I found myself having no reservations in my support for Yamapi (which only makes it worse since, as I said, his character is an idiot)!

Anyhow, the song itself is a great song and one that does well to conjure up the emotions from the drama. Indeed, rarely does heartache and regret ever sound so good when put to music, LOL.

Listen to a sample of 明日晴れるかな (~2:20 mins)

明日晴れるかな (Sample, ~2:20 mins)

Kuwata Keisuke (桑田佳祐)

PV availability:
Yes, a PV was made for the single in 2007.

Theme song:
This is the theme song to the drama: プロポーズ大作戦 ("puropoozu daisakusen")

Alternative versions:
There are no alternative versions that I have come across.

Comments:
The title of the song translates to "Perhaps tomorrow will be a better day" and though it may seem like an encouraging statement, the song itself is more focused on getting things done on the now. The ending of the song seems more like a criticism of the phrase and having children vocalise that chorus probably emphasises the belief that there is still plenty of time ahead of us when, in fact, our lives do not extend to eternity. Still, the lyrics does understand that we are not ourselves capable of forging our own future - noting that the key to miracles is actually being held by another person and not the person who hopes for change. The themes of dependency and regret is very strong throughout the song as well as the difficulty in trying to right the things that have gone wrong. The melancholic flow of the music coupled with the painfully worded lyrics do make it hard to listen to sometimes but it is the feeling it elicits that stands as testament to the strong expression of the song.

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

--------------------------------------
日本語:
明日晴れるかな
--------------------------------------
歌手: 桑田佳祐
作詞: 桑田佳祐
作曲: 桑田佳祐
--------------------------------------
熱い涙や恋の叫びも
輝ける日はどこへ消えたの？
明日(あす)もあてなき道を彷徨うなら
これ以上元には戻れない

耳を澄ませば心の声は
僕に何を語り掛けるだろう？
今は汚れた街の片隅にいて
あの頃の空を想うたびに

神より賜えし孤独やトラブル
泣きたい時は泣きなよ
これが運命(さだめ)でしょうか？
あきらめようか？
季節は巡る魔法のように

Oh, Baby.　No, maybe.
｢愛｣失くして｢情｣も無い？
嘆くようなフリ
世の中のせいにするだけ

Oh, baby. You're maybe.
｢哀｣無くして｢楽｣は無い
幸せのFeeling
抱きしめて　One more time.

或りし日の己れを愛するために
思い出は美しくあるのさ
遠い過去よりまだ見ぬ人生は
夢ひとつ叶えるためにある

奇跡のドアを開けるのは誰？
微笑みよ　もう一度だけ
君は気付くでしょうか？
その鍵はもう
君の手のひらの上に

Why, baby? Oh, tell me.
｢愛｣失くして｢憎｣も無い？
見て見ないようなフリ
その身を守るため？

Oh, baby. You're maybe.
もう少しの勝負じゃない！
くじけそうな　Feeling
乗り越えて　One more chance.

I talk to myself…

Oh, baby. No, maybe.
｢愛｣失くして｢情｣も無い？
嘆くようなフリ
残るのは後悔だけ！

Oh, baby. Smile baby.
その生命(いのち)は永遠(とわ)じゃない
誰もがひとりひとり胸の中で
そっと囁いているよ

｢明日(あした)晴れるかな・・・｣

遥か空の下

-------------------------------------------------------
romaji:
ashita hareru kana
-------------------------------------------------------
kashyu: kuwata keisuke
sakushi: kuwata keisuke
sakkyoku: kuwata keisuke
romaji: crystalise
-------------------------------------------------------
atsui namida ya koi no sakebi mo
kagayakeru hi wa doko e kieta no?
asu mo ate naki michi wo samayou nara
kore ijou moto ni wa modorenai

mimi wo sumaseba kokoro no koe wa
boku ni nani wo katari kakeru darou?
ima wa yogoreta machi no katasumi ni ite
ano koro no sora wo omou tabi ni

kami yori tamaeshi kodoku ya toraburu
nakitai toki wa naki na yo
kore ga sadame deshou ka?
akirameyou ka?
kisetsu wa meguru mahou no you ni

Oh, Baby. No, maybe.
“ai” nakushite “jou” mo nai?
nageku you na furi
yo no naka no sei ni suru dake

Oh, baby. You’re maybe.
“ai” nakushite “raku” wa nai
shiawase no   Feeling
dakishimete   One more time.

arishi hi no onore wo aisuru tame ni
omoide wa utsukushiku aru no sa
tooi kako yori mada minu jinsei wa
yume hitotsu kanaeru tame ni aru

kiseki no doa wo akeru no wa dare?
hohoemi yo   mou ichido dake
kimi wa kidzuku deshou ka?
sono kagi wa mou
kimi no te no hira no ue ni

Why, baby? Oh, tell me.
“ai” nakushite “zou” mo nai?
mite minai you na furi
sono mi wo mamoru tame?

Oh, baby. You’re maybe.
mou sukoshi no shoubu ja nai!
kujikesou na   Feeling
nori koete   One more chance.

I talk to myself…

Oh, baby. No, maybe.
“ai” nakushite “jou” mo nai?
nageku you na furi
nokoru no wa koukai dake!

Oh, baby. Smile baby.
sono inochi wa towa ja nai
dare mo ga hitori hitori mune no naka de
sotto sasayaiteiru yo

“ashita hareru kana…”

haruka sora no shita

----------------------------------------
English:
Perhaps Tomorrow will be a Better Day
----------------------------------------
Performed by: Kuwata Keisuke
Lyricist: Kuwata Keisuke
Composer: Kuwata Keisuke
Translated by: crystalise
----------------------------------------
Where have those brilliant days of
Warm tears and confessions of love disappeared to?
Wandering this endless road even as tomorrow approaches,
It becomes clearer that there is no way to return to where we started.*

If I listen closely to the voice that rests in my heart,
What will it say to me?
Even now, when I am at the corner of this broken path,
I think back to the sky that we used to gaze at.

Having only been granted solitude and strife from God,
It seems alright to cry when I feel like crying.
Could this be destiny?
Should I just let go?
The magical rotation of the seasons appear to mirror my trapped emotions.**

Oh, Baby, no, could it be that maybe
Losing “love” also means losing “emotions”?
The pretence that seems like grieving
Was brought on only by the expectations of the world.

Oh, baby, perhaps maybe
Without “sorrow” there is no “joy”.
This feeling of happiness,
I want to hold on to it one more time.

These beautiful memories live
So that you may love me one day.
Unlike the days that have come and long gone,
My uncharted life ahead exists only to make one dream come true.

Who could open this door of miracles?
Please baby, smile for me just one more time.
Are you only beginning to realise it?
The key to the door is already
In the palm of your hands.

Why is it, baby? Please tell me,
If losing “love” will also mean I lose “hate”?
Acting as if I don’t know a thing,
Was I trying to shelter myself from the pain of acceptance?***

Oh, baby, maybe
This isn’t just another little contest!
I have to get past this daunting feeling
And give myself one more chance.

I say to myself...

Oh, baby, no, could it be that maybe
Losing “love” also means losing “emotions”?
This guise that seems like grief
Is merely the remnant of my past regrets!

Oh, baby, smile for me baby.
Life does not continue unceasingly.
Yet deep inside their hearts,
Everybody is gently whispering

“Perhaps tomorrow will be a better day…”

Underneath this great expanse of distant sky.

Notes:
*Note 1: Literally, “Things are can no longer be repaired any more”
**Note 2: Literally, “Like the magical rotation of seasons.” It is important to understand that the absence of a subject is normal in Japanese, but not English (hence literal translations are actually very hard to understand). The metaphor of the seasons could be thought of as feeling the hope of spring, warmth of summer, inevitability of autumn, and cold of winter – LOL, well, that’s how I see it at least.
***Note 3: Literally, “Is this for the sake of protecting myself?”

Southern All-Stars official website (maintained by JVC Music)
Purchase 明日晴れるかな online (via YesAsia Global)