1 post tagged “andrew olmsted”
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)
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)
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)
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