下町育ち
笹みどり Lyrics

The lyrics to the song "下町育ち" by 笹みどり are a poignant commentary on the struggles of growing up in a red-light district. The first verse highlights the fact that even though these women may learn to play the shamisen and dance in traditional ways, they don't need to be taught how to cry. This implies that they have experienced enough pain and heartache in their lives that crying comes naturally to them, regardless of their musical or dancing talents.

The second verse delves deeper into the struggles of growing up in the red-light district. The main character cannot call her own mother "mother," and cannot hold her own child. She is weighed down by the constant duality of truth and lies, and is acutely aware of the role money plays in her life. Despite knowing that money rules the "floating world," or the world of the pleasure quarters, she also knows that there are some things that cannot be bought with money, such as the love and affection of her own child.

The final line of the song talks about hiding one's true feelings and putting on a brave face, which is a necessary survival skill for women growing up in this environment. The "舞扇" or dance fan, symbolizes the artifice and pretense that women in the red-light district must maintain, all while hiding their strength and determination to overcome their circumstances.