石森敏行 (Toshiyuki Ishi… Read Full Bio ↴宮本浩次 (Hiroji Miyamoto) aka "Miyaji" : Vocal, Guitar
石森敏行 (Toshiyuki Ishimori) aka "Ishi-kun" : Guitar
高緑成治 (Seiji Takamidori) aka "Sei-chan" : Bass
冨永義之 (Yoshiyuki Tominaga) aka "Tomy" : Drums
エレファントカシマシ (The Elephant Kashimashi aka "Ele-kashi") is a Japanese Alternative rock band, originally formed in Tokyo by Miyamoto, Ishimori and Tominaga when they were in junior high school (1981). Takamidori, who was Tominaga's friend in his high school, joined the band in 1986.
Their work can be divided into two major stylistic periods: the "Epic Sony years" (1988-1994, the albums Elephant Kashimashi through Tokyo No Sora) and the "Pony Canyon & Faithful, EMI Music, Universal Music years" (1996-present, the album Kokoro Ni Hana Wo onward). A major change in songwriting, production, and general playing style (especially Miyamoto's vocals) occurred along with this label switch.
昔の侍
エレファントカシマシ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
自ら命を断つことで
自らを生かす道を
自ら知ってたという
戦う術を失う
我らは いたずらにその身体
秋風にさらしている
冬支度済まぬ 寒き町と
夢遠き我が姿
ああ 重ねて消えた
我が姿は重ねて消えた
ああ 紅き空 登り来る朝日よ
ああ さよならさ
我らが青き日々よ
さよならさ
夢遠き我が姿
ああ 重ねて消えた
我が姿は重ねて消えた
たなびく雲 沈み行く夕日よ
ああ さよならさ
滅びし日本の姿よ
さよならさ
我らが青き夢よ
さよならさ
我らが青き日々よ
昔の侍は
自ら命を断つことで
自らを生かす道を
自ら知ってたという
知ってたという
さらば遠き我らが日々よ
さらば友よ
In the song "昔の侍" by エレファントカシマシ, the lyrics depict a reflection on the past, specifically about the samurais of old. The opening lines suggest that these samurais were aware of the path to truly live by willingly sacrificing their own lives. It implies that they understood the value of self-sacrifice and how it could bring meaning to their existence.
The next lines evoke a sense of loss and regret in the present time. It speaks of losing the ability to fight and protect oneself, leaving their bodies exposed to the autumn winds. The repetition of this line emphasizes the vulnerability and helplessness they feel in their current state.
The following lines describe a cold town where winter preparations have not been made, creating a distant dream-like image of their own selves. The repetition of the phrase "ああ 重ねて消えた" (Ah, overlapped and vanished) signifies the fading away of their former selves, suggesting a longing for the past and a feeling of being lost in the present.
The chorus says farewell to the blue days and dreams they once had, bidding goodbye to a distant version of themselves. The mention of the red sky and rising sun in the morning implies the passing of time and the inevitability of change. The song concludes with a final farewell, acknowledging the memories and friendships that will be left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
昔の侍は
The samurai of old
自ら命を断つことで
By taking their own lives
自らを生かす道を
They knew how to keep themselves alive
自ら知ってたという
They possessed this knowledge themselves
戦う術を失う
We have lost the way of fighting
我らは いたずらにその身体
We expose our bodies in vain
秋風にさらしている
To the autumn wind
冬支度済まぬ 寒き町と
In this cold town, unprepared for winter
夢遠き我が姿
My distant dream-like figure
ああ 重ねて消えた
Oh, it has merged and disappeared
我が姿は重ねて消えた
My figure has merged and disappeared
ああ 紅き空 登り来る朝日よ
Oh, crimson sky and rising sun
ああ さよならさ
Oh, farewell
我らが青き日々よ
Our youthful days
夢遠き我が姿
My distant dream-like figure
ああ 重ねて消えた
Oh, it has merged and disappeared
我が姿は重ねて消えた
My figure has merged and disappeared
たなびく雲 沈み行く夕日よ
Oh, drifting clouds and setting sun
ああ さよならさ
Oh, farewell
滅びし日本の姿よ
The form of Japan that has perished
さよならさ
Farewell
我らが青き夢よ
Our youthful dreams
さよならさ
Farewell
我らが青き日々よ
Our youthful days
昔の侍は
The samurai of old
自ら命を断つことで
By taking their own lives
自らを生かす道を
They knew how to keep themselves alive
自ら知ってたという
They possessed this knowledge themselves
知ってたという
They knew
さらば遠き我らが日々よ
Farewell, our distant days
さらば友よ
Farewell, my friend
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Hiroji Miyamoto
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind