The band was formed in 1965 by five university students consisting of Kazuhiko Katō, Osamu Kitayama, Yoshio Hiranuma (平沼義男), Mikio Inomura (Imura?) (井村幹生) and Maki Ashida (芦田雅喜), but Ashida and Inomura left the band at an early stage. The three-man band were active in the Kansai underground scene for some time, but in 1967 the band decided to split up, and to commemorate the split up they released the self-produced album Harenchi, in only 300 copies.
The same year, the album was picked up by radio stations in Kyoto and Kobe, where the songs "Imujingawa" and "Kaette kita yopparai" were played frequently. "Kaette kita yopparai" ("Drunkard Returns") sold over one and a quarter million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The band members continued their musical careers in different bands but had reunions with The Folk Crusaders and released some more albums.
In October 2009, Kazuhiko Kato committed suicide by hanging himself at the age of 62.
イムジン河
ザ・フォーク・クルセダーズ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
とうとうと流る
水鳥自由に むらがり飛びかうよ
我が祖国 南の地
おもいははるか
イムジン河 水清く
とうとうと流る
南の空へ
飛びゆく鳥よ 自由の使者よ
だれが祖国を
二つにわけてしまったの
誰が祖国をわけてしまったの
イムジン河 空遠く
虹よかかっておくれ
河よ おもいを伝えておくれ
ふるさとをいつまでも
忘れはしない
イムジン河 水清く
とうとうと流る
The song "イムジン河" by ザ・フォーク・クルセダーズ speaks about the Imjin River which flows freely and clearly, its banks filled with the sounds of waterfowl in flight. The river is located in the southern part of the singer's homeland and represents a reminder to cherish one's past and never forget it. The lyrics question who could have divided their country in two, leaving the singer longing for a unity that once was. The Imjin River is described as peaceful and pure, providing a sense of calm and clarity to its surroundings.
Through its lyrics, the song highlights the importance of freedom, both as it relates to the natural world (with birds as symbols of unencumbered living) and as it relates to the country itself. The Imjin River represents a nostalgic yearning for a simpler, more peaceful time in the past, when the country was united and free. The song encourages listeners to remember their roots and to always hold fast to their memories of their homeland, no matter where life may take them.
Line by Line Meaning
イムジン河 水清く
The Imjin River flows clearly and beautifully
とうとうと流る
It flows endlessly
水鳥自由に むらがり飛びかうよ
Wild ducks fly around in freedom, gathering in flocks
我が祖国 南の地
Our homeland is in the southern land
おもいははるか
Our thoughts are far away
北の大地から
From the northern land
南の空へ
To the southern sky
飛びゆく鳥よ 自由の使者よ
Oh flying birds, you are the messengers of freedom
だれが祖国を
Who divided our homeland
二つにわけてしまったの
Into two pieces?
イムジン河 空遠く
The Imjin River extends far into the sky
虹よかかっておくれ
Please let the rainbow appear
河よ おもいを伝えておくれ
River, please convey my thoughts
ふるさとをいつまでも
I will never forget my homeland
忘れはしない
Forever
イムジン河 水清く
The Imjin River flows clearly and beautifully
とうとうと流る
It flows endlessly
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Se Yong Pak, Jong Han Ko, Takeshi Matsuyama
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-so3hz6di2n
当時私は高1でした。学校帰りホームの駅で友だち3人、毎日歌っては涙😢したあの日が懐かしく、今また涙が出ます😂
@user-id5ph9hp8b
この切ない想い、いつまで続く!誰も答えてはくれない!
@MrX-yl2ek
当時放送禁止になり、名曲悲しくてやりきれないが生まれた。
@user-ze7kd2tw3p
中学２年の寒い冬。駄菓子屋の鉄板で、もんじゃを食べていたら、ラジオから、この歌が聴こえてきました。すぐに放送禁止、発禁となりましたが、私のフォーク三昧のきっかけとなった曲で忘れられません。
@user-lj1lp8gr9e
😅😅
@user-ko6ek9vv7k
なぜ、放送禁止になったのですか？
@user-uy7er3hm7n
高校２年生のとき、現国の授業で先生が「北山修も詩人だ」とおっしゃったこと、50年以上経った今も鮮明に覚えています😂
@user-gq1kd7po3f
切なく、もどかしい心境がよく表現された歌。
@user-pb9zv6fm5e
初めてこの曲を耳にした時の衝撃を今も忘れられません。そしてそれから、何度も何度もむさぼり聞きました。何十年も前のことです。
@user-ul2ru2gi2u
パッチギで知った曲
心が落ち着きます☺️