Sayaka Mishiro (三代沙也可) is an enka singer from Oita, Japan. Mishiro was for … Read Full Bio ↴Sayaka Mishiro (三代沙也可) is an enka singer from Oita, Japan. Mishiro was for many years an office worker in Kobe, but after the earthquake of 1995, she relocated to Tokyo to pursue a career in music instead. Mishiro released her début single, "Sakegatari" (「酒がたり」) in 2002.

貴船川
三代沙也可 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

あなたほらあなた蛍です
儚(はかな)くて美しい
ゆめの世界を見るようですね
恋に身を灼(や)くこの私
待って待って死ぬほど待って
くずれるような夜だから
蛍になりたい貴船川(きぶねがわ)

あなたほらあなたあの蛍
追いかけて結ばれて
ゆるい川面を流れてゆくわ
おなじ運命でかまわない
いのちいのち女のいのち
男にあげて悔(く)いはない
蛍になりたい貴船川

憎さ愛(いと)しさ胸に秘め
待って待って一年待って

思いを遂(と)げる夜だから
蛍になりたい貴船川

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 三代沙也可's song 貴船川 speak of a desire to become a firefly and follow a beloved one down the river, even if it means leaving one's own life behind. The opening lines describe the beauty and fleetingness of the fireflies that the singer wishes to become. The second stanza speaks of the desire to be with the beloved, even if it means giving up one's life. The final stanza reveals the singer's inner turmoil, as they struggle between love and hatred, but ultimately decide to pursue their love and become a firefly to be with their beloved.

The song is a representation of a traditional Japanese folktale about a woman who turns into a firefly and follows her lover down the river. The song captures the beauty and tragedy of this story through poetic language and emotive vocals. The theme of sacrifice for love is also present, as the singer is willing to give up everything they know to follow their heart.

Overall, the lyrics to 貴船川 are a powerful expression of love and the lengths one is willing to go to be with the object of their affection. It is a poignant representation of a timeless folktale that remains relevant today.

Line by Line Meaning

あなたほらあなた蛍です
Look, it's you, just like a firefly - fleeting but beautiful

儚(はかな)くて美しい
Ephemeral, yet gorgeous

ゆめの世界を見るようですね
It feels like we're seeing a dreamlike world

恋に身を灼(や)くこの私
I'm burning up in flames of love

待って待って死ぬほど待って
Wait, wait, I'll wait until I die - it's such a long, crumbling night

くずれるような夜だから
It's a night so fragile, it feels like it could crumble any moment

蛍になりたい貴船川(きぶねがわ)
I want to become a firefly, dance on the Kifune River

あなたほらあなたあの蛍
Look, over there - you and that firefly

追いかけて結ばれて
Chasing and catching up to each other, bringing us together

ゆるい川面を流れてゆくわ
We'll float down the gentle river surface

おなじ運命でかまわない
We don't mind sharing the same destiny