花あかり
上條恒彦 Lyrics

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花あかり花あかり
古い桜の花あかり
不知火の海辺
水俣の湯堂の
大きな桜見下ろす
小さな入り江
潮の中に
清水盛り上がり湧く

虹色のベラがさざめく
貝がつぶやく
天草の船人たちも
桜の魂に呼び寄せられて
漕ぎ入れて
ただもう夢見心地で
渚の井戸で
水をもらって花見をしたと
漕ぎ入れた舟のままで
夢見心地の花見を
花あかり花あかり
きよ子の手はねじれ
きよ子の足はねじれ
どうやってすべくり降りたか
土の庭に
花びら散り敷く
土の庭に
花びらがきよ子を包む
きよ子が微笑む
曲がった指ですけん
花びらは拾われまっせん
ねじりつけてなあ
花もかわいそうに
抱き上げて
花びら拾うてやりましたが
その年きよ子は死にました
二十八でした
花あかり花あかり
桜咲けば
きよ子の魂の来て
花見よるかもしれんと
線香ばあげよりましたが
思えばせつのうして
思えばせつのうして
母は桜を切りました
きよ子のたむけに
花あかり花あかり

古い桜の花あかり
花あかり

Overall Meaning

The song 花あかり by 上條恒彦 is a beautifully poetic piece discussing the idea of cherry blossoms and their significance in Japanese culture. The song discusses the idea of the cherry blossoms being a symbol of life and death, as well as a way to connect with the spirits of those who have passed away. The first stanza describes various scenes of cherry blossoms, both old and new, in different settings. The second stanza is about a woman named Kiyoko who twisted her hands and feet and eventually died at the age of 28, and how her mother cut down the cherry tree in her memory. The last stanza is about the idea that if the cherry blossoms bloom, it may be a sign that Kiyoko's spirit is present and watching over.

The song is full of beautiful imagery and symbolism, the various scenes of cherry blossoms being used as a representation of life and death, and a way to connect with loved ones who have passed on. The mention of various locations, such as the ocean and the shrine, create a sense of wanderlust and a desire to see these beautiful places.

Line by Line Meaning

花あかり花あかり
Flower light, flower light

古い桜の花あかり
The flower light of an old cherry blossom tree

不知火の海辺
By the shore of the phosphorescent sea

水俣の湯堂の
At the bathhouse in Minamata

大きな桜見下ろす
Overlooking the large cherry blossom tree

小さな入り江
The small inlet

潮の中に
In the tide

清水盛り上がり湧く
The clear water surges and gushes

虹色のベラがさざめく
The rainbow-colored beluh gushes

貝がつぶやく
The shell murmurs

天草の船人たちも
The sailors of Amakusa also