戻り川
伍代夏子 Lyrics

These lyrics are emotional and depict a sad story of a woman who is unable to be with the man she loves, even though she deeply desires it. She expresses that if she shows him her tears, he would be troubled, but inside she is burning with the pain of unrequited love. As she tries to pretend to sleep in the darkness, she hears the fading sound of his footsteps, and the wind seems to be weeping as she runs after him. The river of return or the "戻り川" is a metaphor for their relationship - no matter how much they love each other, they cannot be together.

The second verse conveys her physical and emotional pain contrasting with her deep love for him. She describes her passion as a flame that burns bright and hurts, but she is willing to endure it if only he would hold her. Her feelings of love and hate intermingle within her, and the desire to be with him is so strong that she cannot face life without him. She concedes that happiness is not something that can be taken or stolen, but she waits for him with unrelenting hope at the river of return, where they once shared fond memories.