He was born Minoru Ōno (大野 穣), in a little town in Hokkaidō, to a fisherman. He was very poor because of the effects of World War II, and he was forced to work while he studied.
When he was about to graduate from high school, he decided to become a singer. His debut single was called "Bungacha-Bushi," which was released in 1962.
He has many famous songs, including "Namida Bune" (1962), "Kyōdai Jingi" (1965), "Yosaku" (1978) and "Kita no Ryōba" (1986). His 1965 song "Kaerokana" was written by lyricist Rokusuke Ei and composer Hachidai Nakamura. He is very popular in Japan partly due to his looks of a physical laborer, and he mostly sings the spirit of Japan's working class and rural laborer. He often appears on Kōhaku Uta Gassen, a TV program at the end of the year where many major Japanese singers gather to perform.
Kitajima released single "Fūfu Isshō" (夫婦一生, lit. "Couple in a Lifetime"?) on January 1, 2010 at the age of 73. It debuted at #10 on the Japanese Oricon weekly single charts. It became the first single to reach Top 10 by a solo artist in his 70s in Oricon charts history.
Although Enka is becoming less popular with the younger generation, he is still Japan's most famous singer. He does a lot of concerts overseas as well, and he is contributing a lot of work to the culture of Japanese music.
In addition to his singing career, Kitajima acted in the role of Tatsugorō on the television series Abarenbō Shōgun. During the quarter-century life of the series, he also sang its theme songs.
与作
北島三郎 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
ヘイヘイホー ヘイヘイホー
こだまは かえるよ
ヘイヘイホー ヘイヘイホー
女房ははたを織る
トントントン トントントン
気だてのいい嫁(こ)だよ
トントントン トントントン
与作 与作 女房が呼んでいる
ホーホー ホーホー
藁(わら)ぶき屋根には
ヘイヘイホー ヘイヘイホー
星くずが 降るよ
ヘイヘイホー ヘイヘイホー
女房は藁を打つ
トントントン トントントン
働きものだよ
トントントン トントントン
与作 与作 もう夜が明ける
与作 与作 お山が呼んでいる
ホーホー ホーホー ホーホー
The song "Yosaku" by Misora Hibari portrays the daily life of Yosaku and his wife. The first verse describes Yosaku's task of cutting wood with the repetitive refrain of "Hey Hey Ho Ho" and the echo of the forest bouncing back the sound. Meanwhile, Yosaku's wife is inside their home working on her loom, emphasizing the traditional gender roles of the time. The second verse shifts the focus to the family's home, which has a thatched roof that allows stars to shine through, depicting a simple and humble lifestyle. Yosaku's wife is depicted toiling away, pounding straw, and fulfilling her duties as a hardworking wife.
Line by Line Meaning
与作は木をきる
Yosaku cuts down trees
ヘイヘイホー ヘイヘイホー
Hey hey ho! Hey hey ho!
こだまはかえるよ
An echo echoes
女房ははたを織る
His wife weaves cloth
トントントン トントントン
Tap tap tap tap
気だてのいい嫁(こ)だよ
She's a good-hearted wife
与作与作もう日が暮れる
Yosaku, Yosaku, the sun is setting
与作与作女房が呼んでいる
Yosaku, Yosaku, his wife is calling him
ホーホーホーホー
Hoo hoo hoo hoo
藁(わら)ぶき屋根には
The thatched roof
星くずが降るよ
Is covered in stardust
女房は藁を打つ
His wife threshes straw
働きものだよ
She's a hard worker
与作与作もう夜が明ける
Yosaku, Yosaku, the night is breaking
与作与作お山が呼んでいる
Yosaku, Yosaku, the mountains are calling him
ホーホーホーホー
Hoo hoo hoo hoo
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: nanasawa kiminori
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tatsuonakamura2891
カラオケレッスンを始めて3年経ちます。
練習曲に選らんで、何度か98点代が出るようになりました。
現在68才になった今、人生の応援歌になり、与作を歌う時に、幸福感が増します。
足に不自由さを感じますが、歌っている時は、全身全霊で歌います。
与作が世に出た時は、変な歌だなぁと思いましたが、いざ練習曲にしてみると身体が乗り出します。
この歌と出逢えた事は、幸運です。
北島三郎さん、気力の続く限り曲を歌い、新曲を発表して下さい。
あなたは、庶民の宝です。
国民栄誉賞受賞に匹敵します。
@TahirGurashi
Old is GOLD. I remember first time I heard this song was back in the 80s and actually it was performed by the legendary James Last orchestra. Then I heard it from the living legend Kitajima Saburo. Every single time I hear it it just take me back to the lovely days that will never come back. Thanks Mr. Saburo and R.I.P.. James Last
@mr.robinson7083
So touching ! They know how to write music. Thanks.
@drugaszostka9668
Przyjemnie się tego słucha.
@user-sz6tp3bh5e
モノマネで誇張されたものしか知らなかったので
本物はとっても胸に染み渡るような歌だったんだなと分かりました。ありがとうございます
@Jackal3150
小学生の頃にヘイヘイホーと多分にバカにしながらよくクラスで歌っていましたが今になりこの作品の凄み、偉大さが身に染みます。当たり前に日々重労働に愚痴も弱音も吐かず勤労して厳しい自然を生き抜く夫婦の尊い姿を歌い上げるサブちゃんに涙が溢れます。
@user-zc7ls8cx8x
それを美徳としてる所に年齢を感じる
@yokohama_kinbae
愚痴もは弱音も吐いていいんだぜ？生きてるだけで
@randomgameplays9544
I love this song so much!
@helen60921
It was my grandpa's favorite song...I miss him so much by listening this song.
@user-sk2qb1ff7c
情景が目の前に広がる。「与作」は北島三郎さんでなければ「名曲」にならない。