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.
竹
北島三郎 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
竹は節目(ふしめ)で 伸びてゆく
人もまた 己(おの)れが道の一里塚
確かめながら 行けばいい
そこに出逢いも 彩(いろど)りも
ああ...粛々(しゅくしゅく)と
行けばいい
竹に托(たく)した 夢もある
人はみな 見果てぬ夢の夢灯り
しっかと抱いて 生きりゃいい
熱い想いを 温(ぬく)もりを
ああ...粛々(しゅくしゅく)と
行けばいい
花の咲くのは ただ一度
竹は寿命(いのち)が 尽きるとき
人もまた
上辺(うわべ)の花を飾るより
誠実(まこと)の花を 持てばいい
こころ豊かに しなやかに
ああ...粛々(しゅくしゅく)と
行けばいい
These lyrics are from the song "竹" (Take) by 北島三郎 (Saburou Kitajima). The song talks about the qualities of bamboo and applies them to human life and aspirations. It encourages individuals to grow and stretch themselves like bamboo, finding their own path and taking each moment as an opportunity to learn and confirm their direction. It suggests that in life, it is important to embrace encounters and experiences, appreciating the various colors they bring. The lyrics advise individuals to move forward steadily and quietly, like the sound of bamboo swaying in the wind.
The second verse speaks of yearning for the moon's world and dreams that individuals entrust to bamboo. It highlights that everyone carries unfulfilled dreams, like flickering dreams that illuminate and guide their lives. It encourages people to hold onto their passionate feelings and warmth, moving forward quietly and steadily, just like the sound of bamboo swaying in the wind.
The final verse emphasizes the ephemeral nature of both flowers and bamboo. It suggests that instead of adorning themselves with superficial flowers, individuals should focus on cultivating genuine qualities and adorn themselves with the flowers of sincerity. It encourages people to live with a rich and flexible heart, moving forward quietly and steadily, just like the sound of bamboo swaying in the wind.
Overall, the lyrics of "竹" convey the message of embracing personal growth, cherishing authenticity, and living with a resilient and steady attitude, much like the qualities of bamboo.
Line by Line Meaning
雪の降る日も 雨の日も
Even on snowy and rainy days
竹は節目(ふしめ)で 伸びてゆく
Bamboo grows at its joints
人もまた 己(おの)れが道の一里塚
And people are their own milestones on the path
確かめながら 行けばいい
It's important to continue while reaffirming
そこに出逢いも 彩(いろど)りも
Encounters and colors are found there
ああ...粛々(しゅくしゅく)と
Oh... with solemnity
行けばいい
We should continue
月の世界に 憧(あこが)れて
Longing for the world of the moon
竹に托(たく)した 夢もある
There are also dreams entrusted to bamboo
人はみな 見果てぬ夢の夢灯り
People are all unfulfilled dream lanterns
しっかと抱いて 生きりゃいい
Holding them tightly, it's enough to live
熱い想いを 温(ぬく)もりを
With passionate feelings and warmth
ああ...粛々(しゅくしゅく)と
Oh... with solemnity
行けばいい
We should continue
花の咲くのは ただ一度
Flowers bloom only once
竹は寿命(いのち)が 尽きるとき
Bamboo's life ends when it runs out
人もまた
And people too
上辺(うわべ)の花を飾るより
Rather than adorning superficial flowers
誠実(まこと)の花を 持てばいい
It's better to have flowers of sincerity
こころ豊かに しなやかに
With a rich and flexible heart
ああ...粛々(しゅくしゅく)と
Oh... with solemnity
行けばいい
We should continue
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 野村耕三
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
岡本桂子
サブちゃん
、相変わらず
歌上手いですね☺
私は 72才で〰 同世代が 演歌 好きだねと〰 カラオケ🎤では サブちゃん
三山ひろし君の
歌を 歌います!
キーが 低いし
坂本 冬美さん
水森 かおりさんも
歌いますが
島津あや さん
私の 叔父は
サブちゃんと 同級だが
6年前に 亡くなりました‼
サブちゃんの
大ファンで
函館の 人や
兄弟 仁義等々を
カラオケ🎤で〰
母より 先に
母の 弟です!
私も 両親 亡くなりました‼😫 孫四人
居ますが
10*8*5才 男児と〰
一才女児が
孫の次に
演歌が 好きです!
身体気を付けて
まだまだ 頑張ってくださいね🎵
浮田茂
胸に染みる素晴らしい歌詞と歌声❗👏
川上のり子
人生の応援歌です素晴らしい
masato
北島三郎さんの歌の中で、最も好きな歌です。
3番の「人はみな、上辺の花を飾るより、誠の花を持てばいい」という歌詞が人生を表現した素晴らしい歌詞だと思います。
邦和 鈴木
サブちゃんの歌声を聞いているとうっとりして気持ちが豊かになります
楊志光
好聽👍👍👍💯
和田辰夫
この歌は心の応援歌です。
SASHIMI
祖母がいつも見てる歌コンで流れてきた曲
亡くなった祖父は北島三郎の曲をよく聴いていました。
今の世の中私には生きづらく悩んでいたときにこの曲が流れてきました。
演歌は全く興味なかったのですが、祖父が「この曲の竹のようにこれから頑張れよ」と言われてるようで頑張ろうと思いました。
北島三郎この曲を作ってださりありがとうございます!
和田辰夫
さぶちゃんの 歌
聞くと、元気が、でます。俺の 応援歌です。
山田勲
竹が好きでいつも歌っています。
大喜塚
男の中の男の歌何回聴いても痺れます。