すみだ川
島倉千代子 Lyrics
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泣いて別れたすみだ川
思い出します観音さまの
秋の日ぐれの鐘の声
「ああ そうだったわねぇ
あなたが二十 あたしが十七の時よ
いつも清元のお稽古から帰ってくると
そうして 二人の姿が水に映るのをながめながら
ニッコリ笑ってさみしく別れた
ほんとにはかない恋だったわね」
娘ごころの仲見世あるく
春を待つ夜の歳の市
更けりゃ泣けます今戸の空に
幼な馴染のお月様
「あれから あたしが芸者に出たものだから
あなたはあってくれないし
いつも観音様へお詣りするたびに
廻り道して懐かしい隅田のほとりを 歩きながら
ひとりで泣いてたの でも もう泣きますまい
恋しい恋しいと思っていた初恋のあなたに
あえたんですもの
今年はきっときっと嬉しい春を迎えますわ」
都鳥さえ一羽じゃ飛ばぬ
むかし恋しい水の面
あえばとけます涙の胸に
河岸の柳も春の雪
The song すみだ川 by 島倉千代子 is a nostalgic reflection on a lost love, set against the backdrop of the Sumida River in Tokyo. The opening lines describe the river, with its black surface covered in the yellow leaves of ginkgo trees, and the singer's tears fall as she says goodbye to her past love. She then recalls a time when she and her lover would watch the sunset together by the river and listen to the bell of the Kannon temple. The song then takes on a more conversational tone, with the singer reminiscing about how her lover used to wait for her by the ferry after her geisha lessons. They would watch their reflection in the water and smile through their sadness, knowing their love was fleeting.
The second verse describes the singer's life after her lover - she became a geisha, and her lover was no longer there to greet her after her lessons. She would still visit the Kannon temple and take a longer route, so she could walk by the Sumida River and reminisce. Sometimes, she would cry alone, but she promises not to cry anymore, knowing that she will see her lover one day. The song ends with a hopeful note, as the singer imagines spring returning to the riverbank and the willow trees blooming like snow. She believes that someday, she will meet her lover again, and they will welcome a joyful spring.
Line by Line Meaning
銀杏がえしに黒じゅすかけて
The gingko leaves are darkened by the light of the street lamp
泣いて別れたすみだ川
I parted with the Sumida River in tears
思い出します観音さまの
I recall the Kannon temple
秋の日ぐれの鐘の声
The sound of the bell in the evening of an autumn day
「ああ そうだったわねぇ
"Oh, that's right"
あなたが二十 あたしが十七の時よ
You were twenty and I was seventeen
いつも清元のお稽古から帰ってくると
You always waited for me at the ferry house after your Shamisen practice
あなたは竹屋の渡し場で待って居てくれたわねぇ
You were always waiting for me at the ferry house made of bamboo
そうして 二人の姿が水に映るのをながめながら
Then we gazed at our reflections on the surface of the river
ニッコリ笑ってさみしく別れた
We parted with a lonely smile
ほんとにはかない恋だったわね
It was truly a fleeting love
」
娘ごころの仲見世あるく
I walk around Nakamise with a girl's heart
春を待つ夜の歳の市
The annual market of year-end held on the night waiting for spring
更けりゃ泣けます今戸の空に
As the night wears on, I can cry to the sky of Imado
幼な馴染のお月様
The moon, my childhood friend
「あれから あたしが芸者に出たものだから
"Since then, I became a Geisha"
あなたはあってくれないし
You weren't there for me anymore
いつも観音様へお詣りするたびに
Every time I visit Kannon temple
廻り道して懐かしい隅田のほとりを 歩きながら
I take a detour and walk along the nostalgic Sumida River
ひとりで泣いてたの でも もう泣きますまい
I used to cry alone, but I won't cry anymore
恋しい恋しいと思っていた初恋のあなたに
I think of my first love, who is so dear to me
あえたんですもの
I met you again this year
今年はきっときっと嬉しい春を迎えますわ
I'm sure I'll welcome a very happy spring this year
」
都鳥さえ一羽じゃ飛ばぬ
Even the bird of the capital cannot fly alone
むかし恋しい水の面
The beloved surface of the water from the past
あえばとけます涙の胸に
If we meet again, my heart will melt with tears
河岸の柳も春の雪
The willows on the banks also look like snow in the spring
Writer(s): 佐藤 惣之助, 山田 栄一, 佐藤 惣之助, 山田 栄一
Contributed by Kaelyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@amagigoe34
This is sure the essence of the world of Japanese art, which sends shivers down my spine.
@MrBach1954
昭和歌謡のひとつの到達点のような、すばらしい歌唱ですね。なんど聴いても感動します。
@amagigoe34
Peerless, Unparalleled, One of a kind, Flawless, Unrivaled Shimakura.
@user-qe3vg2ox2g
国宝級です！
@user-tc7rt6zr1w
何て素敵な唄でしょう。
@user-qe3vg2ox2g
全盛期のお千代さんは本当におおきかった。
@manabuoka23
東海林太郎とのデュエットテレビで観た記憶あり。二人とも大好きな歌手なので嬉しく思います。余分なことですが二人の唄でカラオケに入ってない歌を自分でつくり(シンセサイザー)唄っています。それぐらいのファンです。
@yukiomurakami001
あの偉大な東海林太郎がお千代さんの傍では小さく見える。お千代さんの全盛期、本当に素晴らしい、今でも惚れ惚れします。
@user-xt2iw4ow9e
この頃の島倉さんは円熟期の最高の歌い手の頃ですね
@user-yh9qs6gz3s
言葉の選択が粋の極み。