Chiyoko Shimakura (島倉千代子 or しまくらちよこ, Shimakura Chiyoko) (March 30 1938 - N… Read Full Bio ↴Chiyoko Shimakura (島倉千代子 or しまくらちよこ, Shimakura Chiyoko) (March 30 1938 - November 8 2013) was a well-known folk and enka singer and TV presenter in Japan. She began singing professionally in 1954 at the age of 16 and continued until her death in 2013, a total of nearly 60 years. Her debut single, この世の花 (Kono yo no hana), has sold more than 2 million copies. Throughout her lifetime she appeared a total of 35 times in Kôhaku Utagassen, NHK's New Year singing competition, and also in several movies and TV commercials.

北上夜曲
島倉千代子 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

匂い優しい白百合の
濡れているよなあの瞳
想い出すのは想い出すのは

北上河原の月の夜

宵の灯点すころ
心ほのかな初恋を

想い出すのは想い出すのは
北上河原のせせらぎよ

銀河の流れ仰ぎつつ
星を数えた君と僕
想い出すのは想い出すのは
北上河原の星の夜

僕は生きるぞ生きるんだ
君の面影胸に秘め

想い出すのは想い出すのは
北上河原の初恋よ

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 島倉千代子's 北上夜曲 describe a wistful remembrance of a first love, one that was sparked on a moonlit night by the gently flowing waters of the Kitakami River. The imagery is vivid, with the scent of fragrant lilies and dewy eyes conjuring up memories of that magical evening. As the night falls once again and the lamps of evening are lit, the singer is transported back to that time, a heart full of tender thoughts of that long-ago romance.

The second verse continues the dreaminess of the lyrics, with the singer and her love lying under the silver expanse of the galaxy, counting the stars together. The recollection of that moment brings the singer back to that special night, with the sound of the Kitakami River's flowing waters lulling her into a restful state. The final verse returns the listener to the present, with the singer proclaiming her determination to live and to cherish the memory of her lost love.

Line by Line Meaning

匂い優しい白百合の
Ah, those gentle, sweet scents of those white lilies.

濡れているよなあの瞳
Drenched with tears, those eyes of yours.

想い出すのは想い出すのは
I keep remembering, keep remembering...

北上河原の月の夜
That night under the moon on the banks of the Kitakami River.

宵の灯点すころ
As the evening lights start to come on.

心ほのかな初恋を
Memories of my innocent first love.

想い出すのは想い出すのは
I keep remembering, keep remembering...

北上河原のせせらぎよ
The sound of the gentle rapids on the Kitakami River.

銀河の流れ仰ぎつつ
As we gazed up at the flow of the Milky Way.

星を数えた君と僕
You and I counting the stars together.

想い出すのは想い出すのは
I keep remembering, keep remembering...