Saitō is well-known in Japan for being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She drew some attention to that fact when she first began her career because she refused to work on Sundays. Her hobbies include songwriting, illustrating and reading.
いちご水のグラス
斉藤由貴 Lyrics
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弾くともなく ながめる
グラスには いちご水
手作りジャムを 届けに行った
"留学するよ"なんて
急だね 渡せずしまった こころ
いいたくて いえなくて
だけど精一杯
ほんとに ほんとは
まぶた 伏せて願ってしまう
あなた ずっと 私の側にいて
ルリ色 グラスに氷ふたつ
溶けてゆく かげろうが
ひとつに なれるのなら
透かして 向こうに見える譜面
あなたに借りたままで
合わせる 練習をしてた曲よ
今 ひいても あなた
聞いてはくれないけど
これが精一杯
ほんとに ほんとは
ちゃんと 笑って見送るつもり
だから せめて 今だけ側にいて・・・
もう言わない 側にいて・・・
The song "いちご水のグラス" by 斉藤由貴 is a beautiful ballad that captures the emotions of a person reminiscing about a loved one who has left for abroad. The lyrics describe the scene of a person sitting alone in front of a piano, playing absent-mindedly while looking at a glass of strawberry water. The singer recalls the day when they went to deliver homemade jam to the loved one who suddenly revealed their plans to study abroad. The singer was caught off guard and didn't know what to say, and as a result, couldn't hand over their heart to the loved one.
The lyrics express the singer's longing for the loved one to stay by their side. They hope that the loved one would come back so that they could be together again. They describe how they close their eyes and make a wish for the loved one to always be by their side. They recall the moments they shared together, such as looking at the flickering shadows created by the melting ice in a blue glass, and playing a music piece while looking at the music sheet which the loved one borrowed from them. The singer understands that the loved one may not be able to listen to the tune they're playing anymore, but they play it anyway, dedicating it to the loved one, hoping that they would hear it somehow.
Overall, the song expresses the deep emotions of love, longing, and separation that one experiences when a loved one leaves. It portrays the bittersweet feeling of holding on to memories while hoping for a reunion.
Line by Line Meaning
一人で ピアノの前にすわり
Sitting alone in front of the piano
弾くともなく ながめる
Looking at it absent-mindedly
グラスには いちご水
There is strawberry water in a glass
手作りジャムを 届けに行った
I went to deliver homemade jam
"留学するよ"なんて
Saying something like "I'm going to study abroad"
急だね 渡せずしまった こころ
It's sudden, my heart can't give it to you
今 消えてく言葉
Words that are disappearing now
いいたくて いえなくて
I want to say them, but I can't
だけど精一杯
But I'm doing my best
ほんとに ほんとは
The truth is
まぶた 伏せて願ってしまう
Closing my eyes and making a wish
あなた ずっと 私の側にいて
You, always be by my side
ルリ色 グラスに氷ふたつ
Two ice cubes in a azure glass
溶けてゆく かげろうが
The melting shadow
ひとつに なれるのなら
If we can become one
透かして 向こうに見える譜面
Seen through the sheet music on the other side
あなたに借りたままで
I still have it borrowed from you
合わせる 練習をしてた曲よ
The song I was practicing to play together
今 ひいても あなた
Even if I play it now, you
聞いてはくれないけど
Won't listen to it
これが精一杯
This is the best I can do
ほんとに ほんとは
The truth is
ちゃんと 笑って見送るつもり
I intend to send you off with a proper smile
だから せめて 今だけ側にいて・・・
So, at least for now, be by my side...
もう言わない 側にいて・・・
I won't say it again, be by my side...
Contributed by Nathaniel A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.