博多ながし
春日八郎 Lyrics
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風が身にしむ ながし唄(うた)
恋の博多の 街(まち)の灯(ひ)ふけて
渡る大橋 影淋し
むせび泣くかよ 川瀬の水も
別れつらさに 夜もすがら
中州(なかす)通れば 思い出ばかり
男なりゃこそ 忘れるつもり
浮名(うきな)ばかりが なぜ残る
ながし疲れて 見上げる空に
月も淋しや ただひとり
These lyrics are from the song "Hakata Nagashi" by Haruo Kasuga, which speaks of a night in the city of Hakata, a district in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The lyrics express the longing for an unrequited love that one wishes to meet, even if such a meeting is impossible. The wind carries a song that embodies the emotions of the singer.
The city lights of Hakata shine on the Nakagawa River, which the singer crosses over a large bridge. He is overwhelmed by the sadness of the landscape and the song of the river, which seems to echo his sorrow. Even the moon shines lonely in the sky.
The second verse speaks of the singer's journey through the middle of the river, called Nakasu. The riverbanks are full of memories that call out to him. He wonders if these are simply fleeting dreams that will never come to fruition, but the memories of his love are so real that he cannot help but feel their pull.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of unrequited love and longing, set against the backdrop of the city of Hakata and its flowing river.
Line by Line Meaning
逢いに来たとて 逢われぬ宵は
Even if I come to meet you, the night when we cannot meet is still tiring
風が身にしむ ながし唄(うた)
I sing a melancholic song that echoes with the sound of the wind
恋の博多の 街(まち)の灯(ひ)ふけて
The lights of love in the city of Hakata are fading away
渡る大橋 影淋し
Crossing the bridge alone, feeling lonely
むせび泣くかよ 川瀬の水も
As I cry and choke, even the water of the Kase River seems to cry with me
別れつらさに 夜もすがら
Throughout the night, I am tormented by the pain of parting
中州(なかす)通れば 思い出ばかり
As I pass through the sandbars, memories keep flooding back
呼ぶな二度ない 夢ならば
If it’s just a once in a lifetime dream, let me call out to you
男なりゃこそ 忘れるつもり
As a man, I intend to forget about you
浮名(うきな)ばかりが なぜ残る
Why is only my reputation left behind?
ながし疲れて 見上げる空に
Feeling exhausted and looking up at the sky
月も淋しや ただひとり
The moon also seems lonely, just like me
Contributed by Samuel N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.