あかね雲
梶芽衣子 (Meiko Kaji) Lyrics

The lyrics of Meiko Kaji’s “Akane Kumo” tells the story of a woman who is chasing down a man while carrying her belongings in a wrapped cloth on her arm. She is wearing wooden sandals, and the sleet hits her cheeks as she walks the train tracks, thinking that it's fine to be unhappy. The woman confesses to the man that she loves Nanjing beans and eats only that at his request. She also tells him that if he wants to hit her, she will show him her wounds, as she thinks it's okay to be hurt. She remains courageous even if her blouse is torn and held together by a safety pin. She does not mind being under the umbrella of someone who will sell her out. She also wears a bird-hitting cap crookedly and has a face that looks like she has nothing to live for. When she looks up at the sky, there are crimson clouds, and she still believes it's okay to be unhappy.

The song exudes a sense of longing, sadness, and hopelessness that is unique to Japanese culture. The singer seems resigned to her fate and accepts her suffering as a part of life. The lyrics also touch on themes such as poverty, abuse, and death. The song serves as a reflection of the struggles experienced by many working-class Japanese women during the 1960s.