The Narrow Way
椎名林檎と宮本浩次 Lyrics
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誰もが移ろふさう絶え間ない流れに
ただ右往左往してゐる
いつも通りお決まりの道に潜むでゐるあきのよる
着脹れして生き乍ら死んぢやあゐまいかとふと訝る
飼馴らしてゐるやうで 飼殺してゐるんぢやあないか
人間たる前の単に率直な感度を頼つてゐたいと思ふ
さう本性は獣 丸腰の命をいま野放しに突走らうぜ
行く先はこと切れる場所大自然としていざ行かう
そつと立ち入るはじめての道に震へてふゆを覚える
紛れたくて足並揃へて安心してゐた昨日に恥ぢ入る
気遣つてゐるやうで気遣わせてゐるんぢやあ厭だ
自己犠牲の振りして 御為倒しか とんだかまとゝ
謙遜する前の単に率直な態度を誇つてゐたいと思ふ
さう正体は獣 悴むだ命でこそ 成遂げた結果が全て
孤独とは言ひ換へりやあ自由 黙つて遠くへ行かう
本物か贋物かなんて無意味
能書きはまう結構です
幸か不幸かさへも 勝敗さへも 当人だけに意味が有る
無けなしの命がひとつ だうせなら使ひ果たさうぜ
かなしみが覆ひ被さらうと 抱きかゝへて行くまでさ
借りものの命がひとつ 厚かましく使ひ込むで返せ
さあ貪れ 笑ひ飛ばすのさ 誰も通れぬ程 狭き道をゆけ
The Narrow Way by Shiina Ringo and Koji Miyamoto expresses the fleeting nature of life and the constant change that everyone experiences. The lyrics allude to the struggles of life, and how one may feel lost and aimlessly moving forward. The first verse depicts the night with uncertainty about whether one is living or dying, and the constant confusion in the face of life's unpredictable nature. The lyrics suggest that even though humans have the ability to reason and make decisions about their lives, they are still animals at their core.
The second verse discusses the need for people to be honest with themselves and to rely on their instincts. The lyrics state that people should not try to control their lives too much because it goes against the natural order of things. The song encourages listeners to embrace their humanity and to be true to their own feelings in order to find a balance between nature and society. The final verse reminds listeners that regardless of whether one's life is fortunate or not, it is important to use it to the fullest and to find joy in the journey.
Overall, The Narrow Way is a song that encourages listeners to embrace their humanity and to find their own way in the world. The lyrics suggest that life is unpredictable and that everyone must find their own path and make the most of their time on earth.
Line by Line Meaning
この世は無常皆んな分かつてゐるのさ
We all understand that this world is subject to constant change and impermanence.
誰もが移ろふさう絶え間ない流れに
We are all caught in a ceaseless, shifting current.
ただ右往左往してゐる
We just aimlessly move in every direction.
いつも通りお決まりの道に潜むでゐるあきのよる
On the same familiar path, I am lurking on a long, lonely night.
着脹れして生き乍ら死んぢやあゐまいかとふと訝る
Swollen with life, sometimes I wonder if I'm already dead.
飼馴らしてゐるやうで 飼殺してゐるんぢやあないか
Am I not being domesticated until ready to be slaughtered?
自分自身の才能をあたまとからだ 丸で食い違ふ
My body and mind are mismatched when trying to utilize my own talents.
人間たる前の単に率直な感度を頼つてゐたいと思ふ
I long for that simple and honest sensitivity from before I was human.
さう本性は獣 丸腰の命をいま野放しに突走らうぜ
So, my true nature is that of a beast, and I run wild with nothing to lose.
行く先はこと切れる場所大自然としていざ行かう
I am headed to a place where it all ends, to be one with nature.
そつと立ち入るはじめての道に震へてふゆを覚える
Entering a new path, I am shaken and reminded of the cold winter.
紛れたくて足並揃へて安心してゐた昨日に恥ぢ入る
I am ashamed of the comfort I felt yesterday as I tried to blend in.
気遣つてゐるやうで気遣わせてゐるんぢやあ厭だ
I hate to feel like I am worrying or being worried about falsely.
自己犠牲の振りして 御為倒しか とんだかまとゝ
Pretending it's for the greater good, it's just a huge deception.
謙遜する前の単に率直な態度を誇つてゐたいと思ふ
I wish I could brag about my true attitude before I became modest.
さう正体は獣 悴むだ命でこそ 成遂げた結果が全て
My true nature is a beast, and the results I achieved were only due to my persistent life.
孤独とは言ひ換へりやあ自由 黙つて遠くへ行かう
In exchange for loneliness, I have gained my freedom and will go quietly into the distance.
本物か贋物かなんて無意味
The distinction between real and fake is meaningless.
能書きはまう結構です
I'm fine with empty promises.
幸か不幸かさへも 勝敗さへも 当人だけに意味が有る
Whether fortunate or unfortunate, victory or defeat, only the individual finds meaning.
無けなしの命がひとつ だうせなら使ひ果たさうぜ
I only have one life, so I should use it to the fullest.
かなしみが覆ひ被さらうと 抱きかゝへて行くまでさ
Until this sadness covers me completely, I will face it head-on.
借りものの命がひとつ 厚かましく使ひ込むで返せ
As it's only a borrowed life, I'll use it shamelessly and give it back.
さあ貪れ 笑ひ飛ばすのさ 誰も通れぬ程 狭き道をゆけ
Now, devour and laugh, and make your way through the narrow path that no one can pass through.
Writer(s): Sheena Ringo
Contributed by Lillian T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.