終夜の蛍
河合奈保子 Lyrics

The lyrics in 河合奈保子's "終夜の螢" encompass a series of emotions, imagery, and metaphors about love, loss, and nature. The first line describes picking summer flowers, and the following line likens the exhaled breath to the flowers' fragrance floating away. The wind ripples on the river's surface and passes through the singer's hair. The reflections of gold and silver, in a possible reference to the fireflies, disappear without knowing which direction they go. Rather than being lonely, the singer finds solace in only the things they love. They will fly, only if they believe that they will be happy, and they fly towards thousands of invisible fireflies. The heart trembles and flutters with these feelings towards the beloved person. The more the singer hides their love, the deeper it becomes and the sadder it feels.

The second stanza talks about the transience of life, likening it to the luminous blue color that disappears at dawn. The wind chime on the other shore of the river, which guides the souls of ancestors, makes the singer want to cry and hold their bare skin tightly. The singer then releases their feelings and thoughts to the beloved person, just as the fireflies' lights shimmering on the water surface could be torn apart by their tears.

Overall, the song's imagery portrays fleetingness, deep emotions, and a sense of calm towards the present moment. It suggests that life is short, but the memories of love and nature can last forever.