In April of 1987, on the way to a performance in Fukuoka, she suddenly collapsed. Rushed to hospital, she was diagnosed with bilateral femoral necrosis brought on by chronic hepatitis. Until August she was confined to hospital and eventually showed signs of recovery. She commenced recording a new song Midaregami in October, and in 1988 performed at a concert called Fushichou konsaato (Phoenix Concert) at the Tokyo Dome. Against overwhelming pain in her legs, she performed a total of 39 songs while assuring her fans that she had completely recovered. However, on 24 May 1989, having been re-admitted to the Juntendou hospital in Tokyo, she died from interstitial pneumonitis at the age of 52.
In July 1989 after her death, she became the first female recipient of the National Prize of Honour (国民栄誉賞) for her longstanding contributions to the music industry.
In 1993, the Misora Hibari-kan opened in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Its popularity with fans and tourists has endured through to the present.
Her most famous song, "Kawa no nagare no yō ni," (1989) was voted #1 in a 1997 NHK poll of the best Japanese songs of all time.
そっとおやすみ
美空ひばり Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
いつも貴方の 手を借りた
背中のボタンが とめにくい
一人ぼっちの部屋で
今は居ない貴方に
そっと そっと おやすみなさい
もう陽にやけた タタミのにおい
けんかの名残りも 悲しそう
一人ぼっちの部屋で
今は居ない貴方に
そっと そっと おやすみなさい
別れの夜の 涙のしずく
星も流れて 散ってゆく
今夜のベッドも 冷たそう
一人ぼっちの部屋で
今は居ない貴方に
そっと そっと おやすみなさい
そっと そっと おやすみなさい
The lyrics to 美空ひばり's song そっとおやすみ depict a woman reminiscing about a past relationship, as she stands before a mirror after applying makeup. She remembers how she always relied on her partner to help her fasten the buttons on her dress, and now struggles to complete the task alone. In her lonely room, she bids farewell to the partner who's no longer with her, wishing for them to rest peacefully. The song goes on to describe the ambiance of her room, with the smell of tatami mats and the sadness of remaining quarrels. The woman imagines her bed feeling cold and empty, as she sheds tears for a relationship that's now ended.
The lyrics of this song are poignant, capturing the feeling of longing and heartache with beautiful simplicity. The woman is portrayed as someone who's picking up the pieces after the breakup, finding herself forced to confront the absence of her partner. Through her words, we share her sorrow and her quiet determination to move on, even as she lingers in bittersweet reminiscence. The simple yet evocative language of the song brings the emotions of the woman to life, making us feel as though we are there with her in that empty room, saying our last goodbye.
Line by Line Meaning
????? ??????
In front of the mirror after putting on makeup,
?????? ?????
I always relied on your help,
??????? ?????
The buttons on my back were hard to fasten,
?????????
In my lonely room,
????????
To you, who are not here now,
??? ??? ???????
Gently, gently, please sleep tight.
??????? ???????
The smell of the charred tatami mats after a long day,
?????? ????
I was hurt by the white futon,
???????? ????
Even the remnants of our fight seemed sad,
????? ?????
Tears from the night we parted,
????? ?????
The stars fell and scattered away,
??????? ????
Even the bed tonight seems cold,
??? ??? ???????
Gently, gently, please sleep tight.
?????????
In my lonely room,
????????
To you, who are not here now,
??? ??? ???????
Gently, gently, please sleep tight.
Writer(s): クニ河内
Contributed by Anthony F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
谷口恒之
たくさんの歌手の方がカバーしておられていますが、両曲ともひばりさんの歌唱力は絶品ですね。本当に凄いの形容だけの評価では失礼なくらいですね。
大田順子
ひばりさんの歌謡曲も勿論文句なしに素晴らしいですが、ポップス系のスタンダードソングも言葉一つ一つを大事に歌われて、ただただ感動です✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Bruce Kang
I am very touched by her voice. It's magic, like eternity.
hata keiko
歌詞に合わせたしぐさや顔の表情は絶妙に素敵です。そしてとても色っぽく
嫌みがありません、ごく自然なしぐさが芸の深さを感じます。
もちろん歌も大好きで何度聞いてもあきません。
R w
素晴らしい表現力ですね！歌詞の意味や情景が心まで入ってきます。
とても心地いいです。
Abdiel Andriolo
Simplesmente maravilhosa !
MARIO MAEHASHI
THE BEST!!!!!!!!!! RAINHA DA MÚSICA ENKA!!!!!!!
Tizuco Sekitani
Muito lindo melodia.
佐藤ミニヲ
素晴らしい。音楽研鑽の末にようやく偉大さが分かるようになった。ひばりの時代に間に合いながら、こんな本物の天才の歌を直接聞く機会を逃したことが本当に残念.。-
北澤朔人
さすが歌詞の意味が心に沁みていますね。素晴らしいです。音程は多分その情景に合わせ要るのでしょうね。さすがです。