Hibari Misora (美空ひばり Misora Hibari, May 29, 1937 - June 24, 1989) was a Ja… Read Full Bio ↴Hibari Misora (美空ひばり Misora Hibari, May 29, 1937 - June 24, 1989) was a Japanese singer and the predominant figure in postwar enka music. Born Kazue Kato (加藤和枝) in Yokohama, she was an accomplished singer by the age of seven, and appeared in film for the first time at age 12. Between 1949's Kanashiki kuchibue and 1971's Onna no Hanamichi, she appeared in over 60 movies.

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.

歌は我が命
美空ひばり Lyrics

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どうしてうたうの
そんなにしてまで
ときどき私は自分にたずねる
心のなかまで土足で踏まれて
笑顔のうしろでかげ口きかれて
ラララ......... ラララ............
それでも私は
うたい......うたい続けなければ

その胸で私の歌うけとめてくれる
あなた！あなた！あなた！......
あなたがいるかぎり
この次この世に生まれた時にも
やっぱり私はうたっているだろう
昨日のかなしみこころに埋めて
歩こう自分で選んだこの道
ラララ......... ラララ.........
それでも私は
うたい......うたい続けなければ
いつの日も私の歌
待っていてくれる

あなた！あなた！あなた！......
あなたがいるかぎり

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to 美空ひばり's song 歌は我が命 (Utawa Waga Inochi) convey the deep passion and commitment of the singer to her craft. The song starts with the question of why she sings with such intensity and dedication, sometimes even questioning herself. The lyrics depict a sense of vulnerability and struggle, as the singer feels that her heart is being trampled upon and she is subjected to gossip behind her smile. Despite these challenges, she affirms her determination to continue singing because her song finds solace and acceptance in the hearts of her listeners, specifically addressing someone who is always there for her.

The second verse builds on this resolve, suggesting that even in future lives, she will still be singing. She talks about burying yesterday's sadness in her heart and choosing her own path to walk on. The concluding lines reiterate her commitment to singing, as her song will always be waiting for her. The repetition of "あなた" (anata) throughout the lyrics emphasizes the emotional connection and gratefulness she feels towards a particular individual who supports her and gives her the strength to persevere.

歌は我が命美空ひばり Lyrics

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歌は我が命
美空ひばり Lyrics