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.
港町さようなら
美空ひばり Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
何にもみえない港町
はじめて恋を知ったのも
心の恋をすてたのも
この港町
ああ 今はお別れ バイバイ
船の別れにゃ泣かないが
男の強さ知ったのも
女の恋に泣いたのも
この港町
ああ 今はお別れ バイバイ
波止場通りよ海鳥よ
白いお船よさようなら
心の底の奥底に
しまっておこうおもかげを
この港町
ああ 今はお別れ バイバイ
These lyrics are from the song "Minatomachi Sayonara" (Goodbye, Harbor Town) by Misora Hibari. The song describes a harbor town that is enveloped by a veil of mist, where nothing can be seen clearly. The singer reflects on their experiences in this town: both the first time they experienced love and the moment they let go of a love from their heart. The song expresses a sense of farewell and departure from this harbor town.
The lyrics evoke a melancholic atmosphere, as the singer mentions that they do not cry when sailors bid farewell to their ships but are moved to tears by the scent of the sea. The singer also mentions that it was in this harbor town they learned the strength of men and shed tears for the love of women. The repeated refrain of "Goodbye, farewell" emphasizes the finality of parting.
Overall, the lyrics of "Minatomachi Sayonara" capture the bittersweet emotions associated with leaving behind a place filled with memories and experiences, symbolized by the harbor town.
Line by Line Meaning
霧のヴェールに包まれて
Enveloped in a veil of mist
何にもみえない港町
A harbor town where nothing can be seen
はじめて恋を知ったのも
It was here that I first experienced love
心の恋をすてたのも
And it was here that I let go of the love in my heart
この港町
This harbor town
ああ 今はお別れ バイバイ
Ah, now it is time to say goodbye, bye-bye
船の別れにゃ泣かないが
I won't cry at the farewell of the ship
潮のにおいに泣けてくる
But the scent of the sea brings tears to my eyes
男の強さ知ったのも
It was here that I learned the strength of a man
女の恋に泣いたのも
And it was here that I cried for a woman's love
この港町
This harbor town
ああ 今はお別れ バイバイ
Ah, now it is time to say goodbye, bye-bye
波止場通りよ海鳥よ
Farewell to the street by the pier, farewell to the seagulls
白いお船よさようなら
Farewell to the white ship
心の底の奥底に
Deep within the depths of my heart
しまっておこうおもかげを
I will tuck away the memories
この港町
This harbor town
ああ 今はお別れ バイバイ
Ah, now it is time to say goodbye, bye-bye
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 哲 水島
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind