越後獅子の唄
美空ひばり Lyrics

These lyrics are from the traditional Japanese folk song "越後獅子の唄" ("Echigo Jingasa Bushi"), as interpreted by the legendary singer Hibari Misora. The song is sung from the perspective of an orphan girl living as a wandering entertainer. The first verse describes how she is able to see the mountains of her hometown when she stands on her head while listening to the flute. She travels the highway performing as a lion dancer, which is a traditional performance where a dancer wears a lion costume and performs acrobatics to the sound of drums and bells.

The second verse describes how the girl is scolded by her supervisor, or "oyakata," for not performing well. When she looks up at the sky after being struck with a drumstick, she sees the moon and cries. The third and final verse describes a scene in a castle town where geese cry, the sound of the taiko drums is sad, and the lights of an inn are glowing in the twilight. The girl watches from a distance and dances alone, feeling the weight of the sadness and the transience of her traveling lifestyle.

The lyrics of "越後獅子の唄" are not about a specific person or event, but they capture the emotions and experiences of the traveling performers who used to roam the highways and perform in the towns and countryside of Japan. The song has become a part of Japanese cultural heritage and is often performed at festivals and events.