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.
Kawa No Nagarenoyouni
美空ひばり Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
細く長い この道
振り返れば 遥か遠く
故郷が見える
でこぼこ道や
曲がりくねった道
地図さえない
ああ 川の流れのように
ゆるやかに
いくつも 時代は過ぎて
ああ 川の流れのように
とめどなく
空が黄昏に 染まるだけ
生きることは 旅すること
終わりのない この道
愛する人 そばに連れて
夢探しながら
雨に降られて ぬかるんだ道でも
いつかは また 晴れる日が来るから
ああ 川の流れのように
おだやかに
この身を まかせていたい
ああ 川の流れのように
移りゆく 季節 雪どけを待ちながら
ああ 川の流れのように
おだやかに
この身を まかせていたい
ああ 川の流れのように
いつまでも
青いせせらぎを 聞きながら
These lyrics are from the song "Kawa No Nagarenoyouni" by 美空ひばり (MISORA Hibari), which translates to "Like the Flowing River." The song is about the journey of life and the passage of time, comparing it to a river flowing gently. The lyrics describe a long and winding road that the singer has unknowingly walked on, and when they look back, they can see their distant hometown. The road is uneven and twisting, without a map, symbolizing the unpredictability of life itself.
The song suggests that living is like traveling, with no end to this journey. It speaks of the importance of having loved ones by our side as we search for our dreams. Even when faced with obstacles or difficult times, the lyrics assure us that there will be sunny days ahead. It also highlights the significance of embracing the flow of life, just like a river, and finding peace in its gentle rhythm.
Overall, "Kawa No Nagarenoyouni" is a beautiful and introspective song that reminds us to appreciate the journey of life, embrace its changes, and find solace in the constant flow of time.
Line by Line Meaning
知らず知らず 歩いて来た
Unknowingly, I have walked this path
細く長い この道
This path is thin and long
振り返れば 遥か遠く
When I look back, it's far away
故郷が見える
I can see my hometown
でこぼこ道や
Rough road
曲がりくねった道
Twisty road
地図さえない
Without a map
それもまた 人生
That is also life
ああ 川の流れのように
Ah, like the flow of a river
ゆるやかに
Gently
いくつも 時代は過ぎて
Many eras have passed
ああ 川の流れのように
Ah, like the flow of a river
とめどなく
Endlessly
空が黄昏に 染まるだけ
Only the sky is dyed in twilight
生きることは 旅すること
To live is to travel
終わりのない この道
This road has no end
愛する人 そばに連れて
Bringing loved ones close by
夢探しながら
While searching for dreams
雨に降られて ぬかるんだ道でも
Even on a muddy road under the rain
いつかは また 晴れる日が来るから
Because eventually, a sunny day will come again
ああ 川の流れのように
Ah, like the flow of a river
おだやかに
Peacefully
この身を まかせていたい
I want to entrust myself to it
ああ 川の流れのように
Ah, like the flow of a river
移りゆく 季節 雪どけを待ちながら
While waiting for the snow to melt in the changing seasons
ああ 川の流れのように
Ah, like the flow of a river
おだやかに
Peacefully
この身を まかせていたい
I want to entrust myself to it
ああ 川の流れのように
Ah, like the flow of a river
いつまでも
Forever
青いせせらぎを 聞きながら
While listening to the blue gurgling stream
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Akira Mitake, Yasushi Akimoto
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
たらお吉丼
声が似てて涙が出る
KayN61
やはり所々節や癖が生き写し！
Mei Wang
とても感動的です😢
美樹橘
さすがひばりさんの妹さんですね、無理なく声が出ていて素敵です(o´艸`)
Mei Wang
感謝の気持ちをありがとう
kazu simizu
AIに歌わせるよりも、是非テレビで妹さんに歌わさた方が感動すると思います。
今井拓我
私も同感。
Mei Wang
そうだと思う
yukun konnta
この曲とこの写真で涙が出てきます。
Mei Wang
懷念