Shinobu
美空ひばり Lyrics

The lyrics of "Shinobu" by 美空ひばり evoke a sense of bittersweet nostalgia and longing for a past love. The singer describes a moment of tenderness and intimacy, where they smiled amidst their breaths, noticing a lonely mole on their cheek that resembled someone they once knew. This sense of familiarity and connection is portrayed through the act of embracing in a moment of drunkenness, expressing a desire to keep the small nails on their back close to them.

The lyrics delve into the theme of enduring misfortune and fate, stating that the continuous hardships only serve to make the thin and frail figure of the beloved even more delicate. There is a sense of resignation and questioning as to why, in the end of the journey, the singer is tracing the name of a woman who has been discarded. The repetition of "shinobu" emphasizes a sense of secrecy and concealment, hinting at hidden feelings and unspoken regrets, further emphasized by the comparison to bitter iced sake.

The imagery in the lyrics transforms the setting into a fantastical realm, where the power of alcohol in a bar can even make dreams come true. The idea of creating a small spring of love together is highlighted, suggesting a desire to return to a place where their love blossomed. The longing to meet again in that narrow alleyway signifies a yearning for a return to a time of blossoming romance and tender moments between the two lovers.

As the song concludes, the singer reflects on the transient nature of life in a wandering town under the cold winter rain. The imagery of wandering through the streets, accompanied by the melancholic winter rain, suggests a sense of loneliness and melancholy as they search for solace amidst the deserted city. The repetition of "shinobu" throughout the song serves as a poignant reminder of the hidden emotions and unspoken words that bind the past lovers together in a web of memories and regrets.