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.
Watashi Wa Machi No Ko
美空ひばり Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
窓に灯が ともる頃
いつもの道を 歩きます
赤い小粒の 芥子の花
あの街角で ひらきます
わたしは街の子 巷の子
なんで灯が 恋しやら
柳落葉が ひらひらと
赤いリボンに つもります
わたしは街の子 巷の子
ついた灯が また消えりゃ
いつもの人に 出逢います
今は恋しい 母様に
うしろ姿も そっくりな
These lyrics are from the song "私は街の子" (Watashi wa Machi no Ko) by Misora Hibari. In English, the title means "I am a City Girl" or "I am a Street Kid". The song tells the story of a girl who was born and raised in the city, and as the evening lights come on, she walks down the familiar streets, admiring the red mustard flowers that bloom on the corners. She wonders why she feels so drawn to the city lights, and continues to sing a familiar tune. When the red leaves of the willow trees fall, they cling to her red ribbon.
The girl often encounters the same people on her walks, but one person she longs to meet again is her mother, who has passed away. The girl sees a reflection of her mother in her own appearance, and wishes she could see her again. The song overall captures a nostalgic feeling for the city and the people who inhabit it, while also expressing the sorrow of losing a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
わたしは街の子 巷の子
I am a child of the city, a child of the streets
窓に灯が ともる頃
When the lights in the windows come on
いつもの道を 歩きます
I walk the same path as always
赤い小粒の 芥子の花
Tiny red flowers of the mustard plant
あの街角で ひらきます
Bloom at that street corner
なんで灯が 恋しやら
Why do I find the lights so dear?
いつもの歌を 歌います
I sing the same song as always
柳落葉が ひらひらと
Willow leaves fluttering down
赤いリボンに つもります
Piling up on my red ribbon
ついた灯が また消えりゃ
If the light that I arrived at goes out
いつもの人に 出逢います
I meet the same person as always
今は恋しい 母様に
Longing for my dear mother
うしろ姿も そっくりな
Whose figure from behind is just like mine
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 藤浦洸
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-sr1dh4co2l
잘부르시네 ~~👍👍👍
@user-lm8mz4ld5n
잘 듣고 갑니다!! 꾸준히 활동해주셔서 감사합니다 ㅎㅎ
@10paleo
올리자마자 답글을 달아주시니 기분이 좋고 큰 힘이 됩니다 감사합니다!!!
@park9860
말씀이라도 해주구 채널 닫으시지~