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.
Yawara
美空ひばり Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
負けてもともと この胸の
奥に生きてる 柔の夢が
一生一度を 一生一度を
待っている
人は人なり のぞみもあるが
捨てゝ立つ瀬を 越えもする
恋の涙を 恋の涙を 噛みしめる
口で言うより 手の方が早い
馬鹿を相手の 時じゃない
行くも 住(とま)るも
座(すわ)るも 臥(ふ)すも
柔一すじ 柔一すじ 夜が明ける
The lyrics of the song 柔 by 美空ひばり express the idea that winning or losing is not what ultimately matters. Regardless of the outcome, the dream of tenderness (柔の夢) residing deeply in one's heart is what truly counts. The phrase "勝つと思うな 思えば負けよ" translates to "Don't think that you'll win; if you believe that, you're already a loser." This demonstrates the importance of humility and being realistic about one's abilities. The song then shifts to discuss the challenges of life and the importance of persevering through them, as the line "捨てず立つ瀬を越えもする" means "Crossing the threshold without hindrance, without giving up."
The second verse of the song further explores the idea of striving to be human and feel human emotions. The line "口で言うより 手の方が早い" suggests that actions speak louder than words, and it's better to act quickly than to waste time explaining oneself. The lyrics then urge listeners to experience the pain of love and "噛みしめる" (literally meaning to "chew on" or "savor" but in this context, it means to face or feel) the tears that come with it. The final line "柔一すじ 柔一すじ 夜が明ける" means that tenderness is the most important trait, and even when traveling, resting, or sleeping, being tender is the best way to live.
Overall, the lyrics of 柔 express a message of humility, perseverance, and tenderness as the qualities that truly matter in life.
Line by Line Meaning
勝つと思うな 思えば負けよ
Don't think you'll win, because if you think you'll lose
負けてもともと この胸の
Even if you lose, deep down in this heart
奥に生きてる 柔の夢が
Lives a dream of gentleness
一生一度を 一生一度を
That's waiting for the once-in-a-lifetime chance
待っている
To come
人は人なり のぞみもあるが
People will be people, and though they have hopes
捨てゝ立つ瀬を 越えもする
Abandoning their families, they will venture forth
せめて今宵は 人間らしく
At least for tonight, acting human
恋の涙を 恋の涙を 噛みしめる
Bite into the tears of love
口で言うより 手の方が早い
It's faster to use your hands than to talk
馬鹿を相手の 時じゃない
It's not time to play the fool
行くも 住(とま)るも
Whether you go or stay
座(すわ)るも 臥(ふ)すも
Whether you sit or lie down
柔一すじ 柔一すじ 夜が明ける
Every fiber of your being, gently waiting for the dawn
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: 関沢新一
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
笛吹童子
タイトル:柔
歌手:美空ひばり
作詞:関沢新一
作曲:古賀政男
編曲:佐伯亮
一、勝つと思うな 思えば負けよ
負けてもともと この胸の
奥に生きてる 柔の夢が
一生一度を 一生一度を 待っている
二、人は人なり のぞみもあるが
捨てゝ立つ瀬を 越えもする
せめて今宵は 人間らしく
恋の涙を 恋の涙を 嚙みしめる
三、口で言うより 手の方が早い
馬鹿を相手の 時じゃない
行くも 住るも 坐るも臥すも
柔一すじ 柔一すじ 夜が明ける
JP Davis
Binging on Hibari M and all of her performances of Yawara.
This will perhaps reign as my all time favorite.
Her hair style and countenance here adds a marvelous dimension.
Love Her. JP (LA)
林麗雲
好振奮人心的歌聲
勝己 横田
カラオケでよく歌いますがとっても難しくひばりさんの偉大さが身にしみて感じます。
笛吹童子
タイトル:柔
歌手:美空ひばり
作詞:関沢新一
作曲:古賀政男
編曲:佐伯亮
一、勝つと思うな 思えば負けよ
負けてもともと この胸の
奥に生きてる 柔の夢が
一生一度を 一生一度を 待っている
二、人は人なり のぞみもあるが
捨てゝ立つ瀬を 越えもする
せめて今宵は 人間らしく
恋の涙を 恋の涙を 嚙みしめる
三、口で言うより 手の方が早い
馬鹿を相手の 時じゃない
行くも 住るも 坐るも臥すも
柔一すじ 柔一すじ 夜が明ける
ひでと おだか
この男勝りの歌い方が、たまらなく好きですね。😮
mami
迫力すごい
めちゃ肌キレイ✨
Takuya mc
危機せまる迫力で歌い上げ最後に、にっこりと笑われるギャップがたまらないです。
「柔」は日本一の歌です。でも「悲しい酒」も「愛燦燦」「ひばりの佐渡情話」
もう！きりがありません、
wai yu cheng
🙏🏻😍🥰👍👏👏美空雲雀🙏🏻柔真實越聴越好聴👍好感動啊！😍👏👏美空雲雀🙏🏻
多田満雄
あ
多田満雄
俺もあ