長崎ブルース
青江三奈 Lyrics

The lyrics of 青江三奈's song 長崎ブルース describe the pain of separation and the loneliness felt when not being able to meet with the loved one. It is sung in a blues style with a deep emotional tone. The song starts with the realization of how painful the separation is and how unbearable it is to spend the night without the loved one. The bridge over the river in Nagasaki, known as 思案橋 (Sian-kyo), seems to be the place where the singer shares the deep sorrow of unrequited love with the viewer - a love that causes more sadness than happiness. The song touches on the various elements of love and the things that remind the singer of her beloved, such as the silk cord of her Obi (traditional Japanese sash), which she would have tied around herself in preparation for a romantic evening out.

The next verse talks about the imagery of the Glass Paintings on a Nanban Screen with red roses, symbols of love between a man and a woman. The singer realized how truly painful it is to be a woman in love, as she sits and watches other couples enjoying the beauty of Nagasaki.

The final verse of the song talks about the memories of walking together on the stone pavements during a moonlit night. Despite the painful memory and the inability to be with the loved one, the scent of Japanese citrus fruit, the Yuzu or Jabara, makes her reminisce about the love full of happiness and sadness, making it unforgettable.