天城越え
Marty Friedman Lyrics

The lyrics of Marty Friedman's "天城越え" speak of a love so deep that it becomes an all-consuming force, one that the singer is willing to die for. The opening lines about a "fragrant scent that cannot be hidden" that "gradually soaked into you" suggest a latent attraction between two individuals that eventually becomes all-consuming. The singer insinuates that if their lover were to be stolen by someone else, they would rather kill them than lose them. The next few lines describe the setting where the two come together - a hideaway inn, surrounded by nature, with a waterfall and a burning mountain. The singer desires to cross the Tenshi Pass with their lover - which is a mountain pass in Japan famous for its winding roads and picturesque landscapes - even if it means crawling on the ground through burning fire.

The second stanza has the singer reflecting on the inevitability of their separation, and the pain of having to say goodbye to their loved one. The image of a broken glass, still lodged in their remains unconstrained, and they feel that even though they are together, they cannot escape the coldness of distance. The stanza then invokes the image of a watercourse where the two initially met, and a bridge where they sought shelter. The singer recognizes the futility of holding onto grudges and unrequited love, acknowledging that their body and soul will forever burn for their lover. The final stanza alludes to the dangers of crossing the Tenshi Pass, with its misty villages and passages, and how even though the journey might be arduous, they will do it together.

Overall, the lyrics of "天城越え" paint a picture of love that is both profound and consuming. Through its images of nature, burning mountains, and winding roads, the song speaks of the irresistible pull of an attraction that cannot be denied, even at the cost of life itself.