Bura Bura Bushi
eastern youth Lyrics
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Hiyaase randa-no tsura-no kawa
Na=ite iru-no-wa densen datta-ka
Zama-wa nee-ya-to karasu-no koe-ka
Fui-ni ashimoto-o sarau you-na tsumetai kaze-ga
Marude monuke-no kara-no you-na
Kokoro-no fuukei-o fukinuke=ta
Uta-o uta=eba
Ma=tteta densha-wa nor=azuni okuru
Megane-o hazus=eba ore-mo kieru-yo
Fui-ni shakunetsu-to kagerou-ga tachi+araware=te
Marude enogu-de ka=ita you-na
Irihi-to kumo-ni hi-o tsuke=ta
Acchi-e kocchi-e buura bura
Buurari buurari buura bura
Sarasara warau
Namida-mo kawaku
Nani-o doushite ki=ta-no-yara
Hana-no ma-ni ma-ni saeru sora
Ashita-o omo=eba fuan-ni naru-ga
Sekai-wa itsudemo gappuri-yotsu da-ze
Shirus=e! yuku haru-ni kuru haru-ni
Tat=eru sugata-o
Kaze-ni hanabira-no chiru mama-ni
Ono-ga kokoro-no saku mama-ni
The lyrics to Eastern Youth's song Bura Bura Bushi describe the minutiae of everyday life in a small Japanese town. The opening lines speak of a cat's shadow jumping and moving swiftly, symbolizing the fleeting nature of life itself. The lyrics then segue into a description of a riverbed with a bright and warm reflection, possibly indicating hope or optimism. However, it is quickly revealed that there is a sense of discomfort or pain in the area, possibly caused by electric shocks from power lines or the cawing of a crow. This idea of beauty laced with underlying pain is poetically portrayed as "cold winds that sweep over the feet like a broomstick over a stone floor, blowing away the scenery of the heart."
The lyrics shift to a train passing by, which the singer must wait for before they can remove their glasses and disappear with the train. The train seems to represent an escape from a mundane life, a chance to leave everything behind and start anew. The song continues with rich imagery of the summer landscape, including the strong heat, the dancing mirages, and the vibrant colors. The chorus ("Bura Bura Bushi") is a reference to a traditional Japanese folk song and is used as an exclamation to indicate wonder at the beauty of the world, despite all its problems and difficulties.
Line by Line Meaning
Tobida=shite yokogiru neko-no kage
The shadow of a cat leaps and passes by.
Hiyaase randa-no tsura-no kawa
The river of the cold winter sun shines brightly.
Na=ite iru-no-wa densen datta-ka
The crying voice, was it the transmission of electricity?
Zama-wa nee-ya-to karasu-no koe-ka
Was it the sound of a crow, or just some noise?
Fui-ni ashimoto-o sarau you-na tsumetai kaze-ga
The cold wind passes through and brushes past my feet suddenly.
Marude monuke-no kara-no you-na
Like being exposed to the air like a peeled potato.
Kokoro-no fuukei-o fukinuke=ta
It blew away the landscape of my heart.
Uta-o uta=eba
If I sing a song,
Sora-ni kieru-yo
It disappears into the sky.
Ma=tteta densha-wa nor=azuni okuru
The train I waited for leaves without me.
Megane-o hazus=eba ore-mo kieru-yo
If I take off my glasses, I disappear too.
Fui-ni shakunetsu-to kagerou-ga tachi+araware=te
The intense heat and the heat haze suddenly appear.
Marude enogu-de ka=ita you-na
It's like it's been painted with colored pencils.
Irihi-to kumo-ni hi-o tsuke=ta
The sunshine strikes the stones and the clouds.
Acchi-e kocchi-e buura bura
Here and there, it's all unsteady.
Buurari buurari buura bura
Softly, slowly, it's all unsteady.
Sarasara warau
It rustles and laughs.
Namida-mo kawaku
Even my tears dry up.
Nani-o doushite ki=ta-no-yara
I wonder why I've come here.
Hana-no ma-ni ma-ni saeru sora
The sky blooms in between the flowers.
Ashita-o omo=eba fuan-ni naru-ga
If I think about tomorrow, I become anxious.
Sekai-wa itsudemo gappuri-yotsu da-ze
The world is always packed to the brim.
Shirus=e! yuku haru-ni kuru haru-ni
I know! Spring goes and comes.
Tat=eru sugata-o
The figure standing tall.
Kaze-ni hanabira-no chiru mama-ni
The petals fall in the wind.
Ono-ga kokoro-no saku mama-ni
While my heart is blooming.
Contributed by Nathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.