Chiran no haha (Chiran mother)
Performed by Akiko Kuroiwa
Written by Michinosuke Iwata
Music composed by Hiroshi Yamanaka
Arranged by Hideaki Suzuki
King Record Co., 2004, CD
This CD has two songs performed by Akiko Kuroiwa and written
by Michinosuke Iwata: "Chiran no haha" (Chiran mother) and "Haha
wa oite mo" (Even if mother grows old). The mother in the first song lost
her son who made a sortie on a kamikaze attack during the Battle of Okinawa, and the
mother in the second song lost her daughter during the firebombing of Tokyo on
March 10, 1945, as she was working as a telephone operator. Both of these enka
songs have a similar style with a mix of spoken words and singing. The CD also
includes karaoke versions of the two songs.
Below is an English translation of "Chiran no haha"
(Chiran mother):
(spoken) March 1945 - American forces landed at Kerama Rettō. Japan
faced the war's worst situation. Chiran Airfield, nearest to Okinawa, became a
kamikaze base. Young men gathered there from around the country. They made sorties
with smiles to save the country in its time of crisis.
With fuel for only one way
They flew carrying bombs
Still baby-faced young cherry blossoms
White mufflers fluttering
Boys smiling, waving
Well done, with love for our country
(spoken) I read over and over the letters and diaries you wrote until
already I know them by heart. Even now you are just like you were then. Both
your fathers and mothers have reached an age when they very soon will be able
to meet you.
Rattling white wooden boxes
Make sounds of happy laughter
A bridal doll quietly
Side by side with a photo
How silly, mother talking to herself
Today also I'm talking with you
Our mothers live long
We give to you even our years
Gentle words left behind in writing
Our mothers could weep happily
Young cherry blossoms bravely fell
In eternity are blooming
(spoken) The peace in today's Japan is due to all the young men of
the Shinbu Corps scattered on the sea of Okinawa. Thank you. Thank you. Thank
you very much.
Translated by Bill Gordon
June 2006
|
