-
31st March 2011
Pray for Japan
It is a bit late for me to be making this posting, but I figured it’s better late than never.
As most people know now, there had been a 9.0 magnitude earthquake + 30' tsunami + ongoing nuclear reactor crisis in Japan. Sometimes, when we face the awesome force of nature, unfathomable as we mill about in our day-to-day, there is a sense of utter powerlessness. When such a tragic threefold disaster and its aftermath unravels unceremoniously in front our eyes, we are stunned, shocked, scared, then we slowly crawl our way back to normalcy, if only to preserve our fragile sanity from being crushed by such sorrow.
But normalcy for some have been irreversibly changed.
While I look through this posting on a Taiwanese website, I saw a song that really touched me. It’s by my beloved Yoko Kanno (1), paired on Youtube with the amazingly gorgeous and touching series of “Smile” pictures drawn by Takehiko Inoue (2). I have translated the lyrics and have also placed a link to the Google site, which links directly to the Japanese Red Cross. Albeit Red Cross is reputed to spend too much of the donated money on their administrative fees, they are also one of the few groups with enough organization and reach to actually help people in disaster areas. Too often people donate at the beginning of a disaster, and the influx of funds is improperly appropriated. But help will always be needed, especially as Japan rebuilds. Let the Japanese people know that they have not been forgotten. That the world is still with them.
Many things have been said about the admirable ways the Japanese people stolidly accepted and handled these disasters, sometimes sacrificing themselves in order to save others. One only needs to look on the internet if one is interested. There were also criticisms, from those who point their fingers at Pearl Harbor or Chinese people who hang on to the torturous memories of past, when the Japanese people had inflicted incredible pain upon them or their ancestors. Most of these people did not personally suffer the pain but were borrowing the pain of previous generations to build self-identity. Most people in the modern age benefited more from than suffered because of the Japanese people. But I digress. This is subject for another long tirade.
This post is to implore you to remember that the situation is continuing, not ended. If you have a little to spare, donating it to a worthy cause will feel much better than that next big meal.
君でいて、無事でいて [Youtube]作曲︰菅野よう子
作詞︰一倉宏心配してる、世界が君を心配してる
君の名前を探してる
一緒にいるよ、世界が君と一緒にいるよ
君の命に会いに行く
心と体壊さず君を
抱きしめて会いに行くまで
君でいて、無事でいてbe as You are, be safe [Donate]
we are worried
People of the World
are worried about You
we are searching for Your name
we are with You
People of the World are
there with You
we are coming to meet You
for Your life
until we come to embrace
You
- still unharmed, both body and spirit -
please
be as You are
please
be safe… (I did not use a period, because there is no end.)Another way I was able to help myself become stronger is to do some translations of messages on Pray for Japan (there are many other language versions too):
"Tomorrow, my father, who was expecting to retire in half a year, will be sent to the Fukujima nuclear site for support. When I heard that he volunteered, I cried. 'How we respond today will affect the future of nuclear [energy]. I have a sense of mission.’ My father, whom I always thought as unreliable at home, today, I'm so incredibly proud of you. I pray that you return home safe."
"An Israeli man spoke to me in Hebrew and I freaked out. A Palestinian friend passing by translated for me 'Is Japan ok? I'll pray deeply for you.' Then the Israeli and Palestinian shook hands and smiled. I cried."
“Someone important to me is working in the disaster area as a member of the self-defense force. [They are] resting 3 out of 24 hours. I emailed and asked ‘are you ok?’ He said ‘this is why we were trained. There are people who still believe that “[we are] not helpless,” so I feel fine too.’ Somehow, please express even stronger gratitude toward them.”
“After the disaster, the strong adults are who made me smile. A smile can spread. [I] exchanged an email with mom. At the end she wrote ‘Even if you think about it, there’s not much you can do, but you don’t want to regret anything, so live with a smile.” Yup, live with a smile. I sent her that reply, then I cried like a baby. How I really do love my mother.”
“I was checking the emergency pack at home and found a message that my father left 40 years ago. ‘Hold the sun in your heart, have a song on your lips.’ I will also write a message in the new emergency pack, so that whoever sees it will be encouraged.”
“Today, my 5 years old son said to me, ‘mommy, it’ll be ok. If an earthquake comes I will protect your head. And after the earthquake I will take you outside to grandpa’s place.’ Looking at my son, who’s trying to protect me with his tiny body, I cried. I never thought an ‘it’ll be ok’ from a child would hold so much power. Thank you, my son.”
“One of these days, I will say to my children or grandchildren ‘when grandma was young, there was a massive earthquake in eastern Japan. Then the world became one. Everyone bonded together and supported each other with all their power for a single purpose, and their spirit shone brightly.’ I shall speak until my listeners have had their fill. Because even as just one person, I want to make more people happier.”
“It’s so very dark; the stars that until now we were never able to see, are beautiful. Everyone in Sendai, look upward.”
(1) Music composer for series: Escaflowne, Macross, Cowboy Bebop, etc.
(2) Mangaka of series: Slam Dunk, Vagabond, etc. -
31st May 2010
Butterfly 蝴蝶 (胡彦斌, TR: Aka)
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="292" caption="Beautiful pair."]
[/caption]Butterfly
What wrongs could happiness do
when shared by two hearts that are true.
Obstruction without any reason
there is no crime more cruel.The social mandate to match ranks
has led so many innocents to ruin.
Lovers forced to part
so much misery created in the world.Storm clouds shroud
the wedding party’s road.
Her heart has already decided
what destiny the future holds.
For love her life shall end.He has already departed
and dances as a butterfly
in the skies for all to behold.
Such is the beauty of life
in a most dazzling show.
In the morning dew
as an unbounded soul
in flight to a free world
even if just a tree hole.Reality is lamentable
it is time to let go.
She would rather
reincarnate as an animal.Their suffering and tears are told
through the centuries in every household
The Butterfly Lovers
continue to make their love song known.
-------------------------------------------
T/N: For Jay [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Dance of Life"][/caption]
蝴蝶 (胡彦斌)
两厢情愿的幸福
有什么错误
蛮不讲理的隔阻
比绑架还要残酷
门当户对的世俗
害了多少无辜
有情人不能眷属
人世间那么多无助
乌云密布
迎娶的路
心里早已想好了归宿
为爱付出
他的生命已经结束
化作蝴蝶飞舞
天空灿烂夺目
是生命绚丽的蓝图
迎着晨露
无拘无束
到一个自由的国度
哪怕仅仅是一棵树
人间可恶
留恋何苦
还不如与蜘蛛为伍
梁祝一曲流传千古
是你如泣如诉的苦 -
9th February 2010
The Year of Fate 流年 (Faye Wong 王菲，TR: Aka)
The Year of Fate
(Translated by Aka)Fallen for the missing piece of an Angel
Mesmerized by words of the Devil
the Lord sat upon his cloud-edge seat
blinked and wrinkled his brow
then nodded for the story to proceed.Fallen for a passionate diversion
for no longer than a flower is in perfection
As you stood next to me
and casually flashed into my vision
a light lacerated the clear May skies
and all was brightened.One random day
on a star-crossed pathway
this ill-fated drama
was destined to play.So very suddenly, fortune’s threads
wove intertwined lines
through the Heart of our hands.The distance
before innocence became misplaced
to after Love’s bittersweet taste
measured only but a day.
Can’t ask it to stay
nor trace its way
Such, is the Year of Fate.
(That very moment \ a lifetime \ changed.)The time we encountered the firework display
was a chance to reincarnate
but the Commanding Star passed by
and took you astray
without any goodbyes
a light year away.----------------------------------------------T/N: Happy Chinese New Year/Valentines Day! My first lyric translation of the year!!! Right before the CNY too! I was totally obsessed with this song for about a month and finally decided to make an attempt at translation… ah the beauty of Chinese… (yes yes I’m a dork). I took quite a lot of liberties with this translation, both in selecting words and interpretation of the intentions of the lyric writer (the matchless Albert Lin Xi). Also, I decided to add a more “mystical” flavor to this translation, fully utilizing the various references to Chinese fortune telling. The story I told was basically of someone who (being egging on of both the Gods and the Devil) fell for the wrong person and ended up in heartbreak; an actor in a tragic play directed by the powers that be. Very typical story, but so beautifully told.Chinese culture related clarifications:Year of Fate – 流年 (liu2 nian2) actually means passing years or (in this particular song) a person’s fortune in a particular year. I had to tweak it a little to make it sound more poetic in English.
Commanding Star – 紫薇星 (zi3 wei1 xing1) This is the star of leaders and commanders. No standard translation; I’m using this particular translation for emphasis on the power and inescapable grasp of this star.
Lines in the Hands – In Chinese fortune telling, the lines in people’s palms tell their entire life’s tale, i.e. Palm Reading.流年 (王菲)愛上一個天使的缺點
用一種魔鬼的語言
上帝在雲端 只眨了一眨眼
最後眉一皺 頭一點愛上一個認真的消遣
用一朵花開的時間
你在我旁邊 只打了個照面
五月的晴天 閃了電有生之年 狹路相逢 終不能倖免
手心忽然長出 糾纏的曲線
懂事之前 情動以後 長不過一天
留不住 算不出 流年 (哪一年 讓一生 改變)遇見一場煙火的表演
用一場輪迴的時間
紫微星流過 來不及說再見
已經遠離我 一光年 -
17th June 2009
The Wheel of Fortune - Pt 1: The Wheel
Browsing through Mary K. Greer's website, I came across this lovely video. I love the song and the lyrics and it was a fun game to go through the video and try to pick up which cards actually make an appearance. Some of the imagery was very obvious while others need a little interpretation. My favorite was the Hang Man. :D
How long was I asleep? [4S]
When did we plan to meet? [2C]
Have you been waiting long for me? [9W?7W?]When did the sky turn black? [Moon]
Do you still want me back? [5C]
I'll pick it all up piece by piece. [5S or 5C]And the wheel goes round and round. [Wheel]
And the flame in our souls will never burn out. [Tower]
And the wheel, and the wheel goes round.I am a river with a voice. [8W?]
I came into your life by choice. [Lovers]
And none can judge just how that feels. [QnC]You are a messenger from God. [Temperance]
You are the angel I forgot. [Star]
And who's to say that it isn't real? [Fool]And the wheel goes round and round.
And the flame in our souls will never burn out.
And the wheel, and the wheel goes round.I'm not looking for the answers. [Fool]
Oh, darling don't you see [2S]
That just to know the question [3W?]
Is good enough for me.Take up the hearts you came to heal. [3S]
Put down your dagger and your shield. [7S?5S?]
You need fear nothing now from me. [Death]I see the essence of the man. [High Priestess?]
I stand before you as a friend. [PageW]
The truth moves through us even when we sleep. [Justice]And the wheel goes round and round.
And the flame in our souls will never burn out.
And the wheel, and the wheel goes round.Cards that I think make an appearance (list may change and feel free to add): 8 swords, 4 swords, World, King/Knight Swords, Lovers, 2 wands, 9 pentacles, 2 swords, 4 wands, 2 cups, 5 cups, Ace cups, Hermit, 6 wands, 5 wands, Knight Wands, 6 cups, 6 pentacles, Ace pentacles, Queen cups, Hang Man, 5 swords, Ace swords, 10 pentacles, Queen pentacles, Temperance. You can also fit a lot of the cards into the lyrics too. Too cool!
-
7th April 2009
紐約唐人街惡搞（改自周杰倫上海1943）
本曲改自周杰倫周董的上海1943。這曲子有種懷舊的調調﹐還有一種像是時光穿梭的感覺﹐所以不幸雀屏中選。 這篇應該算是半惡搞吧﹖請各位原諒我的惡趣味…
堅尼路旁邊建起遊客訪站
金色的長龍被困鐵欄中間
可惜油漆上得真太過刺眼
不是龍才能代表我的模樣珠江百貨商品是各色各樣
無奈衣服穿上就開始走樣
到底只是為了遊客的銅板
無奈只好另外找別家店孔子像的頭上鳥糞已堆滿
偶爾還有鳥兒游蕩
儒家先賢最近只能充當相約碰面的地方生活的 腳步聲 匆匆忙忙
何時有 能停下 回首的空檔
剩下的 舊破爛
卻原來充當著日後溫馨的記憶和回想
當天的 景象是 陌生平凡
許多年後 回看 卻仍有印象
鞦韆板 雞翅膀
心中的記憶盒保存的是遺忘不了的點滴過往（原歌詞）
上海一九四三
詞:方文山 曲:周杰倫泛黃的春聯還殘留在牆上
依稀可見幾個字歲歲平安
在我沒回去過的老家米缸
爺爺用楷書寫一個滿黃金葛爬滿了雕花的門窗
夕陽斜斜映在斑駁的磚牆
鋪著櫸木板的屋內還瀰漫
姥姥當年釀的豆瓣醬我對著黑白照片開始想像
爸和媽當年的模樣
說著一口吳儂軟語的姑娘緩緩走過外灘消失的 舊時光 一九四三
在回憶 的路上 時間變好慢
老街坊 小弄堂
是屬於那年代白牆黑瓦的淡淡的憂傷消失的 舊時光 一九四三
回頭看 的片段 有一些風霜
老唱盤 舊皮箱
裝滿了明信片的鐵盒裡藏著一片玫瑰花瓣 -
9th February 2009
再見了，浪漫
再見了，浪漫 (Translated by Aka with input and interpretation by Steven)昨天它來了又走
2/9/08 T/N: Haha… my first Eng>Chi lyric translation as requested by Steven. Hopefully not too bad. >_< I just realized that I have (out of… personal er… OCD-ness) to make the lyrics sing-able… o_O The problem is that I have to listen to the song N times and then find the right words… lol.(original)
明天是否晴朗天
或還是雨
大家拼命在狂歡
我只有孤單作伴
恥辱陪我行我說：再見了，浪漫，耶！
再見了，朋友！我說了
跟過去做告別
我們或許會相見
在最終點相見
我曾是皇帝，也是小丑
破碎的翅膀擋不了方向
我自由飛翔
小丑戴著破皇冠
不會再是我出場
不再浪費感情我知道：時間剛好，正是現在
雖然知道你會對我說
你會怎麽做？
你會怎麽做？
把握這個機會
再見了，朋友，和浪漫
還有 你們
還有 你們
嘿！來吧！今年冬天好漂亮
我知道太陽會再度出現
清洗腦中的片斷
與過去說再見
Goodbye To Romance - Ozzy OsbourneYesterday has been and gone
Tomorrow will I find the sun
or will it rain
Everybody's having fun
Except me I'm the lonely one
I live in shame(chorus)
I said goodbye to romance, yeah
Goodbye to friends, I tell you
Goodbye to all the past
I guess that we'll meet,
we'll meet in the end
I've been the king, I've been the clown
now broken wings can't hold me down
I'm free again
The jester with the broken crown
It won't be me this time around
to love in vain(repeat chorus)and I feel the time is right
although I know that you just might say to me
what you gonna do
what you gonna do
But I have to check this chance
goodbye to friends and to romance
And to all of you
And to all of you
Come'on now!(repeat chorus)and the winter is looking fine
and I think the sun will shine again
and I feel I've cleaned my mind
all the past is left behind again -
9th February 2009
The Southern Country 國境之南 (Fan Van 范逸臣, TR: Aka)
The Southern Country (Translated by Aka)
If the sea could speak
If the wind falls in love with sand
If some of your memories
Were lost on this long vacation
I will listen to the waves
And let the wind dance with my hair
May the love that remains in my memory
make a splash in the tides of timeNot until Spring is gone will Summer come
I finally understand as I look behind
When sunlight - again -
Returns to that Southern Country
Where rain falls persistently
I will try to continue and
finish that year’s story
When sunlight again
Departs that too-bright Southern Country
Will you return all my love with a smile
before you leave?The sea is still blue
And stars still shine
My arms are still empty.
The sky is wide
On the night with I sing my song alone
Please forgive that my love
is being unraveled too slowly.When sunlight - again -
Returns to that Southern Country
Where rain falls persistently
I will try to continue and
finish that year’s story
When sunlight again
Departs that too- bright Southern Country
Will you return all my love with a smile
before you leave?2/8/09 T/N – this is a requested translation of a song from Cape 7 that is long overdue. Hopefully it’s to the requestor’s satisfaction.(original)范逸臣 - 國境之南
詞：嚴云農如果海會說話
如果風愛上砂
如果有些想念
遺忘在漫長的長假
我會聆聽浪花
讓風吹過頭發
任記憶里的愛情
在時間潮汐里喧嘩非得等春天遠了夏天才近了
我是在回首時終于懂得
當陽光 再次
回到那飄著雨的國境之南
我會試著把那一年的故事
再接下去說完
當陽光 再次
離開那太晴朗的國境之南
妳會不會把妳曾帶走的愛
在告別前用微笑全歸還海很藍 星光燦爛
我仍空著我的臂彎
天很寬 在我獨自唱歌的夜晚
請原諒我的愛訴說的太緩慢當陽光 再次
回到那飄著雨的國境之南
我會試著把那一年的故事
再接下去說完
當陽光 再次
離開那太晴朗的國境之南
妳會不會把妳曾帶走的愛
在告別前用微笑全歸還 -
3rd February 2009
Simple Love 簡單愛 (Jay Chou 周杰倫, TR: Aka)
Simple Love (Translated by Aka)
I can’t really say why
that I’m acting so bold.
When you fall in love
then anything is worthwhile to do.
I wanna announce to the world
how attached I am to you
that even the neighbors can guess
how I feel.Wind on the riverside
blowing waves into your hair.
Holding your hand
I’m suddenly so touched.
I wanna to take you
back to grand-ma’s house.
Watch the sunset together
until we both fall asleep.I wanna hold your hand and never let go.
Oh Just. Like. This.
Can love just stay innocent
and free from sorrow?
I -
wanna take you on a bike ride.
I -
wanna take you to a ball game.
Just like this without a care
singing our song
and walking along.I wanna hold your hand and never let go.
Oh Just. Like. This.
Can love just stay simple
and free from hurt?
You -
resting your head on my shoulder.
You -
falling asleep on my chest.Life, Just. Like. This.
I love you.
You love me.Just a little sim-ple love~
Just a little sim-ple love~T/N 2/2/09: Another translation for Evita. She wanted something upbeat… which made me realize it’s really HARD to translate HAPPY stuff. T_T
(original)簡單愛
曲 : 周杰倫 詞 : 徐若瑄 說不上為什麼 我變得很主動
若愛上一個人 什麼都會值得去做
我想大聲宣佈 對妳依依不捨
連隔壁鄰居都猜到我現在的感受河邊的風 在吹著頭髮飄動
牽著妳的手 一陣莫名感動
我想帶妳 回我的外婆家
一起看著日落 一直到我們都睡著我想就這樣牽著妳的手不放開
愛能不能夠永遠單純沒有悲哀
我 想帶妳騎單車
我 想和妳看棒球
想這樣沒擔憂 唱著歌 一直走我想就這樣牽著妳的手不放開
愛可不可以簡簡單單沒有傷害
妳 靠著我的肩膀
妳 在我胸口睡著
像這樣的生活 我愛妳 妳愛我想 簡！簡！單！單！ 愛~~~~~~~~~~
想 簡！簡！單！單！ 愛~~~~~~~~~~ -
28th January 2009
What about the Happiness Promised? 說好的幸福呢 (Jay Chou 周杰倫, TR: Aka)
What about the Happiness Promised? (Translated by Aka)
Your replies are in disarray
at this time, on this day.
I remember the doves by the fountain side
scattering happiness on their way.
Struggling emotions are trying to convey
that: Hey,
I still love you.
But you sing in broken strings and pretend
that everything’s the same.As time goes by, runs away,
love has choices to make.
You grow so distant, and tired,
then I cried.
You write your feelings on a card
from the sorrow in the start
I finally understand
love that can’t be given
must end. What is it?
You are exhausted.
What about the happiness we
promised to create?
It’s okay, let’s not say it,
love grows gray, and dreams faded.
You don’t want to let go
of happy times and those not,
recalling each by heart.
I will always remember our past love
so deeply engraved into my thoughts, butYou won’t wait,
what about the happiness we
promised to create?
It’s my fault, dry the tears,
I’ll release your hands,
then face regret.
Just that memory’s music box
still spins and sings
How can I make it stop?What is it?
You are exhausted.
What about the happiness we
promised to create?
It’s okay, let’s not say it,
love grows gray, and dreams faded
I still remember.
You won’t wait,
what about the happiness we
promised to create?
It’s my fault, dry the tears,
I’ll release your hands,
then face regret.
Just that memory’s music box
still spins and sings
How can I make it stop?1/23-1/27/09 T/N: Finally. Something I’ve been wanting to do for myself. Done. N drafts: 1) direct trans, 2) line break, 3) rhyme, 4) feel, 5) fit to melody… repeat… N) overall. Yes, you can sing to this if you don’t care about things getting thrown at you. It could use a new arrangement. ^^(original)說好的幸福呢
填詞 : 方文山 作曲 : 周杰倫 監製 : 周杰倫你的回話凌亂著 在這個時刻
我想起噴泉旁的白鴿 甜蜜散落了
情緒莫名的拉扯 我還愛你呢
而你斷斷續續唱著歌 假裝沒事了時間過了 走了 愛情面臨選擇
你冷了 倦了 我哭了
一開始的不快樂 你用卡片手寫著
有些愛只給到這真的懂了怎麼了 你累了 說好的 幸福呢
我懂了 不說了 愛淡了 夢遠了
開心與不開心 一一細數著 你再不捨
那些愛過的感覺都太深刻 我都還記得你不等了 說好的 幸福呢
我錯了 淚乾了 放手了 後悔了
只是回憶的音樂盒還旋轉著 要怎麼停呢怎麼了 妳累了 說好的 幸福呢
我懂了 不說了 愛淡了 夢遠了 我都還記得
妳不等了 說好的 幸福呢
我錯了 淚乾了 放手了 後悔了
只是回憶的音樂盒還旋轉著 要怎麼停呢 -
25th January 2009
Harmony of December (Kinki Kids, TR: Aka)
Harmony of December (Translated by Aka)
The dry north wind gathers fallen leaves
In a voice that seems happy, “looks like it’ll snow tonight”.
In the same park as always, a quiet night comes today.
Our fingers ever so gently locked…
the warmth of just the two of us.Suddenly I realize, that flower blooming in my heart
always smiling by me….I want to see you, I want to see you now, even if we were apart only for a second.
My thoughts of you are like white feathers
wandering through the night sky.
Holding you, I flap my wings towards beyond eternity.
Do not ever disappear, this love.In the busy streets, there is a tenderness
that cannot be hidden.
As we walk crossed paths, watching exchanges of smiles, ,
I can think, how wonderful this is.So that your wishes may come true
I will watch over you.Kisses in layers, like playing the harmony of December.
The days that I’m with you, I am alive.I want to see you, I want to see you now, above all words
just be by my side. If you are here, it is enough.I want to see you, I want to see you now, even if we were apart for only a second.
My thoughts of you are like white feathers
wandering in the night sky
Holding you, I flap my wings towards beyond eternity.
Do not ever disappear, this loveThe dry north wind gathers the fallen leaves
“looks like it’ll snow tonight”
You and I together… uh…(original)Harmony of December - Kinki Kids乾いた北風が ひゅるり落ち葉を集めてる
「今夜は雪が降りそうだね」
うれしそうな声で
いつもの公園に 今日は静かな夜が来る
つないだ指がとてもやさしい ふたりきりの温度ふと気づけばいつも隣で笑ってる
僕の心に咲く花* 君に会いたい いま会いたい 離れた一秒も
僕の想いは 夜空彷徨う白い羽根さ
君を抱いて 羽ばたいて 永遠(とわ)よりも彼方へ
消えないでいて この恋よずっと忙しそうな街に 埋もれない優しさがある
道を行き交う微笑み見ると
良かったなって思える君の願い事が叶うように僕は
そっと守っていくんだ何度もキスを重ね 12月を奏でよう
君との日々に 僕は生きているよ君に会いたい いま会いたい どんな言葉よりも
そばにおいで 君がいるなら ただそれだけで…君に会いたい いま会いたい 離れた一秒も
僕の想いは 夜空彷徨う白い羽根さ
君を抱いて 羽ばたいて 永遠よりも彼方へ
消えないでいて この恋よずっと乾いた北風が ひゅるり落ち葉を集めてる
「今夜は雪が降りそうだね」
君とふたり…uh
-
Sze K. Aka Chan's Posterous
歸去，也無風雨也無晴。
Walking the Fool's Journey.79316 ViewsTwitterFacebook -
Pages
-
Archive
-
Get Updates
