Gondola no Uta

nihongo|Gondola no Uta|ゴンドラの唄|extra="The Gondola Song" is a 1915 song that was popular during Taishō period Japan. Lyrics were written by Isamu Yoshii, melody by Shinpei Nakayama.

Lyrics in Kanji:

いのち短し　恋せよ少女
朱き唇　褪せぬ間に
熱き血潮の　冷えぬ間に
明日の月日の　ないものを

いのち短し　恋せよ少女
いざ手をとりて　彼の舟に
いざ燃ゆる頬を　君が頬に
ここには誰れも　来ぬものを

いのち短し　恋せよ少女
波に漂う　舟の様に
君が柔手を　我が肩に
ここには人目も　無いものを

いのち短し　恋せよ少女
黒髪の色　褪せぬ間に
心のほのお　消えぬ間に
今日はふたたび　来ぬものを

In rōmaji:

"inochi mijikashi"
"koi seyo otome"
"akaki kuchibiru"
"asenu ma ni"
"atsuki chishio no"
"hienu ma ni"
"asu no tsukihi no"
"nai mono wo"

"inochi mijikashi"
"koi seyo otome"
"iza te wo torite"
"ka no fune ni"
"iza moyuru ho wo"
"kimiga ho ni"
"koko ni wa dare mo"
"konu mono wo"

"inochi mijikashi"
"koi seyo otome"
"nami ni tadayou "
"fune no yo ni"
"kimiga yawate wo "
"waga kata ni"
"koko niwa hitome mo "
"nai mono wo"

"inochi mijikashi"
"koi seyo otome"
"kurokami no iro "
"asenu ma ni"
"kokoro no honoo"
"kienu ma ni"
"kyou wa futatabi"
"konu mono wo"

In English:

"life is brief."
"fall in love, maidens"
"before the crimson bloom"
"fades from your lips"
"before the tides of passion "
"cool within you,"
"for those of you "
"who know no tomorrow"

"life is brief"
"fall in love, maidens"
"before his hands"
"take up his boat"
"before the flush of his cheeks fades"
"for those of you"
"who will never return here"

"life is brief"
"fall in love, maidens"
"before the boat drifts away"
"on the waves"
"before the hand resting on your shoulder"
"becomes frail"
"for those who will never"
"be seen here again"

"life is brief"
"fall in love, maidens"
"before the raven tresses "begin to fade"
"before the flame in your hearts"
"flicker and die"
"for those to whom today "
"will never return"

It was used as a theme song in Akira Kurosawa's 1952 film "Ikiru". [Internet Movie Database, [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044741/soundtrack "Gondola no Uta", Written by Shinpei Nakayama] . "Ikiru" at imdb.com. Accessed 2008 September 26.]

The song is also referenced in the Japanese anime titled, "Fushigi Yūgi Genbu Kaiden."

From the song, the phrase "Life is short, fall in love maidens..." ("Inochi mijikashi, koi seyo otome...") has gained some popularity during the 1990's Japan. Especially the phrase "Koi Seyo Otome" has been used as the title for several songs and a Japanese television drama.

Some parts of the song are also used in the video game series Sakura Wars, sometimes as a subtitle of some of the games of the series (Especially in Sakura Wars 1,2, and 4)

References / External links