(from Ogura Kyakunin Isshu, waka 12 by SŌJŌ HENJŌ:
Amatsu kaze
Kumo no kayoiji
Fuki tojiyo
Otome no sugata
Shibashi todomemu.
[translation:]
O winds from on high,
blow shut
that path through the clouds,
so that I can detain a moment longer
these heavenly maidens' forms!)
(from Ogura Kyakunin Isshu, waka 16 by CHŪ-NAGON ARIWARA NO YUKI-HIRA:
Tachi wakare
Inaba no yama no
Mine ni ōru
Matsu to shi kikaba
Ima kaeri-komu.
[translation:]
Even if I depart now
and leave for Mount Inaba,
on whose peak grow pines,
if I hear you pine for me
I will right away hurry back!)
(from Ogura Kyakunin Isshu, waka 18 by FUJIWARA NO TOSHI-YUKI ASON:
Sumi-no-ye no
Kishi ni yoru nami
Yoru sae ya
Yume no kayoi-ji
Hito-me yokuramu.
[translation:]
Are you so afraid of people's eyes
that not even at night,
over dream paths,
you come to me like the waves
that approach the shore of Suminoe?)
(from Ogura Kyakunin Isshu, waka 19 by LADY ISE:
Naniwa gata
Mijikaki ashi no
Fushi no ma mo
Awade kono yo wo,
Sugushite yo to ya.
[translation:]
Are you telling me
to go through this life
without meeting even as brief
as the space between joints
on the reeds at Naniwa Inlet?)
(NeoTokyo Subway Lyrics by Chase Maxwell)
I got lost on the NeoTokyo subway.
They pushed my baby in another car.
I hope I can see you again someday,
no matter how near or far.
No one plays koto anymore in the city.
This metropolis has grown too large.
Another advertisement for Hello Kitty,
and I might carve Hello Kitty in my arm.
Somebody hand me my katana.
Watashi wa uma ni noru. [translation: I will ride a horse.]
I'll meet you in hell to fight Lord Yama.
Whatever happened to Bosozuku?
No one plays koto anymore in the city.
Watashi wa uma ni noru. [translation: I will ride a horse.]
I got lost on the NeoTokyo subway.
You ever seen a soul so blue?
I hope I can meet you again someday.
Guess I'll fight if I have to.
credits
from VOCA TERRA (Sounds of the Miles),
released April 20, 2017
Chase Maxwell - Lyrics, Vocals, Synthesizers, Bells, Drums, Bass, Gong, Electric Piano
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