doom and gloom

Requested by Primity, lets see: Having to repeat a fate over and over, despite knowing it’ll end badly? I’m somewhat reminded of Homura.

Notes: I felt somewhat unsatisfied with my translation here, as you might have noticed from my many edits since I posted. The song seems more clear in the second half, but it woulda been really nice to have some pre-established context to work from this time around. It seems that here, the singer has an opposing force. The singer wants the opposing force to give up her evil ways, as evidenced by “Your eyes, body, and heart burn red | Release it into this blue sky.” Maybe it’s a friend, and that’s who the speaker is fighting to save. This song was somewhat tough, I had to rely a lot on the “this”s and “that”s for perspective, who the speech was aimed at here, which can be pretty vague at times. After relistening countless times, I think I’ve got it down though.

★ Title: doom and gloom
☆ Album: SIN
★ Album Artist: Primary
☆ Vocals and lyrics: yuiko
★ Arrangement: Meis Clauson
☆ Website: http://primary-yuiko.com/

 

そっと始まった物語は
何度もわたしを操っていた

sotto hajimatta monogatari wa
nando mo watashi o ayatsutteita

The story that started so gently
has manipulated me many times

その度祈った
この世界はきっと
悲しみに溢れ 泣いているから

sono tabi inotta
kono sekai wa kitto
kanashimi ni afure naiteiru kara

Each time I prayed
was because this world was surely
crying, overflowed with sadness

また繰り返すのだろう 人のあやまちを
その運命を辿るように
たった一つの願いも このカラダのように
灰となって 消えてしまうだけ

mata kuri kaesu no darou hito no ayamachi o
sono unmei o tadoru you ni
tatta hitotsu no negai mo kono karada no you ni
hai to natte kiete shimau dake

I’ll have to repeat the mistakes of mankind again won’t I?
In order to follow that fate

Even my single desire, just like this body,
will just turn to ash and disappear

その声はいつも 聞こえていた
わたしの行くべき道を告げた

sono koe wa itsumo kikoeteita
watashi no yuku beki michi o tsugeta

I could always hear that voice
it told me which path I should take

その度叫んだ
この手を振り上げ
“今度こそは”強く 願いながら

sono tabi sakenda
kono te o furi age
“kondo koso wa” tsuyoku negai nagara

Each time I shouted out
I raised my hands up high
while wishing strongly “This time, I’ll definitely…”

この悲しみの果てに 何が見えるだろう
小さな声で呟いても
また同じ結末が 待っているのなら
この運命は 何故繰り返すのか

kono kanashimi no hate ni nani ga mieru darou
chiisa na koe de tsubuyaitemo
mata onaji ketsumatsu ga matteiru no nara
kono unmei wa naze kurikaesu no ka

At the edge of this sorrow, what do you think I’ll see?
Even though I mutter with a small voice
If the same ending really is waiting for me again
why is this fate repeating?

もう何度目だろう この階段
昇りきれば また終わるだけだ
最期をわかっているのに ただ
この身はどうして動くの?

mou nandome darou kono kaidan
nobori kireba mata owaru dake da
saigo o wakatteiru noni tada
kono mi wa doushite ugoku no?

How many times has it been already?
If I scale these stairs it’ll just end again
I understand my final moments so why
does my body keep on moving?

赤く燃える その瞳を 躰を 心を
この青空に解き放って
またわたしは始める 同じ運命を
変わることない結末でも
気高い思いだけは 失くさないままで
何度でも 手を振り上げるのだろう

akaku moeru sono me o karada o kokoro o
kono aozora ni toki hanatte
mata watashi wa hajimeru onaji unmei o
kawaru koto nai ketsumatsu demo
kedakai omoi dake wa nakusanai mama de
nando demo te o furi ageru no darou

Your eyes, body, and heart burn red
Release it into this blue sky
Once again I start the same old fate
Even though the ending won’t change
the one thing I won’t lose are my high hopes
no matter how many times it takes I’ll raise my arms up high

Status Update

One of my all time favourite tracks ^

 

Whew, what a month it’s been. Things have really been growing around here lately! I’m really surprised at how many visits and views I’ve gotten this month. Of course, I have to thank those who have requested songs too! When I started this place, I decided I’d try my best to post a translation a day, and you’ve all helped a lot! I started translating lyrics with the goal to help people, and it looks like this goal is starting to really reach its potential. 12 requests this month, what a number! I’m really behind on adding entries to the touhou wiki though, and I need to catch up on adding romaji to older lyrics too. On top of that, I’ve been putting some work into an “About Learning Japanese” page, which will cover a lot of resources I’ve used in learning. I hope people will find it helpful!

Let’s see, what else did I have to say? Well, it feels like with each song I translate, I get a little better. Finding better ways to put things to English, getting more and more used to the ways songs are worded, learning new vocabulary and kanji, etc. In the beginning, it used to be pretty tough figuring out stuff sometimes, but I’m getting used to it now.

That being said, I’m really anticipating Reitaisai 11. If Alstroemeria Records comes out with another album with a brand new set of tracks, then will come the test I’ve been waiting for. During last Comiket, I had tried my hand at Maniacal Degree from Decade of Expose, and while I did somewhat well, I did make some.. dumb mistakes and bad wording choices, as well as overlooked the context a little, but now, this time, I’m ready!  The popularity of Alstroemeria gives me a lot of potential to bring along new folks to the site, so I’m going to have to do my best and get to them before anyone else!

 

Thanks for keeping with me! Until next time.

 

flower

Ah.. there was no video for this one either, but it’s such a great song! Been addicted to this one and the 2 keys rock arrange for a while now. Notes about this song would be a little spoilery I feel, so skip over them below if you want to experience the song first. I don’t know how obvious the surprise would be though, reading it in English.

Notes: Whoa whoa, I was reading this in the beginning thinking that the speaker here meant her loved one had passed away, but then during the line “Even though I’m not there anymore,” “not there anymore” generally has the nuance of death in Japanese, which implies that the speaker was the one who died. This evidence can be supported looking at phrases such as “In a world far away.” In that case, then when she said “I grow to want our paths to overlap,” could she have meant.. she wants him to also die just so she can see him again? The things you’d do for love…

★ Title: flower
☆ Album: Dancing Dollz
★ Album Artist: ZYTOKINE
☆ Vocals: aki
★ Arrangement and lyrics: Linjin (隣人)
☆ Original Title: Unknown Flower, Mesmerizing Journey (未知の花 魅知の旅)
★ Website: http://zytokine-web.com/

笑う事 忘れた あの日に
無くしたものは 重く
それでもね 季節が巡って
またあの花が 咲いたよ

warau koto wasureta ano hi ni
nakushita mono wa omoku
sore demo ne kisetsu ga megutte
mata ano hana ga saita yo

On the day I forgot how to laugh
what I had lost weighed heavily on me
but even still, the seasons continued to cycle
Those flowers have bloomed once again

君が 好きな 風に揺れる花
とても とても きれいに咲いているよ

kimi ga suki na kaze ni yureru hana
totemo totemo kirei ni saiteiru yo

The flowers that you love waving in the breeze
are blooming, are blooming very prettily

独りきりじゃ わからなかった
君が教えてくれた 花の香り その美しさ
風に 凪いでいる

hitorikiri ja wakaranakatta
kimi ga oshiete kureta hana no kaori sono utsukushisa
kaze ni naideiru

I didn’t understand it by myself
You were the one who taught me about the flower’s fragrance, that beauty
calming down with the wind

遠い世界で 同じように
君も見ていますか
あの日と同じ 花を

tooi sekai de onaji you ni
kimi mo miteimasu ka
ano hi to onaji hana o

In a world far away, just like I am
are you also looking at them?
At these flowers, just like those old days

記憶に 浮かぶ
君の優しい笑顔と微笑み
雲間にのぞく 星の色に
とても良く似て 君の旅路に重なりたくなる
もう一度だけ 出会えたなら

kioku ni ukabu
kimi no yasashii egao to hohoemi
kumoma ni nozoku hoshi no iro ni
totemo yoku nite kimi no tabiji ni kasanaritaku naru
mou ichido dake de aeta nara

Floating in memories
I see your gentle face and your smile
Peeking between the clouds, it looked very similar
to the colour of the stars – I grow to want our paths to overlap
if we could have met again just one more time

君が 好きな 風に揺れる花
とても とても きれいに咲いているよ

kimi ga suki na kaze ni yureru hana
totemo totemo kirei ni saiteiru yo

The flowers that you love waving in the breeze
are blooming, are blooming very prettily

独りきりで ただ泣いていた
僕はもういないけど
花が揺れて 心が揺れて 風に 泣いている

hitorikiri de tada naiteita
boku wa mou inai kedo
hana ga yurete kokoro ga yurete kaze ni naiteiru

All alone I had just cried
Even though I’m not there anymore
as the flowers sway, my heart also sways, and I cry to the wind

遠い旅路で 笑いながら
君も見ていますか
あの日と同じ 花を

tooi tabiji de warai nagara
kimi mo miteimasu ka
ano hi to onaji hana o

While smiling on this far journey
are you also looking at them?
At these flowers, just like those old days

独りきりじゃ わからなかった
君が教えてくれた 花の香り その美しさ
風に 凪いでいる

hitorikiri ja wakaranakatta
kimi ga oshiete kureta hana no kaori sono utsukushisa
kaze ni naideiru

I didn’t understand it alone
You were the one who taught me about the flower’s fragrance, and their beauty
calming down with the wind

遠い世界で 同じように
君も見ていますか
あの日と同じ 花を

tooi sekai de onaji you ni
kimi mo miteimasu ka
ano hi to onaji hana o

In a world far away, just like I am
are you also looking at them?
At these flowers, just like those old days

Baby, Baby

Requested by Primity, it’s as he said, you can see the growth that both Tsubaki and Mei have underwent since they started. I think I like Tsubaki’s lyrics more when they’re like this rather than her more abstract ones, it’s easier to get perspective.

Notes: During the line “Even though you’re just behind the glass, I can’t make you disappear,” I picture that as meaning she can’t pull the blind down the window to block him out. I’m also stuck on the fence about whether I should’ve put “deserty” in place of “desert-like.” Maybe “a sandy place” or “barren” would’ve worked well too.

★ Title: Baby, Baby
☆ Album: Love=ALL
★ Album Artist: Syrufit (Studio “Syrup Comfiture”)
☆ Lyrics: Tsubaki Ichimatsu (市松 椿)
★Vocals: Tsubaki Ichimatsu (市松 椿), Mei Ayakura (綾倉 盟)
☆ Arrangement: Syrufit (Studio “Syrup Comfiture”)
★ Original Title: The Inevitably Forbidden Game (禁じざるをえない遊戯)

崩れていく理想の会話
ロープレ通りできないなら
予習したって意味がなくて
むなしいだけ whatever you say

kuzurete iku risou no kaiwa
roopure doori dekinai nara
yoshuu shita tte imi ga nakute
munashii dake whatever you say

We have a talk of crumbling ideals
If you can’t follow the roleplay then
there’s no point in having a lesson prepared
Whatever you say just goes to vain

はぐらかして楽しんでる
私一人置いてけぼり
肝心なとき頼れなくて
寂しいだけ そうきっと

hagurakashite tanoshinderu
watashi hitori oitekebori
kanjin na toki tayorenakute
sabishii dake sou kitto

Always slipping away to have some fun
leaving only me behind
I can’t rely on this crucial time with you
It’s just lonely, surely that’s so

君は一人でも生きていけるからそんな逞しいんだ
弱く生まれた私には難しいことばかり

kimi wa hitori demo ikite ikeru kara sonna takumashii n da
yowaku umareta watashi ni wa muzukashii koto bakari

It’s no wonder you’re so strong, you’re good at living even all alone
For someone who was born weak like me, that’s a little difficult

Baby,baby! Are you here?
君の心が どこか知らない場所にあって
Baby,maybe you’re not here
ガラス越しでも 消せないまま
大好き goodbye

Baby,baby! Are you here?
kimi no kokoro ga dokoka shiranai basho ni atte
Baby,maybe you’re not here
garasu goshi demo kesenai mama
daisuki goodbye

Baby, baby! Are you here?
Your heart is somewhere unknown to me
Baby, maybe you’re not here
Even though you’re just behind the glass, I can’t make you disappear
I love you, good bye

Baby,baby! Do you hear?
本当の気持ち 隠さないでよ 大丈夫って
君の指先 触れたまつげが 証明する
大好き goodbye

Baby,baby! Do you hear?
honto no kimochi kakusanai de yo daijoubu tte
kimi no yubisaki fureta matsuge ga shoumei suru
daisuki goodbye

Baby, baby! Do you hear?
“Don’t hide your true feelings, it’s alright”
Your that fingertips were touched by my eyelashes leaves proof
that I love you, good bye

Baby, baby! Are you here?
Baby, maybe you’re not here
Baby, baby! Do you hear?
I’m not ready to tell you goodbye

分かり合ったつもりだった
本当は長い からっぽの距離
気づかなくて 手を伸ばした
踏み外して I almost fall down!

wakari atta tsumori datta
honto wa nagai karappo no kyori
kidzukanakute te o nobashita
fumi hazushite I almost fall down!

We had the intent to understand each other
The truth is we’re separated by a long empty distance
I didn’t notice, I reached out my hand
I lost my footing, I almost fell down!

馬鹿みたいで恥ずかしくて
でも君には言えなかった
もっと近くに行きたかった
寂しいだけ そう まだ

baka mitai de hazukashikute
demo kimi ni wa ienakatta
motto chikaku ni ikitakatta
sabishii dake sou mada

I’m so stupid and embarassed
but I couldn’t say that for you
I wanted to get closer to you
but I’m just still lonely, yes, still

君が何を背負っているのか何一つ知らないんだ
辛いことや苦しいこといろいろあったのかな

kimi ga nani o seotteiru no ka nani hitotsu shiranai n da
tsurai koto ya kurushii koto iroiro atta no kana

Just what burdens are you carrying? I don’t know about even one
I wonder if you’ve had various painful or tough times…

Baby,baby! Are you here?
君の欠片が 砂漠みたいな場所にあって
Baby,maybe you’re not here
私の手では 連れ出せない
ごめんね goodbye

Baby,baby! Are you here?
kimi no kakera ga sabaku mitai na basho ni atte
Baby,maybe you’re not here
watashi no te de wa tsure dasenai
gomenne goodbye

Baby, baby! Are you here?
Broken pieces of you are scattered in a desert-like place
Baby, maybe you’re not here
With these hands I can’t take them out
I’m sorry, good bye

Baby,baby! Do you hear?
私の気持ち 包み込んでよ 平気だよって
君の視線で 捕らえたんなら 証明して
大好き goodbye

Baby,baby! Do you hear?
watashi no kimochi tsutsumi konde yo heiki da yo tte
kimi no shisen de toraeta n nara shoumei shite
daisuki goodbye

Baby, baby! Do you hear?
“Wrap up all my feelings, I’m alright”
If I’ve been captured by your sight, prove it
I love you, good bye

Baby,baby! Are you here?
君の心が どこか知らない場所にあって
Baby,maybe you’re not here
ガラス越しでも 消せないまま
大好き goodbye

Baby,baby! Are you here?
kimi no kokoro ga dokoka shiranai basho ni atte
Baby,maybe you’re not here
garasu goshi demo kesenai mama
daisuki goodbye

Baby, baby! Are you here?
Your heart is somewhere unknown to me
Baby, maybe you’re not here
Even though you’re just behind the glass, I can’t make you disappear
I love you, good bye

Baby,baby! Do you hear?
本当の気持ち 隠さないでよ 大丈夫って
君の指先 触れたまつげが 証明する
大好き goodbye

Baby,baby! Do you hear?
honto no kimochi kakusanai de yo daijoubu tte
kimi no yubisaki fureta matsuge ga shoumei suru
daisuki goodbye

Baby, baby! Do you hear?
“Don’t hide your true feelings, it’s alright”
Your eyelashes that were touched by my fingertips leaves proof
that I love you, good bye

Baby, baby! Are you here?
Baby, maybe you’re not here
Baby, baby! Do you hear?
I’m not ready to tell you goodbye