BEGIN – Shimanchu nu takara [Japanese lyrics with English translation]
artist: BEGIN
title: Shimanchu nu takara | The Treasure of the Islanders
discs: Shimanchu nu Takara (single)
BEGIN no Shimauta ~OMOTE TAKEO 2~ (mini album)
BEGIN Single Daizenshuu (compilation album)
lyrics, music, arrangement: BEGIN
Romanization
boku ga umareta kono shima no sora wo
boku wa dore kurai shitteirundarou
kagayaku hoshi mo nagareru kumo mo
namae wo kikaretemo wakaranai
demo dare yori dare yori mo shitteiru
kanashii toki wo ureshii toki mo
nandomo miageteita kono sora wo
kyoukasho ni kaitearu koto dake ja wakaranai
taisetsu na mono ga kitto koko ni aru hazu sa
sore ga shimanchu nu takara
boku ga umareta kono shima no umi wo
boku wa dore kurai shitterundarou
yogoreteku SANGO mo hetteyuku sakana mo [1]
doushitara ii no ka wakaranai
demo dare yori dare yori mo shitteiru
suna ni mamirete nami ni yurarete
sukoshi-zutsu kawatteyuku kono umi wo
TEREBI de wa utsusenai RAJIO demo nagasenai
taisetsu na mono ga kitto koko ni aru hazu sa
sore ga shimanchu nu takara
boku ga umareta kono shima no uta wo
boku wa dore kurai shitterundarou
TUBARAAMA mo DENSAA bushi mo [2]
kotoba no imi sae wakaranai
demo dare yori dare yori mo shitteiru
iwai no yoru mo matsuri no asa mo
doko kara ka kikoetekuru kono uta wo
itsu no hi ka kono shima wo hanareteku sono hi made
taisetsu na mono wo motto fukaku shitteitai
sore ga shimanchu nu takara
English translation
How well do I know
These island skies that I was born under
The shining stars, the passing clouds
Even if you ask me, I don’t know their names
But more than anyone, I know them
In joy and in sorrow
I’ve gazed up at this sky countless times
You can’t understand it just by what’s written in a textbook
Surely, there is something precious here
That is the treasure of the island people
How well do I know
The seas of the island where I was born
The wounded reefs and dwindling fish [1]
I don’t know what to do about them either
But more than anyone, I know
Caressed by the sand, tossed by the waves
This ocean that keeps changing little by little
You won’t see it broadcast on TV or playing on the radio
But surely, there is something precious here
It’s the treasure of the island people
How well do I know
The songs of this island where I was born
The Tubaraama, and the Densaa Bushi, [2]
I don’t even know what the words mean
But, more than anyone, I know
On celebration nights and festival mornings
The songs that drift over me from somewhere far
Until that someday when I part from this island
I want to understand the precious things here more deeply
That’s the treasure of the island people
Japanese
僕が生まれたこの島の空を
僕はどれくらい知っているんだろう
輝く星も 流れる雲も
名前を聞かれてもわからない
でも誰より 誰よりも知っている
悲しい時も 嬉しい時も
何度も見上げていたこの空を
教科書に書いてある事だけじゃわからない
大切な物がきっとここにあるはずさ
それが島人ぬ宝
僕がうまれたこの島の海を
僕はどれくらい知ってるんだろう
汚れてくサンゴも 減って行く魚も
どうしたらいいのかわからない
でも誰より 誰よりも知っている
砂にまみれて 波にゆられて
少しずつ変わってゆくこの海を
テレビでは映せないラジオでも流せない
大切な物がきっとここにあるはずさ
それが島人ぬ宝
僕が生まれたこの島の唄を
僕はどれくらい知ってるんだろう
トゥバラーマも デンサー節も
言葉の意味さえわからない
でも誰より 誰よりも知っている
祝いの夜も 祭りの朝も
何処からか聞えてくるこの唄を
いつの日かこの島を離れてくその日まで
大切な物をもっと深く知っていたい
それが島人ぬ宝
========
[1] Yogoreteku SANGO: lit: “the increasingly polluted reefs”
[2] Tubaraama, Densaa Bushi: Specific songs and legends of Ryuukyuu
2 Comments to BEGIN – Shimanchu nu takara [Japanese lyrics with English translation]
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I am working for the worldpeacemuseum and i find this
beautiful song of Peace from Okinawa. I want to understand the meaning of it and also use to tach it to children on Peace
Hi John! I’m glad to hear that you liked this song. The feeling of it and the meaning are both very important to me. Please feel free to use the translated lyrics in your project. I would greatly it appreciate if you credit the translation to ico at melodycafe.iconoclastiac.net. Best wishes on your project with the World Peace Museum. It is a worthy cause!