さくら横丁 Sakura Yokocho

さくら横丁 Sakura Yokocho

This is my second recording of “Sakura Yokocho” by Japanese composer Yoshinao Nakada.

Sung and translated into English by Tomoko Nago with piano accompaniment by Toshiko Jones

spring night
when cherry trees blossom
flowers everywhere
cherry street

I remember the love of yesterday
you are no longer here

always queen of the flowers,
smiling in the home of dreams

(refrain)

the time will never come
to see you again
“how have you been,
it has been so long”

I know there is no use to talk this way,
I may as well look at the flowers

(refrain)

春の宵 さくらが咲くと
花ばかり さくら横ちょう
想出す 恋の昨日
君はもうこゝにゐないと
あゝ いつも 花の女王
ほゝえんだ夢のふるさと
春の宵 さくらが咲くと
花ばかり さくら横ちょう
会い見るの時はなかろう
「その後どう」「しばらくねえ」と
言ったってはぢまらないと
心得て花でも見よう
春の宵 さくらが咲くと
花ばかり さくら横ちょう

出船 Defune by Haseo Sugiyama

出船 Defune by Haseo Sugiyama

出船 Defune by Haseo Sugiyama

Japanese pre-war popular song c1922. Interestingly the original recording of this song was produced in the United States.

English Translation by Tomoko Nago

Is the ship leaving tonight?
It is sad to see you go.
Snow is falling between the dark waves.
Though I do not see the ship yet, birds are singing a song of farewell
Is the horn sounding the departure
Please write to me when you arrive safely.
I will read the letter through my tears, in the sad dim flickering light.