Sunday, July 24, 2011

BEGIN ”The Islanders’ Treasure”

The sky of this island where I was born,
I wonder how well I know it.
The glittering stars, the flowing clouds,
If I'm asked their names, I don't know.

But more than anyone, more than anyone
I know that in times of sorrow and joy,
This is the sky I would look up to
Over and over again.

I don't know things that are only written in textbooks.
The important things are definitely here,
It is the islanders' treasure.

The sea of this island where I was born,
I wonder how well I know it.
If the coral is polluted or if there are less fish,
I don't know what's the best thing to do.

But more than anyone, more than anyone,
Covered in sand and cradled in waves,
Little by little I have been changed by the sea.

It isn't shown on TV or played on the radio.
The important things are definitely here,
It is the islanders' treasure.

The song of this island where I was born,
I wonder how well I know it.
I don't know the meaning of the words
'Tubarama' or 'Densasetsu'.

But more than anyone, more than anyone,
On nights of celebration and festival mornings
I can hear this song coming from somewhere.

Someday I will leave this island, but until that day,
I want to understand it more profoundly.
It is the islanders' treasure.

島人ぬ宝 Shimanchu nu Takara 沖縄 歌詞 英語 翻訳

Note: Tubarama or Densasetsu are both folk songs in Okinawa, where the band BEGIN is from.

No comments: