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Tinsagu-nu hana
"The Balsam Flowers"; a warabe uta*; Okinawan children will squeeze the sap from balsam flowers to stain their fingernails.
Each verse has exactly the same number of notes using language and meter devices that are solely Ryukyuan. The English
The centuries-old lyrics are often incomprehensible to modern Japanese (especially to children who are singing it), while
[* Warabe uta are traditional Japanese songs, similar to nursery rhymes. They are often sung as part of traditional children's
The lyrics of the song are Confucian teachings. Of the six verses, the first three relate to filial piety, while the latter three refer
to respecting one's body and one's goals.
translation tells of the content of the verses but fails to convey the precision and the beauty of the song.
others can actually be quite sinister on close analysis. Like a lot of children's songs around the world, because people are
used to them from an early age, they are often oblivious to the real meanings.
games. They are described as a form of min'yo - traditional Japanese song, usually sung without accompanying instruments.]
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Contemporary acoustic
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Tinsagu nu hana ya chimi sachi ni sumiti Uyanu yushi gutu ya chimu ni sumiri Tin nuburi bushi ya yumiba yuma rishiga Uyanu yushi gutu ya yumin naran Yuruha rasu funi ya ninu fua bushi miati Wan na cheru uyaya wandu miati Takaradama yatin migaka niba sabisu Asayu chimu migachi uchiyu watara Makutu suru hitu ya atuya ichi madin Umuku tun kanati chiyunu sakai Nashiba nani gutun nairu gutu yashiga Nasan yui karadu naran sadami Nasan yui karadu naran sadami English translation:
Just as my fingernails are stained with the pigment from balsam flowers,
There's no point in possessing magnificent jewelry if you don't maintain it; |
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S. A. Mick McClary, Great Falls, Montana, USA