ねっこ – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: キングヌー
• Album: THE GREATEST UNKNOWN

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a captivating linguistic and emotional journey with King Gnu's "Nekko." This poignant middle-ballad offers a unique opportunity to delve into Japanese through its rich symbolism of strength, resilience, and quiet empathy. Discover how the nuanced lyrics express profound human connection and the power of unseen support, making it an ideal song to deepen your understanding of Japanese cultural expressions and emotional depth.

[English]

A simple flower is enough

It doesn't have to be grand

Just for you

As long as it has meaning

That no one notices

A common, everyday bloom is fine

When you hang your head

And those roots take hold beyond that

That kind of flower is enough

Just quietly extending your roots

Waiting for you to find it

Because the pace of time is too fast

Today, I feel so weary

Knowing my true measure

Even if I don't wish for it

The clock keeps moving forward

The more I seek, the further away I get

Those precious things

Are carried off by the wind of time

Taking root among memories' ruins

Here I wait forever

Thinking of you today too

A simple flower is enough

It doesn't have to be glamorous

On top of your pain

It would be great if it could take root

In a sudden rain

So I won't be washed away

A fleeting sadness

Quietly letting it fade away

That kind of flower is enough

A flower like that is perfect

As long as you cry, I'll cry too

Its beautiful, strong roots

May be unseen by anyone

Blooming proud above impermanence

Just if you cry, I'll cry too

With two hearts, one sorrow

A flower that keeps blooming for decades

Above impermanence, bloom proudly

A simple flower is enough

It doesn't have to be grand

Just with you

Facing many storms

It will never break

That kind of flower is enough

A simple flower is enough

It doesn't need to be flashy

Just for you

As long as it has worth

That no one notices

A humble, familiar flower will do

When you hang your head

And those roots take hold beyond that

A simple flower is enough

It doesn't need to be bright

Growing on your happiness

It would be great if it bore fruit

In a sudden rain

So I won't be washed away

A fleeting sadness

Quietly letting it fade away

That kind of flower is enough

[Japanese]

ささやかな花でいい

大袈裟でなくていい

ただあなたにとって

価値があればいい

誰も気づかない

有り触れた一輪でいい

あなたが項垂れた

その先に根を張る

そんな花でいい

ただ黙々とねっこ伸ばして

あなたに見つかるのを待つの

時の歩幅が大き過ぎるから

今日も倦んざりする程に

此の身の丈を知るの

望まぬとも

時計の針は進み続ける

求める程遠ざかる

大事な者こそ

時の風が攫ってゆく

思い出の瓦礫に根を張ってる

此処で何時迄も待っている

今日もあなたを想っている

飾らない花でいい

華やかでなくていい

あなたの痛みの上に

根を張れればいい

一頻りの雨に

流されぬような

ふとした悲しみを

そっと忘れさせるような

そんな花でいい

そんな花がいい

ただ君が泣くなら僕も泣くから

その美しく強く伸びた根は

誰にも見えやしないけれど

無常の上に咲き誇れ

ただ君が泣くなら僕も泣くから

心ふたつ悲しみひとつで

何十年先も咲き続ける花

無常の上に、さあ咲き誇れ

ささやかな花でいい

大袈裟でなくていい

ただあなたと

幾度もの嵐を迎えようと

決して折れはしない

そんな花がいい

ささやかな花でいい

大袈裟でなくていい

ただあなたにとって

価値があればいい

誰も気づかない

有り触れた一輪でいい

あなたが項垂れた

その先に根を張る

飾らない花でいい

華やかでなくていい

あなたの喜びの上に

実が生ればいい

一頻りの雨に

流されぬような

ふとした悲しみを

そっと忘れさせるような

そんな花がいい

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
花 (hana) /ha.na/ A1	noun - flower
根 (ne) /ne/ A2	noun - root
伸ばす (nobasu) /no.ba.su/ A2	verb - to extend, stretch
嵐 (arashi) /a.ra.ʃi/ B1	noun - storm
痛み (itami) /i.ta.mi/ B1	noun - pain
喜び (yorokobi) /jo.ɾo.ko.bi/ B1	noun - joy, delight
悲しみ (kanashimi) /ka.na.ʃi.mi/ B1	noun - sadness, sorrow
実 (mi) /mi/ B1	noun - fruit, nut, seed
想う (omou) /o.mo.ɯ/ B1	verb - to think, feel, imagine
価値 (kachi) /ka.t͡ɕi/ B2	noun - value, worth
瓦礫 (gareki) /ɡa.ɾe.ki/ B2	noun - rubble, debris
流す (nagasu) /na.ɡa.su/ B2	verb - to let flow, shed (tears), wash away
無常 (mujou) /mɯ.d͡ʑoː/ C1	noun - mutability, transience, impermanence
項垂れる (utadareru) /ɯtadaɾeɾɯ/ C1	verb - to hang one's head, droop