奏（かなで） – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: スキマスイッチ
• Album: 夏雲ノイズ

Lyrics & Translation

'奏 (Kanade)' is a perfect song to learn Japanese with because its clear and emotional lyrics beautifully capture a universal experience: saying goodbye. The song's narrative of a farewell at a train station offers a glimpse into Japanese culture, where partings are often imbued with deep sentiment. By studying the lyrics, you can learn expressions of love, longing, and the unique Japanese perspective on separation and connection, all while enjoying one of modern J-pop's most iconic ballads.

[English]

Ticket gates, our hands embraced, palms touching

The usual noise, the new wind

I was supposed to send you off happily, but

I couldn't smile properly and just watched you

The season when you become an adult

So that it doesn't overflow with sad songs

In the end, I wanted to tell you something

I was searching for words to say instead of 'goodbye'

The role of holding your hand—that's my mission

That's what I thought

But now I understand

If it's us,

The days we've shared will surely guide us

The time when you become an adult

While those moments pile up, I too will change

For example, if there was a song like this

Then we could always stay connected, no matter when

Suddenly, the ringing of a bell explodes in the silence

My panic, my hands slipping away, you drifting apart

I called out desperately and held you tight

Wherever you go, I'll protect you with my voice

From the day you appeared in front of me

Everything started to look different

The morning light, tears, and even the singing voice

You've given me a shining glow

Carrying these uncontrollable feelings in my voice

Let me reach your city far away

For example, if it was a song like this

Then no matter where we are, we can stay connected

[Japanese]

Ticket gate our hands embraced, palm to palm they touch

いつものざわめき、新しい風

明るく見送るはずだったのに

うまく笑えずに君を見ていた

君が大人になってくその季節が

悲しい歌で溢れないように

最後に何か君に伝えたくて

「さよなら」に代わる言葉を僕は探してた

君の手を引くその役目が僕の使命だなんて

そう思ってた

だけど今わかったんだ

僕らならもう

重ねた日々がほら、導いてくれる

君が大人になってくその時間が

降り積もる間に僕も変わってく

たとえばそこにこんな歌があれば

ふたりはいつもどんな時もつながっていける

突然ふいに鳴り響くベルの音

焦る僕　解ける手　離れてく君

夢中で呼び止めて　抱き締めたんだ

君がどこに行ったって僕の声で守るよ

君が僕の前に現れた日から

何もかもが違くみえたんだ

朝も光も涙も、歌う声も

君が輝きをくれたんだ

抑えきれない思いをこの声に乗せて

遠く君の街へ届けよう

たとえばそれがこんな歌だったら

ぼくらは何処にいたとしてもつながっていける

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
手 /te/ A1	noun - hand
歌 /uta/ A1	noun - song
季節 /kisetsu/ B1	noun - season
思い /omoi/ B1	noun - thought, feeling
時間 /jikan/ A2	noun - time
声 /koe/ A2	noun - voice, sound
光 /hikari/ A2	noun - light
夢中 /muchuu/ B2	noun - in a trance, absorbed
悲しい /kanashii/ B1	adjective - sad
変わる /kawaru/ B1	verb - to change
伝える /tsutaeru/ B2	verb - to convey, to tell
探す /sagasu/ A2	verb - to search, to look for
つながる /tsunagaru/ B2	verb - to connect
使命 /shimei/ C1	noun - mission, duty
導く /michibiku/ C1	verb - to guide, to lead
現れる /arawareru/ B2	verb - to appear