ray – Bilingual Lyrics Japanese/English

• By: BUMP OF CHICKEN

Lyrics & Translation

Learning Japanese with BUMP OF CHICKEN's 'ray' offers a unique window into nuanced emotional expression in the language. The song's lyrics masterfully weave together feelings of sadness and hope, providing a rich context for understanding how contrasting ideas can be beautifully conveyed. The juxtaposition of the upbeat, synth-infused rock music with the introspective and touching lyrics about parting makes this song special. It’s a great way to explore how music and words combine to create a layered and ultimately uplifting message of resilience.

[English]

It feels like our farewell was much longer ago.

I sealed away the sad light, wearing down my heels.

When I was with you, I could see it; now it's become invisible.

I’m vaguely searching for a transparent comet, but that’s all I’m looking for.

I often sang songs, melodies just for those moments.

I wasn’t lonely at all; I could be lonely just fine.

I don’t have time to think about how long or how far, or what’s normal or abnormal.

Walking is tough, to the point where I don’t have time to think.

It’s much better to have fun; I’ll keep smiling and pretending.

It’s okay; that pain won’t disappear even if I forget it.

The path made of ideals is being repainted by reality.

Memories remain as shining traces on that trajectory.

I wonder why we said goodbye and what it was for.

The sad light stretches my shadow long in front of me.

Sometimes I get a fever; when I have time, I sleep.

In the midst of realizing it’s a dream, let’s meet again after that.

Far from clear skies, in the never-ending darkness,

If I think of stars, I’m immediately in the galaxy.

Even if I don’t cry much anymore, and even if I get new shoes,

It’s okay; that pain won’t disappear even if I forget it.

There must have been things I wanted to convey.

It’s probably quite ordinary, but it’s so much.

The fact that we parted is connected to the fact that we met.

That transparent comet won’t disappear because it’s transparent.

Whether it’s ○×△ or something else, I don’t have time to compare with everyone.

Living is the best to the point where I don’t have time to confirm.

Even if I don’t cry much anymore, I’ll keep smiling and pretending.

It’s okay; that pain won’t disappear even if I forget it.

It’s okay; at the beginning of this light, you are there.

[Japanese]

お別れしたのはもっと　前の事だったような

悲しい光は封じ込めて　踵すり減らしたんだ

君といた時は見えた　今は見えなくなった

透明な彗星をぼんやりと　でもそれだけ探している

しょっちゅう唄を歌ったよ　その時だけのメロディーを

寂しくなんかなかったよ　ちゃんと寂しくなれたから

いつまでどこまでなんて　正常か異常かなんて

考える暇も無い程　歩くのは大変だ

楽しい方がずっといいよ　ごまかして笑っていくよ

大丈夫だ　あの痛みは　忘れたって消えやしない

理想で作った道を　現実が塗り替えていくよ

思い出はその軌跡の上で　輝きになって残っている

お別れしたのは何で　何のためだったんだろうな

悲しい光が僕の影を　前に長く伸ばしている

時々熱が出るよ　時間がある時眠るよ

夢だと解るその中で　君と会ってからまた行こう

晴天とはほど遠い　終わらない暗闇にも

星を思い浮かべたなら　すぐ銀河の中だ

あまり泣かなくなっても　靴を新しくしても

大丈夫だ　あの痛みは　忘れたって消えやしない

伝えたかった事が　きっとあったんだろうな

恐らくありきたりなんだろうけど　こんなにも

お別れした事は　出会った事と繋がっている

あの透明な彗星は　透明だから無くならない

◯×△どれかなんて　皆と比べてどうかなんて

確かめる間も無い程　生きるのは最高だ

あまり泣かなくなっても　ごまかして笑っていくよ

大丈夫だ　あの痛みは　忘れたって消えやしない

大丈夫だ　この光の始まりには　君がいる

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
光 /ひかり/ A2	noun - light
痛み /いたみ/ B1	noun - pain
夢 /ゆめ/ A2	noun - dream
星 /ほし/ A2	noun - star
道 /みち/ A2	noun - road/path
時間 /じかん/ A1	noun - time
影 /かげ/ B1	noun - shadow
現実 /げんじつ/ B2	noun - reality
思い出 /おもいで/ B1	noun - memory
探す /さがす/ B1	verb - to search
輝く /かがやく/ B2	verb - to shine
楽しい /たのしい/ A2	adjective - fun/enjoyable
新しい /あたらしい/ A1	adjective - new
大丈夫 /だいじょうぶ/ A2	adjective - okay/safe
暗闇 /くらやみ/ B2	noun - darkness
出会う /であう/ B1	verb - to meet

Key Grammar Structures

• ～は～だったような

  ➔ It is similar to 'seems like' or 'I think that...'

  ➔ The phrase '～は～だったような' expresses a similarity to a past perception or assumption.

• ～を封じ込めて

  ➔ To seal or suppress something

  ➔ The verb '封じ込めて' (fūjikomete) comes from '封じ込める' meaning 'to seal' or 'to contain'.

• ～と比べてどうかなんて

  ➔ Expressing uncertainty or questioning about comparison

  ➔ This phrase indicates uncertainty or questioning if someone or something is better or worse compared to others.

• ～していくよ

  ➔ Indicating movement or continuation into the future

  ➔ The form 'していく' is used to express that an action will continue or move forward over time.

• ～たって

  ➔ Even if, despite

  ➔ The phrase '～たって' is a colloquial contraction of '～たって', conveying 'even if' or 'despite'.

• ～やしない

  ➔ Emphasizing that something definitely does not happen or is not the case

  ➔ The expression '～やしない' is a colloquial way to strongly deny or emphasize that something does not happen.

• ～のニュアンス

  ➔ The nuance or subtleties of a phrase

  ➔ The term '～のニュアンス' refers to the subtle or implied meaning or feeling conveyed by the phrase.