I just can't get the newest single by Japan's undisputedly best-ever band (in my humble opinion), Bump of Chicken, out of my head. It was definately the theme song of the soundtrack to my recent trip to Japan. When I wasn't straining to hear it over the random noise pollution of imo and sakana songs at the supermarket, lingering around the conbini onigiri section to catch the last few notes, or just hearing it drift around Osaka, I was singing it to myself. If you haven't heard it yet, give it a listen. If you have heard it and wished you knew what the heck they were saying, wish no more! The best thing about this new Bump song is it's relative easy vocabulary, grammar and pace, making it the perfect study tool!
In my hopes of spreading the joy of Bump this holiday season, I've translated Hana no Na for anyone who cares. I hope someone out there appreciates and enjoys it as much as I do!
The Flower's Name by Bump of Chicken
Translation by Melissa Chasse ©
If it is such a simple thing, I wonder why can't I say it?
If it's something I can't say, I wonder how I will express it?
Even if I forget the sky we saw together,
I won't forget that we were together
If you are a flower,
You're probably not very different from all the other ones
From them, I chose one
There is a song only I can sing
There is a song only you can hear
My being here is proof that you were here
The song that I leave here is proof that I was left with you
Since I borrowed the power to live,
While I'm alive I have to give it back
When you forget the tears and the smiles,
Please just remember
Lost in the same pain
There is a song that only you can sing
There is a song that only I can hear
Everyone has a person they want to see
Everyone has a person they are waiting for
If there are people that (people) want to see
Then there are people waiting for them
Always
If you are a flower,
You're probably not very different from all the other ones
From them, I chose one
For me, For you
Someday
When you forget the tears and the smiles,
Please just remember
Without losing my way
I chose
There is a song that only you can sing
There is a song that only I can hear
There is someone waiting only for me
There is someone who wants to see only you
