Tuesday, November 20, 2007

"Hana No Na" English Translation: 花の名 : Bump of Chicken



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

10 comments:

Abbey said...

あなたは何だろう-?

Dang, now I have to listen to it this morning, or I'm going to have it in my head!

Glad you got home safe and sound. Now come back!

Anonymous said...

hello! thank you for translating the lyrics of Hana no na... well... uhm... I wonder if I could re-post the translation in my livejournal? I promise, I would credit you for the translation. But if you won't allow it, it's ok. again, thank you!

Melissa said...

Nica: Thank you for asking!

If you chose to repost my translation, please credit it to Melissa Chasse with a link to my blog/post.

I will be posting Tokyo Sanka soon, if you're interested!

Do you have a Japan-related blog? I'd love to see it! Please share a link (^-^)

Anonymous said...

Melissa, thank you so much! I'd credit to properly. thanks again!

I'd love to see the translation for Tokyo Sanka too.

I have a livejournal but it's not totally Japan-related. I just post lots of stuff but when it comes to music and entertainment, it's usually Japan related. here's the link... http://nicadj.livejournal.com

thanks again!

Anonymous said...

Hi Melissa! Thanks a lot for dropping by :)
I was looking for this translation, and I've gotta say you've done a really great job! I've tried my hand at translating BoC too, sort of half way through May Day, but it just turns out so awkward I don't know if I could finish it haha.

But I didn't get that feeling from yours at all! You've definitely captured the essence of this song. Hope you'll keep it up! :D

Anonymous said...

I'm currently living in Tokyo right now and have been taking Japanese for 4 years. I LOVE this song too and just got the CD as soon as I could Book Off some stuff for credit.

I would like to say that your translation is very accurate and about as close as we're going to get on the English side of a language with so many more words than we have! Thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

thanks for translation... we have some translation in Thai too. This song is beautiful.

bornmelody said...

Thanks for the translation, I just discovered the song TODAY! and congrat on having your imag on such a famous magazine!

I never knew J-pop can be this good. I am impressed.

panglipur manah said...

anata ga hana....nara.....
takusan no sorerato..kawarinai no kamoshirenai...

Levina said...

I like this song at the 1st time I heard it.