I've been meaning to put up this Angela Aki video for a while, and after watching the video of brave Joel Burns at PZ Meyer's Pharyngula, now is the time. If you've never heard of her, she's a Japanese-American singer/songwriter who's become popular recently in Japan. I loved this song the first time I heard it, even though I couldn't catch all the words. Hat tip to Sagwaneem, whose channel I've borrowed this from, for the beautiful English translation below.
This song is for Joel Burns. This song is for Dan Savage, who started the It Gets Better movement. This song is for every teenager who's ever been, or is being, bullied for the crime of simply being who they are.
The title of the song is "The Letter", written by Angela Aki, addressed to her 15-year-old self.
English Translation:
Dear you,
Who's reading this letter
Where are you and what are you doing now?
For me who's 15 years old
There are seeds of worries I can't tell anyone
If it's a letter addressed to my future self,
Surely I can confide truly to myself
Now, it seems that I'm about to be defeated and cry
For someone who's seemingly about to disappear
Whose words should I believe in?
This one-and-only heart has been broken so many times
In the midst of this pain, I live the present
Dear you,
Thank you
I have something to tell the 15-year-old you
If you continue asking what and where you should be going
You'll be able to see the answer
The rough seas of youth may be tough
But row your boat of dreams on
Towards the shores of tomorrow
Now, please don't be defeated and please don't shed a tear
During these times when you're seemingly about to disappear
Just believe in your own voice
For me as an adult, there are sleepless nights when I'm hurt
But I'm living the bittersweet present
There's meaning to everything in life
So build your dreams without fear
Keep on believing
Seems like I'm about to be defeated and cry
For someone who's seemingly about to disappear
Whose words should I believe in?
Please don't be defeated and please don't shed a tear
During these times when you're seemingly about to disappear
Just believe in your own voice
No matter era we're in
There's no running away from sorrow
So show your smile, and go on living the present
Go on living the present
Dear you,
Who's reading this letter
I wish you happiness
boo, i can't watch the video on this computer. I'll have to check it out later
ReplyDeleteBum! Try later--I think you'll like it:)) It's really a beautiful song by a songwriter I think should be more widely known!
ReplyDelete