Another blast from the past — a song translation from 1997 when I was doing rhyming lyrics for Pioneer CDs. This is from the Oh! My Goddess video series opening and closing themes. They were for the full-length versions that I can’t actually find on You Tube. But you can get an idea from the 90 seconds that were actually used in the show. If you’re interested in methods and tricks for this sort of thing, I did talk briefly about songs in a lecture I gave to the Department of Literary Translation at the University of East Anglia, a full transcript of which appears in the book Schoolgirl Milky Crisis.
By your side, but I still want more
Need your love, but I can’t be sure
Try to give my heart away
But you think it’s just a game we play
Seaside trip for a springtime break
Summer dress was a big mistake
Could you wrap me in your shirt
Just to show me that I’m yours?
My heart, it still won’t let me say
Please, give me your kiss today
Daydream, my fantasies they grow
And spread their wings, to the sky, far away
Whoever said a girl couldn’t be happy
Another’s love can set her free
Give your heart, only takes a word
And you will make me shine
For even if my tears start to flow again
If it’s for you I won’t complain
Heartache comes, but I feel no pain
If I can make you mine
Secrets are what I want from you
Breaking rules, is a game for two
I know you want me as well
But I wait for you to fall in my spell
Autumn comes, and my heart is bruised
Winter too, and I’ve got the blues
But if you will stay with me
It’ll all be fine in the end
Your heart, it has to answer true
Believe, my touch was meant for you
True love, you are my one and only
Cheeks blush red, burning hot, love anew
When a girl falls in love, she is beautiful
She doesn’t need to try at all
Lipstick red, or mascara blue
Would seem so out of place
When she’s in bed at night, and her thoughts still stream
She doesn’t need to sleep to dream
Love wells up, and it overflows
A smile glows on her face
When a girl falls in love, she is beautiful
Her heart will be invincible
Happiness, is a dream come true
Her love can conquer all
For even if my tears start to flow again
If it’s for you I won’t complain
Say you’ll stay, for eternity
And catch me if I fall
—
Lyrics: Taka Hasegawa
Music & Arrangement: Takeshi Yasuda
Vocals: Kikuko Inoue, Yumi Toma & Aya Hisakawa
English version: Jonathan Clements