Текст песни и перевод на английский Kiyoshi Hikawa - 近江の鯉太郎

近江の鯉太郎

渡り鳥さえ 八幡堀に
翼休める 塒があるに

一度結んだ 草鞋の紐は
切るもほどくも できない渡世
よしなよしなよ 鯉太郎
野暮は承知の はぐれ笠

瀬田の夕映え 手漕ぎの舟が
思い出させる 白無垢鉄火

抜かずじまいじゃ すまない長脇差を
抱き寝添い寝の 旅空夜空
よしなよしなよ 鯉太郎
瞼閉じれば ついほろり

右へ行こうか 左へ飛ぶか
投げて占う 一天地六

せめてひと足 堅田の宿にゃ
逢って行きたい お人もいるに
よしなよしなよ 鯉太郎
比叡颪が 身にしみる

Omi no Koitaro

Even migratory birds find a place to rest their wings in the Hachimanbori Canal,
They have a roost to call their own.

Once tied, the laces of my straw sandals,
Cannot be cut nor untied, such is my wandering life.
Forgive me, Koitaro,
I'm a wanderer with a lonely hat, I know I'm being unreasonable.

The rowboat in the Seta sunset,
Reminds me of you, my fiery bride in white.

This long sword I can't leave undrawn,
I hold close as I sleep under the traveling night sky.
Forgive me, Koitaro,
When I close my eyes, I can't help but shed a tear.

Should I go right, or should I fly left?
I throw the dice to divine my fate, a roll of the heavens.

At least, I want to make one last stop at Katata's inn,
There's someone I long to see.
Forgive me, Koitaro,
The Hieizan wind chills me to the bone.