Accompanied by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Spanish tenor José Carreras sings “Kawa no Nagare no Yō ni”, meaning “Like the Flow of the River”, by the Japanese composer Akira Mitake (born 1956). Lyrics by Yasushi Akimoto (born 1958), the Japanese record producer, lyricist and television writer. Recorded at the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.

The song was voted the “greatest Japanese song of all time” during a national poll in 1997 by NHK, with more than 10 million votes.

Lyrics

Kawa no Nagare no Yō ni

Romaji
shirazu shirazu aruite kita
hosoku nagai kono michi
furikaereba haruka tooku
furusato ga mieru

dekoboko michi ya magari kunetta michi
chizu sae nai sore mo mata jinsei

aa kawa no nagare no you ni
yuruyaka ni ikutsu mo jidai wa sugite
aa kawa no nagare no you ni
tomedonaku sora ga tasogare ni somaru dake

ikiru koto wa tabi suru koto
owari no nai kono michi
ai suru hito soba ni tsurete
yume sagashinagara

ame ni furarete nugaru n’ da michi demo
itsuka wa mata hareru hi ga kuru kara

aa kawa no nagare no you ni
odayaka ni kono mi wo makasete itai
aa kawa no nagare no you ni
utsuri yuku kisetsu yukidoke wo machinagara

aa kawa no nagare no you ni
odayaka ni kono mi wo makasete itai
aa kawa no nagare no you ni
itsumademo
aoi seseragi wo kikinagara

Like the Flow of the River

I came walking on this long, narrow path
without knowing it
When I turn around,
my distant hometown is visible

The uneven path twists & turns
and doesn’t even have a map
So is the road of life

Ah, like the flow of the river
the era passes by leniently
Ah, like the flow of the river
the sky is just endlessly dyed at twilight

Living and taking a journey,
an endless path
Take The person I love to my side
while searching for a dream

Even if I’m rained on & the path is muddy,
someday the sunny day will come again

Ah, like the flow of the river
I want to calmly go with the flow
Ah, like the flow of the river
The changing seasons

Ah, like the flow of the river
I want to calmly go with the flow
Ah, like the flow of the river
Forever
while listening to the blue blabbling stream

M. Özgür Nevres

Published by M. Özgür Nevres

I am Özgür Nevres, a software engineer, a former road racing cyclist, and also an amateur musician. I opened andantemoderato.com to share my favorite music. I also take care of stray cats & dogs. This website's all income goes directly to our furry friends. Please consider supporting me on Patreon, so I can help more animals!

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