Solitude

Note:
This is a by-ear transcription — I’m sure there are errors.
I left “kagome” untranslated, but among it’s myriad meanings, most relevant to this song, it refers to a “cage”.
This reminds me of a story of a person who broke into a hospital to retreive a terminal patient they loved so they could go on one last motorcycle joy-ride together with them before they died.
I’d say the final word is more pleading than hopeful, but it’s really all the same… just a matter of nuance.
—
Solitude
シンデレラケージ ~ Kagome-Kagome|東方永夜抄
Vocals: ayame
Arrangement: Masayoshi Minoshima
Lyrics: ayame
Circle: Alstroemeria Records
Album: Aspherical Surface e.p. 2
Event: Apollo 11
かごめかごめ… かごめかごめ…
かごめかごめ… かごめかごめ…
kagome kagome… kagome kagome…
kagome kagome… kagome kagome…
瞳の奥あるはずの輝きが見えずに
悲しく笑う人だと見上げる度思った
hitomi no oku aru hazu no kagayaki ga miezu ni
kanashiku warau hito da to miageru tabi omotta
Unable to see that spark which should lie deep within everyone’s eyes
I always thought you were one to smile sadly, whenever I looked up at you
君がいつもいつも見てたその手 引いてあげられたら…
そんなことを考えてた 突然吹いた風の中で
力強い言葉一つ伝えられない そんな勇気
今の私 無力だから 君のことを守れなくて
kimi ga itsumo itsumo miteta sono te hiiteageraretara
sonna koto wo kan’gaeteta totsuzen fuita kaze no naka de
chikaradzuyoi kotoba hitotsu tsutaerarenai son’na yuuki
ima no watashi muryoku dakara kimi no koto wo mamorenakute
If only I had the strength to take hold of your hands, I thought
As the wind picked up and I watched you gaze at them as you always do…
I could not offer you a single word of reassurance then – I had not the courage
Distraught by my own powerlessness, I was unable to protect you…
かごめかごめ… かごめかごめ…
かごめかごめ… かごめかごめ…
kagome kagome… kagome kagome…
kagome kagome… kagome kagome…
瞳の奥あるはずの輝きが見えずに
悲しく笑う人だと見上げる度思った
hitomi no oku aru hazu no kagayaki ga miezu ni
kanashiku warau hito da to miageru tabi omotta
Unable to see that spark which should lie deep within everyone’s eyes
I always thought you were one to smile sadly, whenever I looked up at you
君がいつもいつも見てた その手 引いてあげられたら…
そんなことを 考えてた 突然吹いた 風の中で
力強い言葉一つ伝えられない そんな勇気
今の私 無力だから 君のことを守れなくて
kimi ga itsumo itsumo miteta sono te hiiteageraretara
sonna koto wo kan’gaeteta totsuzen fuita kaze no naka de
chikaradzuyoi kotoba hitotsu tsutaerarenai son’na yuuki
ima no watashi muryoku dakara kimi no koto wo mamorenakute
If only I had the strength to take hold of your hands, I thought
As the wind picked up and I watched you gaze at them as you always do…
I could not offer you a single word of reassurance then – I had not the courage
Distraught by my own powerlessness, I was unable to protect you…
籠の中だけが 君の居場所なの?
そんなことはないでしょ 笑ってた 嘘つき
kago no naka dake ga kimi no ibasho nano?
son’na koto wa nai desho waratteta usotsuki
“Do you really think the only place you belong is in this cage?”
“You know that can’t be true!” You laughed it off — always the liar…
本当のことだけを 私に教えて
辛いことも 悲しみも 全部じゃなくても
hon’tou no koto dake wo watashi ni oshiete
tsurai koto mo kanashimi mo zen’bu ja nakutemo
”
Tell me the truth, and no more lies!
Tell me what hurts — tell me your sadness — even if you can’t tell me everything!
“
優しい 君もね 時間の幸せも
願えない でも そこが言いたかったけどね
yasashii kimi mo ne jikan’ no shiawase mo
negaenai demo soko ga iitakatta kedo ne
”
You’re too kind — you and so many others…
I cannot hope for a lasting happiness, but thank you anyway.
“
その手を伸ばして 私が引くから
連れ出すよ 広い世界 側で 渡ってよ
sono te wo nobashite watashi ga hiku kara
tsuredasu yo hiroi sekai soba de watatte yo
”
Hold out your hand, and let me take it!
I’m dragging you out of here, to see the wide world! Come see it by my side!
“
かごめかごめ… かごめかごめ…
かごめかごめ… かごめかごめ…
kagome kagome… kagome kagome…
kagome kagome… kagome kagome…
—