Song of the gondola (gondola no uta)

This is a Japanese song from the 1910s. It was played in Akira Kurosawa's movie 'Ikiru' and I've also heard it was played in the anime 'fushigi yuugi.'It's sad and beautiful when sung passionately.

The English version is sometimes called: Life is brief

You can check out one version here (text differs slightly in certain sentences, lyrics change depending on the artist): 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMSQ1amd7sU&feature=related

(English translation will be at the bottom)


4 4 4 -4 5 6 5 7 6
inochi mijikashi
6 -6 6 5 4 5 -4
koi seyo otome
4 4 4 -4 5 6 5 7 6
akaki kuchibiru
4 -4 -6 6 -4 5 4
asenu ma ni
6 6 6 8 -8 -8 7 -6 6
atsuki chishio no
6 6 6 5 7 6
hienu ma ni
4 -4 5 6 7 -6 -8 7 -6 6
asu no tsukihi no
4 -4 -6 6 -4 5 4
nai mono wo

(rest of the song, repeat the above)
   
    inochi mijikashi
    koi seyo otome
    iza te wo torite
    ka no fune ni
    iza moyuru ho wo
    kimiga ho ni
    koko ni wa dare mo
    konu mono wo

    inochi mijikashi
    koi seyo otome
    nami ni tadayou
    fune no yo ni
    kimiga yawate wo
    waga kata ni
    koko niwa hitome mo
    nai mono wo

    inochi mijikashi
    koi seyo otome
    kurokami no iro
    asenu ma ni
    kokoro no honoo
    kienu ma ni
    kyou wa futatabi
    konu mono wo

(In English)

    life is brief.
    fall in love, maidens
    before the crimson bloom
    fades from your lips
    before the tides of passion
    cool within you,
    for those of you
    who know no tomorrow

    life is brief
    fall in love, maidens
    before his hands
    take up his boat
    before the flush of his cheeks fades
    for those of you
    who will never return here

    life is brief
    fall in love, maidens
    before the boat drifts away
    on the waves
    before the hand resting on your shoulder
    becomes frail
    for those who will never
    be seen here again

    life is brief
    fall in love, maidens
    before the raven tresses begin to fade
    before the flame in your hearts
    flicker and die
    for those to whom today
    will never return