Lonely Voyage 하윤주 고독한 항해

Happened to hear this song Lonely Voyage, performed by Ha Yun-ju, a traditional South Korean guk ak (literally country music) singer, who lends her Han style to a contemporary love lost genre, with striking results. Han is a unique Korean style reflecting deep sorrow, regret, or resentment. The song is several years old from the drama Married World OST. Original artist is Kim Yoon-a. Ha, the singer at the link below, sang this at a competition. Ha's performance is clearly superior to the original.



Lonely Voyage lyrics and melody- Gaemi

The cold wind goes right through me
My broken heart hurts all the more
Now the withered flower petals fall
I've fallen into a bottomless mire
Smothered by total darkness

My tears fall on dead leaves
By any chance will you look back on me?
A vain wish perhaps, the wind grows stronger
I stand alone on a hill where the storm gathers
My heart torn apart, so much so I can't bear it
I'm swallowed up by absolute darkness

Ah, I remain alone on this solitary voyage
Let me go into this complete darkness.

This is my own interpretation of the lyrics. I tried to change the awkward google translation from its verbatim translation to US vernacular. I hope people don't find it depressing, the song and her performance is really a work of art reflecting the Han style. imo

하윤주 가사 고독한 항해

천상의꽃 Heavenly Flower

Lyrice 천진화 melody 강주현

인연 따라 왔다
By karma we arrive
인연 따라 가는 인생
By karma we leave life
나무아미타불 나무아미타불
Save us, merciful Buddha
목탁소리 도량을 휘 돌아나갈제
Moktak sounds float round the temple
보고파라 보고 파라
I miss you, I miss you
그림자처럼 머물다가신 님이시여
Like a shadow, you stayed and left, my beloved

빈손으로 왔다 빈손으로 가는 인생
Life came with empty hands and leaves empty handed
나무아미타불 나무아미타불
Save us, merciful Buddha, Save us, merciful Buddha
고요한 풍경소리 휘 돌아나갈제
The soft sound of the wind chimes goes round
그리워라 그리워라
Longing, longing
은은히 피어나는 천상의 바람
The indistinct pealing of a heavenly breeze

온들간들 세상사 무심하여라
Heedless to coming and goings of worldly affairs
마지막 미소 선물로 남기시고
Only your last smile remains as a gift
인연의 끈 놓으셨네
The bond of fate let loose,
보고파라 보고파 보고파라
I miss you, I miss you
그리워라 그리워라
Longing, longing
평화로운 모습으로 가신님
With a peaceful countenance, my beloved goes,
힘겨운 짐일랑 내려놓으시고
Lay down your heavy burden
이제는 편히 편히 가소서
Now, easily, easily go
이제는 편히 편히 쉬소서
Now, comfortably, comfortably rest
서방정토 극락세계 아미타 부처님
Western paradise, land of happiness, Amitahba Buddha-nim
해탈의길 열어 주소서
Please open the path to Nirvana
해탈의길 열어 주소서
Please open the path to Nirvana

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VebX2TCvPlM

무생화(보현스님) Lifeless Flower - Bohyun Seunim

- 무생화(보현스님) 명사십리 해당화야 꽃 진다고 서러 마라
At Myeongsa beach, rugusa rose flowers fall, don't be sad
명년 3월 봄이 오면 너는 다시 피련만
In March, coming year, when spring comes, you will bloom again,
우리인생 한번가면 다시 오기 어려워라
Once our life goes, coming again is difficult,
빈손으로 나왔다가 빈손들고 가는 인생
Life emerged empty handed, with empty hands it leaves
어디에서 왔으며 어디로 가는가
From somewhere we came, but where do we go?
한조각 뜬구름이 모였다 흩어지는 것 Fragments of clouds gather and then disperse
풀잎에 이슬이라 공수래 공수거
On blades of grass, morning dew comes and goes, leaving nothing
물위에 거품이라 일장춘몽 꿈이로다
Bubbles on water, a spring fantasy scene we dream

어디에서 왔으며 어디로 가는가 From somewhere we appear, but where do we go?
한 조각 뜬구름이 모였다 흩어지는 것
Fragments of clouds gather and then disperse
풀잎에 이슬이라 공수래 공수거
On blades of grass morning dew, comes and goes, leaving nothing
물 위에 거품이라 일장춘몽 꿈이로다.
Bubbles on water, a spring fantasy we dream
물 위에 거품이라 일장춘몽 꿈이로다.
Bubbles on water, a spring fantasy we dream


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QGtOQsm1kQ

Han O Bek Nyun 한오백년 500 years sorrow

Sorrows are many in this world, a heartless lover
lets affection go and just leaves, so the tears flow
Naturally, it is like that,
Five hundred years sorrow in life they say- why are you troubled?
By a field of fine sand on the beach, the seven stars gather
I pray and plead for my beloved to appear.
Naturally, it is like that,
Five hundred years sorrow in life they say- why are you troubled?

In the flower of youth, love trampled and devastated
tears flowing, where could one go
Naturally, it is like that,
Five hundred years sorrow in life they say- why are you troubled?
Sorrows are many in this cold world,
without compassion, I don't think I can live.
Naturally, it is like that,
Five hundred years sorrow in life they say, why are you troubled?


This is my interpretation of some verses chosen by contemporary singers for their performances from the traditional Korean "minyo" or folk song. The original version depicts the abandoned lover, who laments her fate and describes the different ways she recalls her lost love. The original is substantially longer. My interpretation is entirely subjective. There is no consensus on the title's exact meaning in English, which is in the refrain, and subject to some dispute. The lyrics are archaic, or ambiguous in several parts. I hadn't seen any good translations. I think that perhaps due to the song being an oral tradition. Nevertheless, the song's popular appeal in South Korea causes many traditional and popular singers to perform Han O Bek Nyun.

그대 손 놓아요 Let go my love's hand (I'll leave you)

이선희 "그대 손 놓아요" (Lee Sun-hee from the Red Sleeve OST)

어지러이 물든 그대란 세상 속 Within that dizzy world of you,
달이 저문 밤 하늘 같죠 It seems as the moon in a darkening night sky
스치는 바람에 꽃잎들조차 In the passsing wind, flower petals
하나둘씩 흩날리네요 Flutter by just one or two at a time
사랑 그 흔한 맘으로 In that simple heart, love
참아왔던 외로움의 시간들 Endured lonely times


고이 안아주던 그대 품 속에서 In my lover's tender embrace
터져오는 눈물을 꾹 참죠 Rising tears firmly restrain
내 세상을 온통 물들여버린 My world entirely clouded
그대 손 놓아요 Let go my love's hand


사랑 그 흔한 말들로 With these simple words, love
견뎌왔던 외로움의 시간들 Withstood lonely times


고이 안아주던 그대 품 속에서 In the tender embrace of my lover
터져오는 눈물을 꾹 참죠 Rising tears firmly restrain
내 세상을 온통 물들여버린 My world entirely clouded
그대 손 놓아요 Let go my love's hand


그대 곁에 행복한 날은 저물어가고 Happy days by my lover's side fading
홀로 남겨진 시간들에 지쳐 가요 Exhausted by those times left alone
그대 그대 그대가 그리워요 Missing you, you, you...


고이 안겨있던 그대 품 떠난 뒤 After I leave my lover's tender embrace
커져가는 내 맘을 누르죠 Repress my growing emotion
내 세상을 온통 물들여 버린 My world entirely clouded
그대 손 놓아요 Let go your hand.
그대 놓을게요 I'll leave you.

If I Leave

나 가거든.. 명성황후 Empress Meongseong OST
Lyrics Kang Eun-kyeong, Composition Lee Kyeong-shim, Original artist: Sumi Jo

쓸쓸한 달빛 아래
Below the still moonlight
내 그림자 하나 생기거든
My shadow emerges!
그땐 말해볼까요 이 마음
Shall it tell of that time?
들어나 주라고
Listen to this heart
문득 새벽을 알리는
Aware of sudden daybreak
그 바람 하나가 지나거든
Should that momentary desire pass
그저 한숨쉬듯 물어볼까요
As if taking a breathe, shall I inquire?
나는 왜 살고 있는지
Why am I living?

나 슬퍼도 살아야 하네
Even though sad, I must live,
나 슬퍼서 살아야 하네
Even though sad, I must live
이 삶이 다 하고 나야 알텐데
This life, I must give it all to know
내가 이 세상을 다녀간 그 이율
the reason I spent time in this world,
나 가고 기억하는 이
Upon my leave, remember this-
나 슬픔까지도 사랑했다 말해주길
Even though there was sadnesss, I'll say I loved
흩어진 노을처럼
like the red sky of the setting sun,
내 아픈 기억도 바래지면
If my hurtful memories also fade
그땐 웃어질까요 이 마음
Then, shall I laugh? This heart
그리운 옛일로
longing for the past
저기 홀로선 별 하나
That sole star over there
나의 외로움을 아는건지
Knows my loneliness
차마 날 두고는 떠나지 못해
Please, don't leave me here alone
밤새 그 자리에만
Overnight, only in this place.

나 슬퍼도 살아야 하네
Even though sad, I must go on living,
나 슬퍼서 살아야 하네
Even though sad, I must go on living,
이 삶이 다 하고 나야 알텐데
This life, I must give it all to know
내가 이 세상을 다녀간 그 이율
the reason I spent time in this world
나 가고 기억하는 이
Upon my leave, remember this-
내 슬픔까지도 사랑하길 우우
Even though there is sadness, I will love...oh...oh

부디 먼 훗날
Please, in the days long after
나 가고 슬퍼하는 이
this my sad passing..
나 슬픔속에도 행복했다 믿게
Even though I was sad at heart, believe I was happy.

Hangul lyrics Source: Musixmatch

My own translation, a work in progress. Other lyrics translations of this famous song depicting Empress Meongsang's reflections upon her tragic death by assassination (by the Japanese) appeared to be google AI or something like it. I could be wrong, this is my interpretation. The mournful tune is a metaphor for Korea's tragic modern history.

님은 먼 곳에. My love far away

님은 먼곳에 ( 김추자, 조관우 ) - 통기타여신 강지민–노래가★좋아 Kang Jimin*

So this is the Vietnam War era South Korean pop hit performed originally by singer Kim Chu-ja. The lyrics are credited to Yoo Ho ( 유호 ) with melody credited to Shin Joong-hyun ( 신중현 ). Singer Cho Gwan-oo performed the song in more recent times. This later performance took place on a talent competition program won by guitar player/singer Kang Jimin. Kang performs many US popular songs as well, mostly oldies. I saw another youtube of this same performance by Kang Jimin dated 2017. That's her father celebrating with her onstage.*

*link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7odwz5vodCY

Kim Chu-ja's original performance is 1969, on an album with a patriotic theme. The album fits in with the militaristic culture back then during the Park Chung-hee dictatorship. I like her version, but her recording has a night club or cabaret sound to it, which i guess was popular back then but sounds dated now. Kang Jimin's more contemporary style is mellow and pleasant sounding I think. I had a copy of Kim Chu-ja's album years ago, and would play it driving cross country. I knew the words by heart. When I tried to translate it to English, I had some trouble because the subject in some the lyric phrases isn't expressed clearly, often the case in Korean. That also gives the listener the option of subjective interpretation. So I assumed the context to be the theme of the soldier who left home to fight a war and didn't come back. Other youtube video presentations of the song confirmed this to be the case. There is also more upbeat patriotic song on Kim's same album, called (Sunburned) Sergeant Kim back from Vietnam (월남에서 돌아온 새까만 김상사 ) which makes the context clear.


님은 먼 곳에 My love far away

사랑한다고 말할 걸 그랬지 I would have said I love you,
님이 아니면 못 산다 할 것을 if you aren't my love I couldn't live
사랑한다고 말할 걸 그랬지 I would have said I love you,
망설이다가 가 버린 사람 I hesitated and now that person is gone away
마음 주고 눈물 주고 Gave his heart, gave his tears
꿈도 주고 멀어져 갔네 dreams, too, he gave, now gone far away
님은 먼 곳에 My love to a far away place
영원히 먼 곳에 To a forever far away place
망설이다가 While I hesitated.
님은 먼 곳에 My love went to a far place

죽창가 Bamboo Spear Song

The original poem is attributed to Kim Nam-ju ( 故 김남주 시인 ) according to an article in the International Newspaper July 16, 2019 shortly after the final episode of the dramatic series Noktu Flower ( 녹두꽃 ). Noktu Flower portrays the Tonghak reform movement in late 19th Century.* The article concerned a post by the former South Korean Justice Minister Cho Guk, who recalled the uprising incident to an evolving Japanese military takeover of late Chosun on facebook while he served as Civil Affairs secretary at the Blue House. The Bamboo Spear Song, which might be interpreted as the Bamboo Spear Hymn, played during the hanging execution scene adminstered by Japanese authorites. "Noktu," General Jeon Bong Jun, and his staff were hanged in this dramatic rendition while the Bamboo Spear Song played in the background. Cho Guk linked the spirit of that reform movement to the current national resistance to Japan's efforts to coerce South Korea economically. As discussed in my prior post, conservative presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol is a critic of of the "Bamboo Spear Song." He has thereby revealed himself as a representative of the legacy pro-Japan faction ( 친일파 ). The latter has found itself in an uncomfortable position each time a democratic administration comes to office in South Korea calling for a redress of historical grievances against Japan, legal and otherwise, which have yet to be resolved.

** 조국 게재한 죽창가 가사 내용은? 정치권 의견 분분, 이영실 기자, 7.16.19 국제신문 ; http://www.kookje.co.kr/news2011/asp/newsbody.asp?code=0100&key=20190716.99099007677

(Source- SBS/ondemandkorea.com) This historic image of General Jeon Bong Jun, also known as "Noktu" (mung bean), was interposed with the scene recreated in the current South Korean historical drama "Noktu Flower." The scene depicts Noktu for posterity after he and his military staff were sentenced to death. Nokdu was the leader of the Korean peasants' revolt that arose out of the decadence, corruption. violence and poverty of late Chosun. The peasant revolution in the late 19th Century precipitated a pretext for the Japanese invasion and occupation of Korea which didn't end till August 1945. In the image the condemned General Jeon (center) is being escorted by Japanese police in 1895.

The blog posted this picture of Noktu and discussed the significance of the drama Noktu flower based upon JTBC news reports at the time. (Japan's Weaponization of Trade with South Korea, July 14, 2019)


Below is my English interpretation of the lyrics:


This mountain village, soar together!
Let's become a flower. The flower
nurtured by falling tears and broken feet
let's become noktu flowers

This mountain valley all together take flight!
Lets become a bird. A bird
To north and south it cries,
Let's become the flying blue bird

This field alight together
Let's become a fire. A fire
burning plains lighting the darkness
Let's become the field afire

Let's do that, it's time for that
One more time, this village
Let's become a rebellion
Green pine green bamboo fixed in our heart
Let's become the bamboo spear

( 죽창가 / 김남주 시, 김경주 곡 )

I've taken a liberal rather than literal interpretation in order to convey the aesthetic and emotional appeal of the original in hangul. From watching the Noktu Flower drama series and learning from other sources about the period I tried to capture the spirit of the uprising's Bamboo Spear Hymn. The poem by Kim Nam-ju won a literary award in 1989. At some earlier point it was set to music by Kim Kyeong-ju, and sung by college students during the uprising against the Chun Du-hwan dictatorship. A song with similar imagery actually arose during the Tonghak rebellion period. There is an academic argument about the use of the symbolism of the "blue birds" as compared to the use of the symbol in '새야새야' ( Birds! Birds! )a folk song from the period in which the birds could be interpreted to symbolize invading foreign armies alighting on the mung bean (noktu) fields offending the spirit of the ancestors whose souls reside there to ward off the birds.* The seasonal coming and going of the birds takes a entirely different meaning in The Bamboo Spear Song.

*조국 수석의 '죽창가' 인용, 무엇이 문제란 말인가? 19.07.23 12:01l최종 업데이트 19.07.23 19:05l추준우 ; http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0002555923

Fair use: my intent is to inform and educate the English speaking public about the nature of Korean national aspirations and its history which the US government and western press seems to studiously and consistently ignore, immersed as it is in its pro-Japanese perspective.*

* See: US senior diplomat says Japan's 20th-century atrocities "are what they are," urges S. Korea, Japan to pursue good relationship, Hankyoreh, by Jul.30,2021 17:37 KST Modified on : Jul.30,2021 17:37 KST; By Hwang Joon-bum, http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_international/1005917.html


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정읍사 ( 井邑詞 )

정읍사 ( 井邑詞 ) Jeong Eub Tale ( 달님이여 ) Dear Moon by ( 이정표 ) Lee Jung-pyo

This song is believed to have originated in the Baek Jae Kingdom of southern Korea in the late 8th Century as a folk song. It is a prayer by a wife to the moon at night to keep safe her itinerant husband away on business from the hazards of travel in the darkness. The song is reputed to be the only song surviving from the Baek Jae period. The Korean wiki says it was recorded in the late 15th century during the Chosun Dynasty in the Illustrated Text of Traditional Music. ( 악학궤범 ) ( 樂學軌範 )

The original lyrics of the Baek Jae folk song aren't known. The lyrics later recorded during the Chosun dynasty are an old form of Hangul that need to be reinterpreted for modern listeners. Reportedly the song was performed at court in both the Goryeo and Chosun periods. This is Lee Jung-pyo's performance of the her interpretation of the lyrics and composition. A purpose of the song was to relieve the concern for a loved one away from home and assert one's faithfulness as a means of comfort. Lee's recent performance is intended to provide similar relief in these difficult times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXGbH1oGR_k

Below is my attempt to interpret Lee's modernized lyrics:

1.How did you spend your long day
2.Hope it wasn't too difficut
3.Thoughts of you come to mind again today
4.As light of day gradually fades
5.Moon, please shine brightly
6.I worry at night's darkening on your path home?
7.Perhaps your body is weary
8.When you set down, in the dark of night, exhausted
9.My dear moon!
10.Rise up, higher, higher!
11.Far and wide, please shine brightly
12.On the dark night's path
13.So my dear doesn't fall over uneven ground
14.By a fine golden light
15.It's cold, Send some warmth that way
16.To the ends of the earth, from the far heavens
17.Dear moon.

interlude

4,6,7,9,10,9,11,12,13,14,15,16,17

夢 꿈 Dream

조용필 Jo Yong-pil

화려한 도시를 그리며 찾아왔네
I came to the splendid city I envisioned,
그 곳은 춥고도 험한 곳
This cold and rough place
여기저기 헤매다 초라한 문턱에서
Here and there, wandered around, to this pityful doorway
뜨거운 눈물을 먹는다
shedding bitter tears

머나먼 길을 찾아 여기에 꿈을 찾아 여기에
I came on a long journey seeking my dream here, here
괴롭고도 험한 이 길을 왔는데
On this painful, rough street I came to be
이 세상 어디가 숲인지 어디가 늪인지
In this world wherever you go, there are forests and swamps
그 누구도 말을 않네
There, not a word from anyone.

사람들은 저마다 고향을 찾아가네
People each one, gone to their hometown
나는 지금 홀로 남아서
now I'm the only one left
빌딩 속을 헤매다 초라한 골목에서
wandering around these buildings in shabby alleys
뜨거운 눈물을 먹는다
shedding bitter tears.

저기 저 별은 나의 마음 알까
Star over there do you know my heart
나의 꿈을 알까
Do you know my dream?
괴로울땐 슬픈 노래를 부른다
When suffering comes, I sing a sad song

슬퍼질땐 차라리 나홀로 눈을 감고 싶어
When i'm becoming sad, I'd rather close my eyes alone
고향의 향기 들으면서
while imagining the scent of my hometown

저기 저 별은 나의 마음 알까
Star over there do you know my heart
나의 꿈을 알까
Do you know my dream?
괴로울땐 슬픈 노래를 부른다
When It becomes painful, I sing a sad song

이 세상 어디가 숲인지 어디가 늪인지
In this world wherever you go, there are forests and swamps
그 누구도 말을 않네
There, not a word from anyone.

슬퍼질땐 차라리 나홀로 눈을 감고 싶어
When i become sad, I'd rather close my eyes alone
고향의 향기 들으면서
while imagining the scent of my hometown

고향의 향기 들으면서
imagining the scent of my hometown

돌아와요 부산항에 Come back to Busan Port

1. 꽃피는 동백섬에 봄이 왔건만
Spring came to Camelia Island where flowers bloom but
형제 떠난 부산항에 갈매기만 슬피우네
at Busan port where my brother left, only the gulls sad cry
오륙도 돌아가는 연락선마다
As each ferry goes around Oryuk island
목메어 불러 봐도 대답 없는 내 형제여
I call out until hoarse, but there is no word of my brother,
돌아와요 부산항에 그리운 내 형제여
Return to Busan, my dear missed brother.

2. 가고파 목이 메여 부르던 이 거리는
I want to go, I called until choking, caught
그리워서 헤매이던 긴긴날의 꿈이었지
yearning, wandering in a former dream of a long, long day.
언제나 말없는 저 물결들도
As always, without words, those waves too,
부딪혀 슬퍼하며 가는 길을 막았었지
sadly break blocking the way to go,
돌아왔다 부산항에 그리운 내 형제여
I returned to Busan port, my dear missed brother.

This is the 1980 version performed by Jo Yong-Pil. Lyrics and melody credited to (황선우) Hwang Seon-roo. There is an earlier version of the song performed and recorded in 1969 by Kim Hae-il, called ( 돌아와요 충무항에 ) Come back to Choong-mu port that was essentially a very similar song and melody. Hwang Seon-roo had collaborated with Kim Hae-il in producing the original song and melody. This was the basis for the later plagarism suit after Jo Yong-pil made "Come back to Busan Port" a hit. Kim Hae-il had died an early tragic accidental death in a hotel fire during leave from military service in 1971. When Jo Yong-pil's version of the song became famous, Kim's family filed a plagiarism suit. Kim's version of the song had not been commercially successful. Kim's military service and early death resulted in the song languishing until Jo Yong-pil and Hwang seon-roo adapted and successfully revived it, apparently about 1976. The suit was subject to a settlement with Kim's family. In addition to some other details "my dear" is changed to "my brother" in the lyrics and obviously Choong-mu port near Tangyang where Kim Hae-il was born (about 2 hours west of Busan on the South Sea) was changed (back) to Busan port in the title and lyrics. Allegedly, Come back to Busan Port was the original title of a version written by Hwang before Kim Hae-il adapted it in their 1969 collaboration. In 1972 Hwang tried to produce it with Jo Yong-pil when he was working with the Kim Trio in 1972. The Jo Yong-pil effort finally succeeded in 1976.

These lyrics bring to mind the colonial period when Koreans may have traveled to or been transported to Japan for labor or military service. Also during periods of domestic hardship and repression after the Japanese defeat in WWII and the Korean War where such distress may have prompted such travels back and forth by Koreans.

Reference: 돌아와요 부산항에 https://namu.wiki/w/%EB%8F%8C%EC%95%84%EC%99%80%EC%9A%94%20%EB%B6%80%EC%82%B0%ED%95%AD%EC%97%90

This song is an exemplar of similar favorite songs like 눈물 젖은 두만강 Tumen River of Tears and 목포의 눈물 Mokpo's Tears.

훨훨훨 Wol Wol Wol

사랑도 부질없어 미움도 부질없어
Love is vain, hate too is futile
청산은 나를 보고 말없이 살라 하네
The green mountain, sees me, and says live quietly!
훨훨훨 훨훨 벗어 버려라 훨훨
Flutter, fly away, cast off, fly away
사랑도 미움도 버려라 벗어라 훨훨훨
Love too, hate too, throw off, fly away
아~ 아~ 물같이 바람같이 살라 하네
ahh, ahh, Like water and wind, live.


탐욕도 벗어 놓고 성냄도 벗어 놓고
Leave greed behind, too, and throw away anger
창공은 나를 보고 티없이 살라 하네
The blue sky, sees me, and says live simply!
훨훨훨 훨훨 벗어 버려라 훨훨
Flutter, fly away, cast off, fly away
탐욕도 성냄도 버려라 벗어라 훨훨훨
Greed, too, anger too, throw off, fly away
아~ 아~ 물같이 바람같이 살라 하네
ahh, ahh, Like water and wind, live.
물같이 바람같이 살라 하네
Like water and wind, live.

orig song: Kim Jong-im

상사화 Magic Lily

안예은 – Ahn Ye-eun: Lyrics, melody, original performance


사랑이 왜 이리 고된가요
Love, why is it this painful
이게 맞는가요
Is this right
나만 이런가요
Am I the only one this way
고운 얼굴 한 번 못 보고서
Not able to see your kind face once
이리 보낼 수 없는데
I can't send you this way

사랑이 왜 이리 아픈가요
Why does love hurt this way
이게 맞는가요
Is this right
나만 이런가요
Am I the only one
하얀 손 한 번을 못 잡고서
Not holding your pale hand one time
이리 보낼 순 없는데
I can't endure this.

다시 돌아올 수 없는
Unable to return again
그 험한 길 위에
Upon that rugged path
어찌하다 오르셨소
How is it you came
내가 가야만 했었던
I was supposed to go alone
그 험한 길 위에
Upon that difficult path
그대가 왜 오르셨소
Why did you come

기다리던 봄이
As the awaited spring
오고 있는데 이리
is coming, you leave me
나를 떠나오
in this way
긴긴 겨울이
As the long, long winter
모두 지났는데
is completely past
왜 나를 떠나가오
Why do you leave me

다시 돌아올 수 없는
Unable to return again
그 험한 길 위에
Upon that rugged path
어찌하다 오르셨소
How is it you came
내가 가야만 했었던
I was supposed to go alone
그…

Chilgapsan 칠갑산

칠갑산 Jo Un-pa 조운파

콩밭매는 아낙네야 Bean patch tending woman
배적삼이 흠뻑 젖는다 Summer jacket dripping wet
무슨설움 그리 많아 What sorrow is so great
포기마다 눈물심누나 At each plant dropping tears?

홀어머니 두고 시집 가던 날 The day she left her widowed mother to marry
칠갑산 산마루에 On the Chilgap mountain ridge
울어주든 산새소리만 Only the sound of a weeping mountain bird
어린가슴속을 태웠소 Burned within a child's heart.

홀어머니 두고 시집 가던 날 The day she left her widowed mother to marry
칠갑산 산마루에 On the Chilgap mountain ridge
울어주던 산새 소리만 Only the sound of a weeping mountain bird
어린가슴 속을 태웠소 Burned within a child's heart

Original song Ju Byung-son (1989). Lyrics and melody - Jo Un-pa 조운파

가야지 I Must Go

박범훈 곡 (Pak Beom-hun music) /김영임 노래 (Kim Yong-im lyrics)


가야지~ 가야지~~ 꽃 피고 새 울면 나는 가야지
I must go, I must go, as the flowers bloom and birds cry
산 넘고 물을 건너서 혼자 가야지
Crossing over the mountains, and crossing the waters, alone I must go
꽃이피면 꽃에서 자고 바람불면 바람에 자고
If flowers bloom, I sleep among them, when the wind blows I sleep in the wind,
머나먼 길 울며 불며 혼자 가야지
The distant path cries and calls, I must go
우리 절 부처님은 마음씨도 좋아
Our season in Buddha's spirit is good
오냐 오냐 잘가라고 나무~ 아미~ 타~불 아~~~
Come, Come and go well, Buddha bring peace to my soul

가야지~ 가야지~~ 꽃 피고 새 울면 나는 가야지~
I must go, I must go, as the flowers bloom and birds cry
산 넘고 물을 건너서 혼자 가야지~
Crossing over the mountains, and crossing the waters, alone I must go
속절없는 세상살이 소리없이 지고마는
Inevitably, life of this world, without sound, sets and finishes
꽂잎처럼 훠이~ 훠이~ 홀로 가야지~
Like the leaves of a flower, go! go! I must go
우리 절 부처님은 마음씨도 좋아
Our season in Buddha's spirit is good
오냐 오냐 잘가라고 나무~ 아미~ 타~불 아~~~
Come, Come and go well, Buddha bring peace to my soul



Saw a beautiful performance by Bohyun Seunim (monk) of I Must Go on a S.Korean interview program. Hoped to capture the essence of the song in the translation.* How does a song about death and the impermanence of life provide comfort? This is something Bohyun Seunim tried to explain in her interview. It is not dwelling on fate or as sadness, but to provide comfort. As a top musical performer with an aspiring career 27 years ago, how is that she gave up the interests of the material world for the asceticism of the temple? It was her path (My Way), After many years she returned to performing to provide comfort for charitable benefits.
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJWu5EQs3_A

황조가 (Hwangjoga)-이정표 (Lee Jung-pyo)

황조가 (Hwangjopa)-이정표 (Jungpyo Lee) from KBS 바람의 나라 ost

Lee Jung-pyo is the singer/composer.

The lyrics of a poem ascribed to King Yuri ( 19 BCE- 18CE ) of the Goguryeo Kingdom ( 고구려 高句麗 ) from the three kingdoms period. The song title is Hwang Jo Ga 황조가 , Yellow Bird Song according to the Hanja explanation in naver.com. This was the theme song from the KBS historical drama Kingdom of the Wind 바람의 나라 (2008). The series was a rendition of the Jumong legend. Jumong was the founder of the Goguryeo Kingdom. Yuri was the second king.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goguryeo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kingdom_of_the_Winds

My translation may not do the song justice:


There fluttering oriole.
Affectionate bond
between male and female.
When a lonely feeling arises in my small body,
Who shall go together
with me?

URL for the performances by Jungpyo Lee:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=232&v=KJFpkS4fgCE&feature=emb_logo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giRqJTLTp6o&feature=emb_logo

비 내리는 고모령 Rainy Gomoryeong

Looking back to the time I let go mother's hand
The owl cried and I cried too,
I long for the evening we crossed over the mountain ridges
with fallen leaves flying about.

How many years was it, I picked the amaranth blooming
Behind the water mill, enraptured?
Why can't I forget the budding wild rose?*
When will the falling rain cross Gomo pass?

Tears of childhood life, how many hills were there?
Among lanterns flickering at the tavern house,
Writing these sentimental notes to myself,
This evening yet, the night sings the homesick song


작사 유호 Lyrics Ryu Ho
작곡 박시춘 Music Park Si-choon
노래 현인 Original artist Hyun Ryin

*Multiple artists have recorded this song since Hyun Ryin's original. It's theme is about the lingering nostalgia for the life before coming of age and leaving the family home town ( 고 향 ) in the country. As usual, my interpretation of the lyrics is subjective and may includes some mistakes. A literal translation is awkward and difficult. The reference to 망향초 is an allusion to an old Chinese Han Dynasty legend of a beautiful princess 왕소군 exiled to a foreign land, who died there; it also literally means "nostaglia flower" the wild rose that sprouted on her grave near the border of her home country, where she wished to be buried. She died young due to her homesickness. Thus the line's reference to the "situation of the wild rose" probably refers to fleeing Koreans during the Japanese colonial period perhaps to join the independence movement.

I updated my earlier interpretation of 8.12.20 on 5.5.24

봄날은 간다

아름다운 강산

경성살롱] 봄이 지나가는 4월에 들어요. 이정표의 '봄날은 간다'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAeNF11VOUw

봄날은 간다 (1953) Springtime is gone

lyrics 손로원 melody 박시춘; original performer 백설회


As my pink skirt fluttered in the spring breeze
Today too, my dress tie snapping away while
Mountain sparrows fly across the shrine path
When the flowers bloom, we'd laugh together, if they withered,
together we'd cry,
In that tender promise, spring is gone.

Deep green leaves of grass, did float by in the flowing water
Today too, flower petals fall away,
Blue throated birds warble on horse cart road
When stars appeared, we'd laugh, when they set we'd cry
Those frivolous memories of spring gone by,

Age of nineteen, in the twilight, became sad,
Still, my breast, beats strongly
As a drifting cloud over a new road
Birds take flight, I follow smiling,
If the birds cry, I follow wailing
That evocative song, springtime is gone.



http://www.mdjournal.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=30129


"연분홍 치마가 봄바람에 휘날리더라
오늘도 옷고름 씹어 가며
산제비 넘나드는 성황당 길에
꽃이 피면 같이 웃고 꽃이 지면 같이 울던
알뜰한 그 맹세에 봄날은 간다

새파란 풀잎이 물에 떠서 흘러가더라
오늘도 꽃편지 내던지며
청노새 짤랑대는 역마차 길에
별이 뜨면 서로 웃고 별이 지면 서로 울던
실없는 그 기약에 봄날은 간다

열아홉 시절은 황혼 속에 슬퍼지더라
오늘도 앙가슴 두드리며
뜬구름 흘러가는 신작로 길에
새가 날면 따라 웃고 새가 울면 따라 울던
얄궂은 그 노래에 봄날은 간다"

오래된 정원 Ancient Garden

오래된 정원 Ancient Garden

Wind eddies around some stone wall
Hanging vines flutter in the wind
Old moss is lodged above a stone lamp
In a deep cave mountain birds rest and take flight
ah, ah, ah, ah -

In the misty ancient garden, white flowers bloom
I walk alone in bright moonlight

The breeze brushes past the foothills
In the front garden the whispering wind plays
As though the old owner had passed by
It seems pleasant news is on the way
ah, ah, ah, ah -

In the misty ancient garden, white flowers bloom
I walk alone in bright moonlight

[KBS전주] 국악한마당 // 하윤주, 이아름 - 오래된 정원

Has Anyone Seen My Love?

지난 날을 생각하며 I was thinking of past days
여기 왔어요 arriving here
내 마음은 My heart
나그네 되어 became a wanderer
헤어졌던 그 사람을 Seeking the person
찾고 있어요 separated from me
내 사랑을 본 적이 Has anyone seen my
있나요 아~ 아~ love? a..ah
주저앉아 울고 싶은데 I'd like to collapse crying
흠뻑 젖은 가슴을 overcome with tears
씻을 길 없는 no relief for a burdened breast
이 심정을 누가 아나요 Who knows my heart?
거리마다 추억이 Every street a memory
나를 울려요 making me cry
어디에서 Has someone,
그 누가 somewhere,
내 사랑을 Seen my
본 적이 있나요 love?

나는 지금 우울하게 Now I despair
헤매 다녀요 wandering here and there
지난 날을 While regretting
후회하면서 past days
잃어버린 시간들을 I'm looking for
찾고 있어요 those times I lost
내 사랑을 본 적이 Have you seen
있나요 아~ 아~ my love? a...ah.
주저앉아 울고 싶은데 I'd like to collapse crying
내 마음에 흐르는 the burning tears pouring
뜨거운 눈물 from my heart.
어느 누가 보고 있나요 Is there news from anyone?
거리마다 추억이 Each crossroad a memory
나를 울려요 making me want to cry.
어디에서 그 누가 Has anyone, anywhere
내 사랑을 happened to see
본 적이 있나요 My love?
거리마다 추억이 Each crossroad a memory
나를 나를 울려요 Making me..making me want to cry
어디에서 그 누가 Has anyone, anywhere
내 사랑을 happened to see
본 적이 있나요 My love?


정수라
작사 : 박건호
작곡 : 김영광

https://gasazip.com/206637