Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai - [Translation] Mad World (lyrics)

Ayumi Hamasaki Sekai (http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/index.php)

- Lyrics (http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=51)

- - [Translation] Mad World (lyrics) (http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122829)

Quote:

Originally Posted by artcika (Post 3198137)

thing is when translating something like japanese, and especially a song you cannot really get the actual meaning, unless an artist themselves write the english translation. Only they know exactly what they meant saying what.

I really love the things she's discussing in her lyrics on this album, It's gotten even better since i know what they talk about. Thanks a lot for the translations!!

Closest we got was the "OFFICIAL" Tell All lyrics which was a bit slangy probably due to Timmy, also the phrases translated for TeamAyu Tour.

Quote:

Originally Posted by truehappiness (Post 3198148)

Closest we got was the "OFFICIAL" Tell All lyrics which was a bit slangy probably due to Timmy, also the phrases translated for TeamAyu Tour.

Ooooh, where's that? :luv2

They're in the Tell All book but we documented it here. Let me get them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by truehappiness (Post 3198150)

They're in the Tell All book but we documented it here. Let me get them.

Thank youuu. ^^

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Seasons (Post 3198128)

No need to get defensive lol. You added the "would" because of "if.." I am sure. Which is fine, like I said. This is just one of those songs that lose impact when translated focused on grammar and not meaning.

No, that's not why. And I'm getting defensive because I'm tired of people thinking they know things better when they've only taken a few classes. If you still need to ask for romaji (in the flower thread), you obviously don't know enough to understand finer Japanese grammar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Seasons (Post 3198151)

Thank youuu. ^^

Quote:

Things like the darkness inside you...
Things like the wind against your cheek...

There are so many things that only you can know...

If I hesitate, nothing begins
If nothing begins, I won't know the pain of losing you

The future screams at me "it's not time to give up yet"

I chose this fight in order to love you

Things like you on a beautiful morning...
Things like you, unafraid at night...

I want you to tell me that you're happy...

If we regret, we can't forgive what we've done
If we can't forgive, we can't smile

The future screams at me "it's time to press forward"

I chose this fight in order to love you

I'm gonna become the reason you breathe

To Ryan <3

From the Tell All lyrics thread.

Compare with translation by Larien:

Quote:

Whether it's the depth of the darkness you are carrying
Or the force of the wind striking your cheeks
There are undoubtedly things
That only you can understand

If you hesitate,
Nothing can begin
If you don’t start,
You will not understand the pain of loss

I’m screaming out toward the future
Saying that now is not the time to give up
In order to love you,
I chose this battle.

You go out to greet a gentle morning
You pass the night unafraid
Without any fighting spirit
I want you tell me you are happy

*Living in a state of regret,
You will never come to terms with the past
If you cannot let go of the past,
At least smile for me now

I’m screaming out toward the future
Saying that now is the time to move forward
In order to love you,
I chose this battle.

In doing this, if I can support your success
Raise your voice
And raise your head, to charge forward without looking back
There is nothing to be afraid of

*If you hesitate,
Nothing can begin
If you don’t start,
You will not understand the pain of loss

I’m screaming out toward the future
Saying that now not the time to give up
In order to love you,
I chose this battle.

Living in a state of regret,
You will never come to terms with the past
If you cannot let go of the past,
At least smile for me now

I’m screaming out toward the future
Saying that now is the time to move forward
In order to love you,
I chose this battle.

I will be the proof that you were here

@truehappiness: Thank you for posting! This is a great example of how a perfect translation is much less effective than a meaningful one, haha. I kinda wish Ayu would do some translations for all her songs. XD

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenshi no hane (Post 3198152)

Doe even normaal, joh. Diep ademen. :)

"nara" doesn't, strictly speaking, mean "if" when it replaces "wa" as a topic marker. It's more like just adding emphasis to the "you." It's something that doesn't have a word that denotes it in english, just a forceful accent. It sorta means "Nevermind me, what about YOU?"

I feel like you guys are a bit hung up on the "if" aspect, when "if" is just one possible way to translate this construct.

But regardless, holy crap the lyrics on this album are good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delirium-Zer0 (Post 3198161)

Thank you for the insight. That makes more sense with how I view the lyrics' meaning.

[告げ?柘植?] = I'm hearing Tsuge, so it could be either one of those i think.

"tsuge no kami ga waratteru" = this is what i hear.

These lyrics gave me the chills. Ayu really brought it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tenshi no hane (Post 3198068)

The usual: Official lyrics aren't out yet, so, there might one or two errors. I couldn't make out one word no matter how hard I tried.

Mad World

If trees could speak
what would they plead for?
Chopped down without mercy,
they lie at death’s door

The god of [???] laughs
at our endless foolishness

*
Tell me, if it's you,
what would you think at a time like this?
Tell me, if it’s me,
to whom should I confess
what I’m thinking at a time like this, in tears?

If the wind could speak
what would it plead for?
Its colours and scent
polluted beyond recognition

The god of [???] laughs
at our immense arrogance

**
Tell me, if it's you,
how would you live in this era?
Tell me, this era honestly makes me sick to my stomach
— where should I voice this opinion?

"It means nothing if I, just one person,
stands up" — thinking like that,
are you waiting for a stranger
to stand up before you?

* repeat
** repeat

Japanese lyrics:

Spoiler:

Romaji

Moshi kigi ga hanasetara
Nani wo uttaeru darou
Muzan ni kiritaosare
Yokotawaru shi no fuchi de

Owari naki orokasa ni
Tsuge no kami ga waratteru

Oshiete yo nee, anata nara
Konna toki nani wo omou?
Oshiete yo nee, watashi nara
konna toki nani wo omoi
namida shite iru no ka nante
hontou dare ni hakeba ii?

Moshi kaze ga hanasetara
Nani wo uttaeru darou
Iroda toka nioi toka
Genkei naku osensare

Idai suru goumansa
Tsuge no kami ga waratteru

Oshiete yo nee, anata nara
Kono jidai wo dou ikiru?
Oshiete yo nee, watashi wa mou
Kono jidai ni kokoro kara
Hakike ga shiteru dato katte
Honne wa doko ni yareba ii?

「Tatta jibun hitori dake ga
Tachiagatta toko de imi wanai」
Sou yatte shiranu dareka ga
Saki ni tatsu no wo matsu no

Oshiete yo nee, anata nara
Konna toki nani wo omou?
Oshiete yo nee, watashi nara
konna toki nani wo omoi
namida shite iru no ka nante
hontou dare ni hakeba ii?

Oshiete yo nee, anata nara
Kono jidai wo dou ikiru?
Oshiete yo nee, watashi wa mou
Kono jidai ni kokoro kara
Hakike ga shiteru dato katte
Honne wa doko ni yareba ii?

Thank you so much!

I really like those lyrics, they are great!

Obligatory moderator note - as much as it is nice to debate and discuss lyrics, questioning a translator's work is different. Tenshi does a very dedicated job voluntarily and keeping respectful of both the studies and experience she brings is the least anyone can do to thank her for her time. There is a way to suggest changes or discuss why a decision has been made in particular for a translation in a way that does not undermine her efforts.

Also, translation of art, like lyrics - especially for languages without a shared root, like English and Japanese - will always be something that can change from person to person, with valid reasons for each different choice. That's why you will always see some variation between the different translations posted to AHS. Tenshi has always welcomed different interpretations of lyrics to be posted so there is no need to begin challenging how knowledgeable she is of that fact.

Let's keep the rest of the thread civil. Thanks all!

I love the focus she puts on nature in this song. She mentions nature a lot in her lyrics, but I don't think she's ever talked about environmental issues (I could be wrong, not sure), so it's nice to see her bring them up.

I just posted an introductory video on the facebook group for one of my sustainability studies classes online...and then I come read this lol

It makes me sooo happy to read lyrics like this from her. I am definitely forever for this side of ayu. And it makes me love Mad World even more tbh

This line:

"It means nothing if I, just one person,
stands up" — thinking like that,
are you waiting for a stranger
to stand up before you?

absolute perfection. real af.

Very Earthsong/Heal the World of Ayu, lol.

Thanks so much for translating! The lyrics are just as amazing as the song

Lol I didn't read the environmental aspect of it. I think the nature reference is just metaphorical

I'm the only one who cried while reading and listening to the song?

Thanks for the translation! now this song is one of my favorites :')