This is the Kouhaku theme song that was performed at the 60th Kouhaku utagassen (Red-white song competition), which is a huge live end of the year show in Japan. It is 4 1/2 hours long and features around 40 famous musical artists. I just love this song. The public were asked beforehand to complete the phrase "歌の力"(the power of song) with what that means to them. Some of those words make up the lyrics to this song that were the singers performed together during the show. The music was composed and lyrics arranged by 久石譲 (Joe Hisaishi).
~~~~~Kanji
歌の力 よみがえるあの時出会えた奇跡 同じ空の下
あなたの笑顔 ふと素直になれた
踏み出す勇気 何かが変わる
流れ落ちる涙 それでも私は
想いを伝える 大丈夫ひとりじゃない
歌の力 心の声のせて
あなたに届け 100年先も
時のアルバム 明日への記憶
果てない想い 今風に乗せて
子供たちの未来 母との思い出
通い合う心 よみがえる夢の続き
歌の力 あなたが生きた証
時代を超えて 100年先も
歌の力 生きる喜びこめて
すべてをつなぐ 無限の力
歌の力 あなたが生きた証
世界に響け！ 100年先も
~~~~~
Romaji
uta no chikara yomigaeru ano toki
deaeta kiseki onaji sora no shita
anata no egao futo sunao ni nareta
fumidasu yuuki nanika ga kawaru
nagare ochiru namida soredemo watashi wa
omoi wo tsutaeru daijoubu hitori ja nai
uta no chikara kokoro no koe nosete
anata ni todoke hyaku nen saki mo
toki no ARUBAMU ashita e no kioku
hatenai omoi ima kaze ni nosete
kodomo-tachi no mirai haha to no omoide
kayoi au kokoro yomigaeru yume no tsuzuki
uta no chikara anata ga ikita akashi
jidai wo koete hyaku nen saki mo
uta no chikara ikiru yorokobi komete
subete wo tsunagu mugen no chikara
uta no chikara anata ga ikiru akashi
sekai ni hibike! hyaku nen saki mo
deaeta kiseki onaji sora no shita
anata no egao futo sunao ni nareta
fumidasu yuuki nanika ga kawaru
nagare ochiru namida soredemo watashi wa
omoi wo tsutaeru daijoubu hitori ja nai
uta no chikara kokoro no koe nosete
anata ni todoke hyaku nen saki mo
toki no ARUBAMU ashita e no kioku
hatenai omoi ima kaze ni nosete
kodomo-tachi no mirai haha to no omoide
kayoi au kokoro yomigaeru yume no tsuzuki
uta no chikara anata ga ikita akashi
jidai wo koete hyaku nen saki mo
uta no chikara ikiru yorokobi komete
subete wo tsunagu mugen no chikara
uta no chikara anata ga ikiru akashi
sekai ni hibike! hyaku nen saki mo
~~~~~
English translation (first draft)
The power of song,
Resurrecting that time,
The miracle of meeting you under the same sky
Your smile suddenly became meek(?)
The courage to step forward, something is changing
But even through the flowing tears,
I will tell you my feelings
It's okay, you're not alone
The power of song, carries the voice of the heart
and sends it to you, for a hundred years more
The album of time, the memories of the heading to tomorrow
Endless feelings are now riding on the wind
Children's future, memories with their mother
The coming and goings of the heart
The continuation of resurrecting dreams
The power of song, you are the proof of having lived
Passing through generations, for a hundred years more
The power of song, including the joy of living
Connecting everything, infinite power
The power of song, you are the proof of having lived
Echo through the world! For a hundred years more
Resurrecting that time,
The miracle of meeting you under the same sky
Your smile suddenly became meek(?)
The courage to step forward, something is changing
But even through the flowing tears,
I will tell you my feelings
It's okay, you're not alone
The power of song, carries the voice of the heart
and sends it to you, for a hundred years more
The album of time, the memories of the heading to tomorrow
Endless feelings are now riding on the wind
Children's future, memories with their mother
The coming and goings of the heart
The continuation of resurrecting dreams
The power of song, you are the proof of having lived
Passing through generations, for a hundred years more
The power of song, including the joy of living
Connecting everything, infinite power
The power of song, you are the proof of having lived
Echo through the world! For a hundred years more
