Hotaru no Hikari
Hotaru no Hikari (蛍の光, meaning "Glow of a firefly") is a Japanese song incorporating the tune of Scottish folk song Auld Lang Syne with completely different lyrics by Chikai Inagaki, first introduced in a collection of singing songs for elementary school students in 1877 (Meiji 10). The swapping of lyrics without substantial change to the music is known as contrafactum. The words describe a series of images of hardships that the industrious student endures in his relentless quest for knowledge, starting with the firefly’s light, which the student uses to keep studying when he has no other light sources. It is commonly heard during graduation ceremonies and at the end of the school day. Many stores and restaurants play it to usher customers out at the end of a business day. On the very popular Japanese New Year's Eve TV show, NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen, it has become a tradition for all the performers to sing Hotaru no Hikari as the last song. Another Western song reworked in the same period (late 19th century) and also used at graduation ceremonies is "Aogeba tōtoshi".
Lyrics
| Verse | Japanese text | Romaji | English translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 蛍の光 窓の雪 書よむ月日 重ねつつ いつしか年も すぎの戸を あけてぞ今朝は 別れゆく |
Hotaru no hikari, mado no yuki, Fumi yomu tsukihi, kasane tsutsu Itsushika toshi mo, sugi no to wo, Aketezo kesa wa, wakare yuku. |
Light of fireflies, snow by the window, Many suns and moons spent reading Years have gone by without notice Day has dawned; this morning, we part. |
| 2 | とまるも行くも 限りとて かたみに思う ちよろずの 心のはしを ひとことに さきくとばかり 歌うなり |
Tomaru mo yuku mo, kagiri tote, Katami ni omou, chiyorozu no, Kokoro no hashi wo, hitokoto ni, Sakiku to bakari, utau nari. |
Stay or leave, either an end Think as mementos; so many Corners of my heart, in one word Sing for peace |
| 3 | 筑紫のきわみ 陸の奥 海山遠く へだつとも その真心は へだてなく ひとえにつくせ 国のため |
Tsukushi no kiwami, michi no oku, Umi yama tooku, hedatsu tomo, Sono magokoro wa, hedate naku, Hitoe ni tsukuse, kuni no tame |
Far reaches of Kyushu and Tōhoku Though separated by seas and mountains Their sincere hearts are not. Serve single-mindedly for our country. |
| 4 | 千島のおくも おきなわも やしまのうちの まもりなり いたらんくにに いさおしく つとめよわがせ つつがなく |
Chishima no oku mo, Okinawa mo Yashima no uchi no, mamori nari Itaran kuni ni, isaoshiku Tsutome yo waga se, tsutsuganaku |
From the ends of Chishima to Okinawa, All part of Japan. Contribute to our great country. I'll faithfully devote my life. |