Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Keep on believing

When I told my students at Yamane Jr. High that I'm learning how to play guitar, they challenged me to learn how to sing & play a Japanese song.

So I told them to pick out any song, and I would learn it for them. They chose "Tegami" (which means "Letter") -- a really popular song right now. I've heard it being played in restaurants and stores, so I was already familiar with the tune.

"Tegami" is about a 15-year-old girl who writes a letter to her future self because she has worries she doesn't want to tell anyone else. In the second part of the song, the "future self" replies to the letter saying, "keep on believing" in yourself, and don't be defeated. It's an encouraging, uplifting song, and a good one for me to learn.

I've been listening to "Tegami" a lot lately, and it's been stuck in my head even more than "the peach crush song."

I'm going to keep on practicing and listening to it. :)



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4 comments:

Lauren said...

Daaayna,

That is so cool that you are still keeping up with your guitar practicing! You make me proud!

Anonymous said...

This song is great. although they used it way too much for graduation ceremonies... My students used to say that I looked like Angela Aki, ahaha!

They chose a great song for you to learn!

Dawn said...

Since you'd know - haha - I looked up the english translation -- hopefully whomever wrote it got it right.


Dear you,
Who's reading this letter
Where are you and what are you doing now?

For me who's 15 years old
There are seeds of worries I can't tell anyone

If it's a letter addressed to my future self,
Surely I can confide truly to myself

Now, it seems that I'm about to be defeated and cry
For someone who's seemingly about to disappear
Whose words should I believe in?
This one-and-only heart has been broken so many times
In the midst of this pain, I live the present

Dear you,
Thank you
I have something to tell the 15-year-old you

If you continue asking what and where you should be going
You'll be able to see the answer

The rough seas of youth may be tough
But row your boat of dreams on
Towards the shores of tomorrow

Now, please don't be defeated and please don't shed a tear
During these times when you're seemingly about to disappear
Just believe in your own voice
For me as an adult, there are sleepless nights when I'm hurt
But I'm living the bittersweet present

There's meaning to everything in life
So build your dreams without fear
Keep on believing

Seems like I'm about to be defeated and cry
For someone who's seemingly about to disappear
Whose words should I believe in?

Please don't be defeated and please don't shed a tear
During these times when you're seemingly about to disappear
Just believe in your own voice

No matter era we're in
There's no running away from sorrow
So show your smile, and go on living the present
Go on living the present

Dear you,
Who's reading this letter
I wish you happiness

Unknown said...

Very pretty song! I wish I knew the words :) I sure you will do a very nice job of singing and playing the song for your students. You are brave for taking this on. That is one of many reasons why I admire you. I would probably not be so brave.