My grandfather’s treasured sanshin, forgotten with the passing of time,
Leaned in the alcove next to the island liqueur I received for my birthday.

Stroking the gathered dust with my finger, I wound its loosened strings,
And out rang an island song I’d always found so boring.

Memories of the days I spent with you come back so vividly,
Piercing my chest with a tender beauty;
What bloomed there was a sanshin flower.

Sitting in the place you always sat, diagonal from the television,
I can see the moon rising outside that aluminum window.

I wonder how it tastes to drink alcohol while gazing upon your family.
I wonder whose song you always played before falling asleep.

If I can someday sing about happiness and sadness,
Then upon this island… weeping in autumn, enduring in winter,
And blooming in spring, will be a sanshin flower.

This sky… that sea… tell no tales;
Becoming one with the warm wind, calling rains across this island,
What bloomed there was a sanshin flower.

Weeping in autumn, enduring in winter, and blooming in spring… will be a sanshin flower.

いつしか忘れられた　オジーの形見の三線
床の間で誕生祝いの　島酒にもたれて

ほこりを指でなでて　ゆるんだ糸を巻けば
退屈でたまらなかった　島唄が響いた

鮮やかによみがえる　あなたと過ごした日々は
やわらかな愛しさで　この胸を突き破り
咲いたのは　三線の花

テレビの斜め向かいの　あなたが居た場所に
座ればアルミの窓から　夕月が昇る

家族を眺めながら　飲む酒はどんな味
眠りにつく前の　唄は誰の唄

喜びも悲しみも　いつの日か唄えるなら
この島の土の中　秋に泣き冬に耐え
春に咲く　三線の花

この空もあの海も　何も語りはしない
この島に暖かな　風となり雨を呼び
咲いたのは　三線の花

秋に泣き冬に耐え　春に咲く　三線の花