This is the day1 Of the expanding man2 That shape is my shade1 There where I used to stand2 It seems like only yesterday1 I gazed through the glass3 At ramblers4 Wild gamblers4 That's all in the past3
man とstand、 glassと pastで韻と言えるの?と思われるかも知れません。綴りとしては不完全な韻です。でも歌をお聴きください。ばっちりです。歌は母音が長くなって強調されます。おまけにフェイゲンは行末の子音を柔らかく歌ってますから丁度いいです。
You call me a fool1 You say it's a crazy scheme2 This one's for real1?2? I already bought the dream2 So useless to ask me why3 Throw a kiss and say goodbye3 I'll make it this time4 I'm ready to cross that fine line4
“‘Deacon Blues’ is about as close to autobiography as our tunes get. We were both kids who grew up in the suburbs, we both felt fairly alienated. Like a lot of kids in the ’50s, we were looking for some kind of alternative culture, an escape from where we found ourselves.” 「Deacon Bluesって僕らの自伝みたいなもの。二人とも子どもの頃は郊外で育ったけど、すごく疎外感があった。50年代、多くの子どもたちと同じように僕らもなんらかのオルタナティブな文化を探してた。実際の居場所からの逃避としてね。」
I'll learn to work the saxophone1 I'll play just what I feel2 Drink Scotch whisky all night long1 And die behind the wheel2 They got a name for the winners in the world I want a name when I lose 3 They call Alabama the Crimson Tide4 Call me Deacon Blues3
My back to the wall 1 A victim of laughing chance 2 This is for me The essence of true romance 2 Sharing the things we know and love 3 With those of my kind Libations 4 Sensations 4
英語でBack to the wallを背水の陣、とすると耳には心地よくても景色が違うなあ、と悩ましいです。ここでちょっと目立つ言葉はvictimとlibation。後者は要するにお酒ですが、alcohol, drinkでは韻が台無し。それにlibationは生贄を捧げるときに大地に注いだりするお神酒、献げものとしてのお酒をさします。2行目のVictimと響き合うでしょう?それにしてもチャンスがlaughing…って。笑うにもいろいろあります。静かににっこりはsmile,歯をむき出してバカにしたように笑うのはgrin.laughは「声をあげて笑う」。生贄をほふりながら声を挙げて笑う…grinより却って怖いです。力が抜けそう…
I crawl like a viper 1 Through these suburban streets 2 Make love to these women Languid and bittersweet 2 I'll rise when the sun goes down 3 Cover every game in town 3 A world of my own 4 I'll make it my home sweet home 4
This is the night 1 Of the expanding man 2 I take one last drag As I approach the stand 2 I cried when I wrote this song 3 Sue me if I play too long 3 This brother is free 4 I'll be what I want to be 4
さいごのI’ll be what I want to beは「俺はなりたい俺になる」でもいいと思います。ただ、「なりたい自分になる」は自己啓発で使い古されたポジティブ表現。「成る」に10代のようなナイーブさを感じるのは私だけでしょうか。語呂の事情もあるしょうが、ここはbeの「在る」の禅語を思わせるニュアンスを遺したいと思いました。
「君はグリーンストリートで大暴れしたらしいね」という訳を見かけましたが、これはお話を作りすぎかも。ジャーナリズムじゃないんです。また、a book of numbersを旧約聖書としているのも見かけましたが、これはthe book of numbers民数記と取り違えたのでしょう。a, theを甘く見てはいけません。電話帳を a book of numbers というのは普通ではありませんが、ここは語調、曲調からa phone bookでは字足らずです。
Break away when it seems so clear that it is now over のところはまだ会心とはいきません…別れた女をどう呼ぶかも悩ましい…お目汚しでございます。日本語でも韻を踏み過ぎるとあざといのでちょっと外しました。放っておくと七五調になりますが、それは気をつけてひっこめました。
In the corner 1 Of my eye 2 I saw you in Rudy's 3 You were very high 2 You were high 2 It was a cryin' disgrace 4 They saw your face 4 On the counter 1 By your keys 2 Was a book of numbers 3 And your remedies 2 One of these 2 Surely will screen out the sorrow 4 But where are you tomorrow 4 I can't cry anymore 1 While you run around 2 Break away 3 Just when it 4 Seems so clear 5 That it's 4 Over now 6 Drink your big black cow 6 And get out of here 5 Down to Greene Street 1 There you go 2 Lookin' so outrageous 3 And they tell you so 2 You should know 2 How all the pros play the game 4 You change your name 4 Like a gangster 1 On the run 2 You will stagger homeward 3 To your precious one 2 I'm the one 2 Who must make everything right 4 Talk it out till daylight 4
I don't care anymore 1 Why you run around 2 Break away 3 Just when it 4 Seems so clear 5 That it's 4 Over now 6 Drink your big black cow 6 And get out of here 5
Fill my eyes O Lithium sunset And take this lonesome burden Of worry from my mind Take this heartache Of obsidian darkness And fold my darkness Into your yellow light
I’ve been scattered I’ve been shattered I’ve been knocked out of the race But I’ll get better I feel your light upon my face
Heal my soul O Lithium sunset And I’ll ride the turning world Into another night
今朝、Eさんが用意したのはキャロル・ケネディ元駐日アメリカ大使のお別れの挨拶の一部。「ケネディ大使の英語はpure and simpleですてきなんですが、日本語が…」
おやおや、そういうこともあるものなんですね。ちょいと拝見。
前略 I am grateful to the people of Tohoku for welcoming me and for inspiring the world with your courage and resilience. I was deeply moved to meet students who are staying in the region to work on revitalization, local officials who put their communities first despite great personal loss and see the progress being made over the past three years to rebuild lives and communities. 後略