Requiem- Angela Aki

Most readers know that I love Angela Aki. There’s something a bit morbid about hearing songs with really happy beats but depressing lyrics, like Tashika Ni.

Nothing really beats her songs about death though, and it’s no different from this time, except perhaps instead, the song is personal. It was written in memory of her grandfather, who passed away while Answer, her latest album, was being produced.

Minus the Italian Subs, (just let it play, really, and enjoy the song), I love the sound of Requiem. It speaks about death, and there’s a certain epic quality to it that mixes the essence of Uchuu and Moral No Soushiki, as another fan puts it.

However, it’s not the tune itself that has seduced me this time. It’s kind of the whole song, taken together in its totality. Here, for once, have the English translation instead of the Japanese words first:

Requiem
Vocals: Angela Aki
Lyrics: Angela Aki
Album: Answer
All lyrics, translations and information taken from here.

English:
(First Movement)

The last thing I saw was 2 bright headlamps from the opposite lane
In that night when it rained heavily
I lost my life just like that

I awoke to someone calling my name
It was a voice of unprecedented gentleness
“Open that crimson door in front of you
And cross over to this side” it said

“There’re some people I wish to bid farewell to
Can you grant me just a little bit more time?”

“In that case, let’s wait for one night only
This door closes for eternity tomorrow morning
So please take care”

After promising to return
The broken clock started to move

(Second Movement)

I broke the silence of the night
And returned back to earth
I have to bid farewell
Before dawn arrives
Travelling to where you are
“I’m coming to see you”

Returned to the hometown
With the nostalgic scenery I grew up with
I found mother lighting a candle silently, praying
“Mother, I’m home”

Mother goodbye
There’s a truth I’ve found only after accepting death
There are things I never said because I took them for granted
Not once, I could bring myself to say this
I could never find the words
Thank you for loving me, I am truly grateful
“Be well, Mother”

I have to bid farewell
Before dawn arrives
Travelling to where you are
I found you at the seashore
Tears flowing while gazing at the moon
“Oh, my lover”

My love goodbye
There’s a truth I’ve found only after accepting death
There are things I never said because I took them for granted
I could never bring this across well
That I found happiness having met you
Thank you for loving me, I am truly grateful
“Goodbye, my love”

If only I told you this, when I was still alive (repeat)

(Third Movement)

aeternam habeas requiem
(May you have eternal rest)

(Forth Movement)

With this, I came to the end of my journey
Finally pushing open that crimson door
I found, waiting for me, a huge silver ship
Waiting to take me for a ride into eternity

Read the rest of this entry »

Original entry as appearing at Reach Into Your Soul.

[Copywriter's Chronicles] Indirect Kisses and Self-Pwnage

Self-pwnage:
Grayfox hits my head twice with Shugo, bringing a new meaning to the phrase “Clubbed by a seal.”

Grayfox: *sends MSN to the Wind Goddess* Grayfox 2, Geminianeyes, 1 (I shot him with a pallet gun after that).
Me: *Takes said gun back to his place for some close-range aiming*
Grayfox: *grabs his 8-ball and raises arm* THUD!
Grayfox: *winces in pain*
Me: *dissolves into laughter*

Grayfox managed to hit his elbow on the table with a thud loud enough to reverberate throughout the office.

~~~~~~

Indirect Kisses

Backstory: Chris has been trying to molest our resident Bald-Headed Casanova (BHC) since he came into the office for a quick consultation.

Chris: *Picks up BHC’s mug and smells it*
BHC: Oi, what are you trying to do with my mug?
Office: Did he drink from it?
Chris: No! I was just smelling it.
Me: OMG, was he trying for an indirect kiss?
BHC: *steps far away from Chris*

Sorry it’s been a long day.

Original entry as appearing at Reach Into Your Soul.