Aogeba Totoshi (Song of Gratitude)


Aogeba toutoshi wagashi no on

How fast time flies, I cannot believe how quickly the moments have passed, and

how deeply indebted we feel to our teachers


Oshie no niwa ni mo hayaiku tose

The precious years have come and gone, too soon, here with you in our "garden of learning"


Omoeba itotoshi kono toshi tsuki

We have learned from you the right way to do what must be done


Imakoso wakareme, iza saraba.

And now is the time to say farewell with an eternally grateful heart.


Tagai ni mutsu mishi higoro no on

How close and deep our ties have become


Wakaruru nochinimo yayo, wasuruna

I will always remember your teaching and carry your wisdom throughout my life


Mi wo tatte, na wo age, yayo, hageme yo

And I will always throw out my chest and keep my head held high


Imakoso wakareme, iza, saraba.

Now is the time to say farewell with an eternally grateful heart.


Asayuu nareshini, manabi no mado

How hard I worked in the classroom from dawn to dusk with you


Horaru no tomoshibi, tsumu shirayuki

The season when the fireflies sparkled andthe season when the snow piled high


Wasururuma sonaki, yuku toshitsuki

And I will never forget the wonderful things I learned from you


Imakoso wakareme, iza saraba.

Now is the time to say farewell with an eternally grateful heart.

Here is a contemporary version sung to acoustic guitar accompaniment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl3hOZGLdWY&feature=related