The Hidden Pain Of a Samurai

Bushido, the Soul of Japan

Once I walked like a roaring tiger, with honor
I was transferred during this feudal period
In front of the Emperor, in the affairs of the Imperial Palace
Within the Shogunate I grew exponentially

However, I was betrayed by someone who called himself a friend but was disloyal
I survived badly wounded, poor and without a title
Now, seeking a manual trade
Moved by the exchange of bread

The tiger became a Ronin
Before defending the honor of my clans
I forgot my home, along with my wife and children
I grew old with my sword, with my pains and conflicts
With a katana wielded
Now rusty
Trembling in my hands
Unfortunately, I am a ronin

Sit down, I'll tell you how it was

With my Art of War
I relentlessly attack
Waiting and watching my enemy
Falling to the ground
While I see others fleeing
From my merciless fury

Running in the cold night
Over the rice fields
Warming my wet body
While I take two sips
Of this sake in moldy cups
Always attentively looking east
Remembering you both

Honoring this Dynasty
I left the country house
Up my shoulders
All this lament falls

I could see your weeping
And seeing my son running
Just another fruit of Edo
This period that is fading away

That which I always feared, I felt just ahead
Like a dagger's edge piercing my chest
In this pulsing, tearing feeling
The pain of loss was right there, it was in that instant that I saw
The summit of Fuji and in that instant I was reborn

The Cherry Blossoms
When the feeling overwhelms you
I know I might not return
Just one more time I wish
The reward is often just a dowry
The Cherry Blossoms
Seeing those cherry trees while they bloomed
Below their roots nourished them
How many wounds they awaken in you
The Cherry Blossoms

Watching our children play
While they are not old enough to train
Much less think about fighting
Our fate as a samurai
To act tough like a father

In their minds, the little ones want to fight
In our sad reality, we only know how to kill
In the years we are forged
We forget that we were loved
And we can return home

Many times it's like a flower vase
Where an urn carries the ashes
Delivered into the hands of families
While feelings
Sprout from the pain

To emerge at the foot of the mountain
To feel the faith of those who love
That immense mountain
Before in that intense madness
Today we sleep as Immortals
Once we died
Like mere mortals

The tiger became a Ronin
Before defending the honor of my clans
I forgot my home, along with my wife and children
I grew old with my sword, with my pains and conflicts
With a katana wielded
Now rusty
Trembling in my hands
Unfortunately, I am a ronin

That which I always feared, I felt right ahead
Like a dagger's edge piercing my chest
In that pulsing, tearing feeling
The pain of loss was right there, it was in that instant that I saw
The summit of Fuji and in that instant I was reborn

The Cherry Blossoms
When the feeling overwhelms you
I know I might not return
Just one more time I wish
The reward is often just a dowry
The Cherry Blossoms
Seeing these cherry trees while they bloomed
Below their roots nourished them
How many wounds they awaken in you
The Cherry Blossoms

The tiger became a Ronin
Before defending the honor of my clans
I forgot my home, along with my wife and children
I grew old with my sword, with my pains and conflicts
With a katana wielded
Now rusty
Trembling in my hands
Unfortunately, I am a ronin