Now & Then Lyrics Translation | The Gourd Ailand | Omeme Tenten

omeme tenten brings us ‘Now & Then’ from their album ‘The Gourd Ailand.’ The song, written by 灯 and composed with Akihiro Shiba and Makoto Hoshino, mixes nostalgia with a touch of frustration. The tune starts with a gentle melody that slowly builds into a more complex rhythm.

Now & Then Lyrics Translation | The Gourd Ailand | Omeme Tenten
Released: October 4, 2023

Now & Then

Omeme Tenten • From “The Gourd Ailand”

Lyricist
灯
Composer
灯, Akihiro Shiba, Makoto Hoshino

The Gourd Ailand’s Now & Then Japanese Lyrics English Translation

灯 writes about a Tokyo that used to be the ocean’s floor and a generation shaped by the seventies. The lyricist mentions, ‘Sequins scatter playfully through the air, so please don’t bother chasing them,’ symbolizing fleeting memories that return when least expected. The words evoke a sense of longing and reflection.

Koko mo mukashi wa umi no soko datta noThis place used to be the bottom of the ocean, a long time ago.
Tiineijaa wa nanajuunen sodachiThe teenagers here were raised in the seventies.
Kimi mo mukashi wa sunao de kawaikatta noYou used to be so sweet and honest back then, too.
Sukkari nobite shimattaBut you’ve grown up completely now.
Kyuujuukyuunen umaretachiThe kids born in ninety-nine.
Mukashi no hanashi tte zurui to omowanaiDon’t you think it’s unfair to keep talking about the past?
Ima anata no hanashi wo kiki ni kita no niEven though I came here to hear about who you are now.
Umare mo sodachi mo saishuubeiki toukyou no anata waYou, born and raised in Tokyo, the final weapon,
Koko ga tokubetsu janai koto kuraidon’t even have the urge to put it into words,
Kotoba ni suru hassou mo naithe fact that this place isn’t anything special.
Watashi mo yogorete shimatta noI’ve ended up getting dirty, too.
Kono utsukushii machi no sei ni shite sukuwareru naraIf blaming this beautiful city is what saves you,
Mou hayaku kaerina yothen you should just go home already.
Mukashi no hanashi shite yurushite hoshii noDo you want to be forgiven by talking about the past?
Ima anata no hanashi wa dou demo ii no niEven though I don’t care about what you’re saying now.
Itazura ni chiru supankooruSequins scatter playfully through the air,
Oikakenaide ageteso please don’t bother chasing them.
Kitto mata sugu ni kaomise ni kuruThey’ll surely come back to show their faces soon,
Anata ga ichiban yowai toki niright when you’re at your weakest.
Mukashi no hanashi tte zurui to omowanaiDon’t you think it’s unfair to keep talking about the past?
Kaeritaku naru toki mo mochiron aru kedoOf course, there are times when I want to go back, too.
Korekara no hanashi nara doko e demo ikeruIf we talk about the future, we can go anywhere.
Tooku made tsuretette watashi mo issho niTake me far away, and I’ll go with you.

Now & Then Music Video

The ‘Now & Then’ lyrics offer a heartfelt reflection on change and the past. Featuring omeme tenten, the song from ‘The Gourd Ailand’ blends gentle melodies with thoughtful words.