Shizuka Kudo sings ‘Sea Swallow,’ a powerful ballad written and composed by 中島みゆき. The poet writes lyrics that mix resilience with vulnerability, while the musician crafts a melody that mirrors the struggle against fate. Together, they bring a story of soaring above life’s challenges.
Released: June 28, 2025
Sea Swallow
Shizuka Kudo
Lyricist
中島みゆき
Composer
中島みゆき
Sea Swallow Meaning & Lyrics (Shizuka Kudo)
中島みゆき describes a journey of survival and self-discovery, using imagery of ocean waves and rocky shores. A key line, ‘Loneliness is a set of wings, a pair that starts to fly without being told,’ shows how solitude can fuel strength. The songwriter paints a vivid picture of finding connection in the harshest places.
Gakeppuchi no unmei karaFrom the very edge of a precipice of fate,
Toki wo kette gyakufuu ni mukatte tobitatsuI kick off from time and take flight against the headwind.
Nagurikakatte kuruThe sea comes striking at me,
Umi no tsubute wo mune ni ukete tobitatsuBut I take those ocean stones to my chest and soar away.
Sonna ni made shite doushite soko niWhy do you go to such lengths to stay there,
Sonna ni made shite nigezu ni iru noWhy do you endure it all without ever running away?
Atatakakute kirayaka na wana wo miyuita raOnce I saw through that warm and glittering trap,
Ikeru saki wa tsumitasa no mukouThe only place left to go was beyond the coldness.
Zubunure de tobikomu iwa no neguraDrenched to the bone, I dive into a rocky roost,
Watashitachi wa sonna fuu ni shika ae nakattaFor that was the only way people like us could ever meet.
Kirikiri to kooritsuku garasu karaFrom the glass that’s freezing with a piercing creak,
Nakanu hodo wo manandeI’ve learned how not to cry,
Uchiyoseru tekii no awa karaAnd from the foam of the crashing hostility,
Iki wo nusumu tabidachiI steal a breath and begin my journey.
Tsuyoku narenakatta okubyou da monoI couldn’t become strong because I’m a coward,
Tsuyoku narenakatta asahaka da monoI couldn’t become strong because I’m so shallow.
Nakikaketara kagami no jibun ni iu no yoWhen I’m about to cry, I tell my reflection in the mirror,
Ii kimi da wa tte‘It serves you right.’
Sabishisa wa tsubasa kisezu shite tobishajimeru tsubasaLoneliness is a set of wings, a pair that starts to fly without being told,
Watashitachi wa sonna fuu ni shika ae nakattaFor that was the only way people like us could ever meet.
Uchuu ni kogareru made mo naiThere’s no need to long for the vast cosmos,
Futari ga sude ni uchuu da karaBecause the two of us are already a universe of our own.
Nakikaketara kagami no jibun ni iu no yoWhen I’m about to cry, I tell my reflection in the mirror,
Ii kimi da wa tte‘It serves you right.’
Sabishisa wa tsubasa kisezu shite tobishajimeru tsubasaLoneliness is a set of wings, a pair that starts to fly without being told,
Watashitachi wa sonna fuu ni shika ae nakattaFor that was the only way people like us could ever meet.
Watashitachi wa sonna fuu ni shika ae nakattaThat was the only way we could’ve ever found each other.
What does ‘Sea Swallow’ mean? The lyrics explore the theme of rising above adversity through love and self-acceptance. Shizuka Kudo delivers the song in a way that makes it both personal and universal.
![Sea Swallow Lyrics [English Translation] — Shizuka Kudo](https://lyricsraag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/sea-swallow-shizuka-kudo-translation.webp)