Art Songs of Japan/Butterfly

Butterfly

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This song is sung in nearly all parts of Japan, although it comes from the Province of Izumo. The name “Na” is given to several different kinds of plants, but here probably refers to the Japanese wild mustard.

The pronunciation of Japanese words is not difficult as each vowel forms a syllable, and is always pronounced ä, e̱, ï, ō, u̱.

The Japanese words are very singable, and I would recommend singing this little song through first in English and then in Japanese.

For the benefit of those interested I will give a literal translation of the words in this little poem. I wish to acknowledge the kind assistance of Kenzo Kubota in these notes and translations.

Chocho! Chocho!
Na no ha ni tomaré!
Na no ha ga iyénara,
Té ni tomaré!

Chocho, butterfly.

Na, wild mustard.

no, on.

ha, leaf.

tomaré, light or perch.

iyénara, tired or dislike.

Té, hand.

Using these words we have the literal translation–

Butterfly, Butterfly, light upon the leaf of the wild mustard. If you are tired of the leaf of wild mustard light on my hand.

To Yvonne de Treville

Butterfly
Chō-Chō

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$\new Staff { \time 3/4 \omit Staff.TimeSignature \key f \major \clef treble e'4 a'' }$

Child’s Song
Province of Izumo

Gertrude Ross

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