My Parodies

Feathers of The Four Seasons (Shikiori No Hane)

Based on the Japanese folk tale The Crane Wife. 

The soft winter snow falls down to the ground 

Blanketing the mountainside with a gentle white 

Inside a run-down shack in a small village 

Two souls huddle together on a cold winter's night 

"I never will forget the snow that winter day" 

You happily recalled the day that you met me 

Heat rose into my cheeks, painting them a soft red 

So I hid in the comforting shelter of your sleeve 

And with a single breath of joy 

Together with the birds I sang the warm welcome of the new life brought by spring

"You have such a lovely voice, my dear" were the words you said to me 

And that alone gave me more joy than the whole world could ever bring 

"If the day should ever come that I can no longer sing 

Would you still, even then, love me just as you did before?" 

"But of course I would" was your reply as you smiled so gently 

And caressed my cheek with your hand, so kind and warm 

One summer afternoon while working 'neath the leaves 

You collapsed from the illness that had overtaken you 

Our poor married state could never afford 

The special medication that was needed to cure you 

So day after day with increasing haste 

I did nothing but urgently weave at the loom 

I cannot bear to stand by and watch your life 

Like the short-lived autumn leaves fade away too soon 

And as the seasons flow by 

The crickets with their song mark the summer's end like a bell's distant toll 

"You have such beautiful hands, my love" you said as you held them close 

But as they stung, I noticed yours were already growing much too cold 

"If the day should ever come that my hands are no longer fair 

Would you still, even then, love me just as you did before?" 

"But of course I would" was your reply as you coughed into your sleeve 

And I cried silently as you stroked my hands, wounded and sore

Hurry, I must sell all that I can to buy the medicine 

(The gentle breeze of the sunset) 

Can't stop to eat, can't stop to sleep, I must continue working  

(Ruthlessly sways the decaying fruit) 

Just a little more, just a little more before the maple leaves shed

(Until the flame extinguishes) 

Until my hands have become useless, until the feathers are all gone 

"If the day should ever come that I'm no longer a human being 

Would you still, even then, love me just as you did before?" 

The truth comes out that I had feared to give voice to even now 

As softly the final feather falls alone to the ground   

"But of course I would" I said to you with a smile only you could cause 

I promised I would embrace you when you lost the wings with which you flew 

And the crane that had so gracefully taken flight that winter day 

I have never forgotten, to you I will always be true 

And to you I promise my love is yours for all eternity