Gondola no Uta (ゴンドラの唄?, "The Gondola Song") is a 1915 song that was popular during Taishō period Japan. Lyrics were written by Isamu Yoshii, melody by Shinpei Nakayama.
Lyrics in Kanji:
いのち短し 恋せよ少女
朱き唇 褪せぬ間に
熱き血潮の 冷えぬ間に
明日の月日の ないものを
いのち短し 恋せよ少女
いざ手をとりて 彼の舟に
いざ燃ゆる頬を 君が頬に
ここには誰れも 来ぬものを
いのち短し 恋せよ少女
波に漂う 舟の様に
君が柔手を 我が肩に
ここには人目も 無いものを
いのち短し 恋せよ少女
黒髪の色 褪せぬ間に
心のほのお 消えぬ間に
今日はふたたび 来ぬものを
In English:
life is brief
fall in love, maidens
before the crimson bloom
fades from your lips
before the tides of passion
cool within you,
for those of you
who know no tomorrow
life is brief
fall in love, maidens
before his hands
take up his boat
before the flush of his cheeks fades
for those of you
who will never return here
life is brief
fall in love, maidens
before the boat drifts away
on the waves
before the hand resting on your shoulder
becomes frail
for those who will never
be seen here again
life is brief
fall in love, maidens
before the raven tresses begin to fade
before the flame in your hearts
flicker and die
for those to whom today
will never return