松浦川七瀬の淀は淀むとも我れは淀まず君をし待たむ
maturagapa
nanase no yodo pa
yodomu tomo
ware pa yodomazu
kimo wo si matamu |
Though Matsura River’s
Many flows
May calm,
I will not hesitate, but
Ever wait for you… |
遠つ人松浦の川に若鮎釣る妹が手本を我れこそ卷かめ
topotu pito
matura no kapa ni
wakayu turu
imo ga tamoto wo
ware koso makame |
Folk far away
On Matsura River
Catching sweetfish sprats;
My darling girl, upon your sleeve
I would rest my head… |
Ōtomo no Tabito
松浦川川の瀬光り鮎釣ると立たせる妹が裳の裾濡れぬ
maturagapa
kap no se pikari
ayu turu to
tataseru imo ga
mo no suso nurenu |
“At Matsura River
From the rushing waters shining
Sweetfish I will catch,”
So says my darling, standing there
Her dress-hem drenched! |
Ōtomo no Tabito
'Simply moving and elegant'