by Takesada
Translation by Shōtarō Kimura (b. 1912) and by Charlotte M. A. Peake
Hearts and Swords
Language: English  after the Japanese (日本語)
The metal of they treasure, Warrior Land Is forged today as it was forged of old Hot on the anvil; but his blood goes cold And his hair crisps who takes it in his hand. Costlier treasure, too, than swords of steel, Land of the Rising Sun is ever thine, Treasure of hearts that glow with the divine Ardour a patriot alone can feel. Treading white swords beneath their eager feet Thy sons press storming onward, while the light That plays about their whirling blades doth fright The trembling mountains. These find battle sweet. These find fierce joy in life's extremity, Land of the Gods, far rather would they sheathe Their falchions in their own red hearth than breathe One hour dishonoured, -- or dishonour Thee.
Confirmed with Sword and Blossom Poems. From the Japanese. Done into English Verse by Shotaro Kimura and Charlotte M. A. Peake. Illustrated by Japanese Artists, Tokyo, T. Hasegawa, Publisher.
Authorship:
- by Shōtarō Kimura (b. 1912), "Hearts and Swords", appears in Sword and Blossom Poems. From the Japanese, in Sword Songs [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
- by Charlotte M. A. Peake , "Hearts and Swords", appears in Sword and Blossom Poems. From the Japanese, in Sword Songs [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Japanese (日本語) by Takesada [text unavailable]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Granville Ransome Bantock, Sir (1868 - 1946), "Hearts and Swords", 1915 [ voice and piano ], from Sword and Blossom Poems I: Sword Songs, no. 1 [sung text not yet checked]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2021-04-21
Line count: 16
Word count: 125