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about
“Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” is a song released by internationally acclaimed, Hawai’i-based recording artist, composer and activist Makana, in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan that occurred on August 6 & 9 (respectively) 1945.
It is composed by Makana and Kayko Tamaki. The recording features a vocal performance by the Kwassui School Girls Choir. The lyrics are bilingual (English and Japanese).
The story of Sadako is world renowned. A native of Hiroshima, she was only 2 years old at the time of the bombing. She miraculously survived and grew into what seemed to be a healthy youngster at the age of 12. One day, while running track and field at school, she collapsed. Doctors determined she had leukemia from exposure to radiation caused by the atomic bomb. While in the hospital, Sadako was inspired by a traditional Japanese belief that said one’s wish would come true if they were to fold 1000 origami paper cranes. While in the hospital, Sadako folded cranes with all her strength. By the end of August 1955, Sadako actually went above and beyond her goal of 1,000 folded cranes-she actually folded a total of 1300 cranes! When Sadako passed, her story reached her town and eventually the entire nation. Hiroshima city honored her with a statue that stands to this day, and Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes has become a children’s story known throughout the world as a tale of hope and peace for a world without the threat of nuclear war.
lyrics
Lyrics:
Sadako was only 2 years old
On the day the atom bomb exploded
In a sea of fire all around
Mother found her baby on the ground
Black rain fell
Mixed with tears
As they fled
Filled with fear
KONO INORI O KIITE
この 祈りを 聞いて
(Listen to this prayer)
TSUBASA O HIROGE
翼を ひろげ
(Spreading its wings)
HEIWA NO SENBAZURU
平和の 千羽鶴
(One thousand paper cranes of peace)
WATASHITACHI NO YUME O NOSETE
私達の 夢を 乗せて
(Carrying our dream)
Sadako grew up a happy child
For her friends she always had a smile
But a silent sickness grew within her
From the day the bomb exploded near her
Now she falls
To the floor
Ten years after
The war
KONO INORI O KIITE
この 祈りを 聞いて
(Listen to this prayer)
TSUBASA O HIROGE
翼を ひろげ
(Spreading its wings)
HEIWA NO SENBAZURU
平和の 千羽鶴
(One thousand paper cranes of peace)
WATASHITACHI NO YUME O NOSETE
私達の 夢を 乗せて
(Carrying our dream)
Gracefully she tries to hide the pain
As her fingers fold a paper crane
Folding cranes until her final hour
As she prays for life with all her power
Sadako
Rest in peace
Help us to
Bring world peace
KONO INORI O KIITE
この 祈りを 聞いて
(Listen to this prayer)
TSUBASA O HIROGE
翼を ひろげ
(Spreading its wings)
HEIWA NO SENBAZURU
平和の 千羽鶴
(One thousand paper cranes of peace)
WATASHITACHI NO YUME O NOSETE
私達の 夢を 乗せて
(Carrying our dream)
KONO INORI O KIITE
この 祈りを 聞いて
(Listen to this prayer)
TSUBASA O HIROGE
翼を ひろげ
(Spreading its wings)
HEIWA NO SENBAZURU
平和の 千羽鶴
(One thousand paper cranes of peace)
WATASHITACHI NO YUME O NOSETE
私達の 夢を 乗せて
(Carrying our dream)
credits
released August 6, 2020
Music by Makana
Lyrics by Makana and Kayko Tamaki
Nihongo Advisors/ Translators:
Aya Nagoshi
Bon Moore
Miyoko Niimi
Yumi Fujii
Chie Takahashi
Annie Bernstein
Special thanks to:
Mr. Yoshiro Yamawaki, Hibakusha, Pledge for Peace Representative, Nagasaki
Masako Toki, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey
Dr. William Potter, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey
Toshiro Kusano, Teacher and Peace Learning Department Advisor, Kwassui School, Nagasaki
Takafumi Iwanaga, Dean, Academic Affairs Division, Choir Director, Kwassui School, Nagasaki
The Students of Kwassui Junior & Senior High School, Kwassui Choir, and Kwassui Peace Club, Nagasaki
Kazuya Okubo, Director at Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum
Ambassador Yasuyoshi Komizo, Chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, Executive Director of Mayors for Peace
Cynthia Lazaroff, Founder of US-Russian Exchange Initiatives, NuclearWakeUpCall.Earth
Original artwork by Chris Lum
Cover design by Makana
Lyric video by Kyle Kosaki
Makana is an internationally acclaimed slack key guitarist, singer, composer, and activist. He has been called: “the
greatest living player” by Esquire magazine; “a dynamic force” by The New York Times; “master of the Hawaiian slack-key guitar” by The Seattle Times. The prestigious National Geographic Society notes that he is “charting a new sonic frontier with deep ties to tradition.”...more
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