Sōran Bushi

So-ran Bushi (ソーラン節) is one of the most famous traditional songs (minyou) in Japan. It was originated by the fishermen of Hokkaidō, the north part of Japan.

So-ran Bushi accompanies the bon dance in many parts of Japan, and it has its own dancing styles that date back generations.

Recently, however, the So-ran dance was reimagined by a high school teacher leading his students. Under this direction, it gained a more modern, faster beat, and it was reinterpreted for more a more modern setting. Students perform "Rock n' Soran Bushi" on their sports day. The latest Soran Bushi dance interpretation has more dynamic choreography and more modernized rhythm than its older counterpart.

Lyrics and Translation

An excerpt "Soran Bushi"

Yaren soran soran Soran soran soran (hai hai!) Oki de kamome no naku koe kikeba Funanori kagyo wa yamerarenu choi

CHORUS(AKA - kakegoe) Yasa e en ya sa dokkoisho (a dokkoisho, dokkoisho!)

Yaren soran... Oyaji tairyo da mukashi to chigau toreta nishin wa ore no mono choi Yasa e en ya...

Yaren soran... Ichi-jo-go-shaku no ro o kogu fune mo horeta anoko nya te mo choi Yase e en ya...

Yaren soran... Tama no suhada ga shibuki ni nureya uwaki kamomega mite sawagu choi Yasa e en ya...

Rough Translation:

Oh!!! Soran, soran, soran soran, soran, soran. (Oh, yeah!) When we hear the jabbering of seagulls on the high seas, we know we can’t give up our fishing lives on the ocean. Put your backs into it! Heave, ho! Heave, ho! (Heave, ho! Heave, ho!)

Oh!!! Soran... Boss, I tell you, the size of this catch of herring is different from all the others. And it's all MINE. Put your backs into it! Heave, ho! Heave, ho! (Heave, ho! Heave, ho!)

Oh!!! Soran... Even if I row four and a half metres, I couldn't get that girl's attention. Put your backs into it! Heave, ho! Heave, ho! (Heave, ho! Heave, ho!)

Oh!!! Soran... A flighty seagull twitters in excitement As it sees my bare skin, glistening with ocean surf. Put your backs into it! Heave, ho! Heave, ho! (Heave, ho! Heave, ho!)