ROMANTICS

ROMANTICS
1. Secret MADE Lips
2. TIGHTER and TIGHTER
3. Senbonzakura
4. Namba War Cry
5. labyrinth
6. Love-Drunk Springtime Confessional
7. Flower Arrangement
8. Pillowbook
9. Lantern Festival
10. Daybreak Traveler
11. Valkyrie
12. BEAST

Secret MADE Lips

(verse 1)

paint this, ink that

tear traditional calligraphy off the wall

writing words with my finger

into the palm of my hand

and eating, devouring them so they're never spoken

I see, I seek

a sparkling antithesis to piety

one that will let me voice my thoughts

like how wisteria blooms

and unbounds the knots in oak trees

oh baby, I'll whisper behind my decorative sleeve

a secret no one in this devoted house is aware of

oh baby, I'll curse and you'll be shocked

then grow to love the madness of it, wa ah ah ah ah

oh baby, I'm taking ornaments out of my hair

crushing my refinement

rubbing off my makeup while on a high

oh baby, this girl finally became a woman

just to me

(chorus)

say it loud and clear

anger flows like a rushing river

truth stands as towering as mountains high

take this pledged vow

you're just adding numbers to wounds

enumerating our lives

clarity is as pure as ocean air is all around

I won't close my mouth

my tongue became like the spring wind on fire

burning this life

cleaning out all the webs and lies

giving my failures more tries

the secret on my lips has finally been told

(end chorus)

(verse 2)

hands on mechanisms, unlocking

I'm opening my secret room

letting free all the

tongue biters and trapped demons

pounded under fire into my body

slicing at me with a naginata

let them bloom in pale moonlight

as carefree as a pink lotus

getting drunk on all the simple pleasures

life has always offered only to you

oh Mother, forgive the oni

that have possessed me

they finally conquered me in the night

oh Father, protect me with

the blade you forged of steel

wa ah ah ah ah

oh baby, out of the light

into the pitch dark

once let loose and freed

there is no taming it

oh baby, there's no holding back

these sacred words

just to me

(chorus)

say it loud and clear

anger flows like a rushing river

truth stands as towering as mountains high

take this pledged vow

you're just adding numbers to wounds

enumerating our lives

clarity is as pure as ocean air is all around

I won't close my mouth

my tongue became like the spring wind on fire

burning this life

cleaning out all the webs and lies

giving my failures more tries

the secret on my lips has finally been told

(end chorus)

(bridge)

it's about time

in fact, I think it's a little past due

a story with no end

because it's brand new

farther, farther

this feeling became a voice all on its own

farther, farther

I brought shame on my family

(chorus)

say it proud and ever-clear

take my hand as I

lead us one by one, through by through

the hell of every pity

now that the secret's out, there is no return

you can never take it back to

peaceful halcyon days

you've tried so many ways

you can't stop this emancipating

time to give up yet?

time to give up yet?

I think I saw the white flag raised

(flowers will bloom

if you please

in the place

on the battlefield where I fought you

good morning

and good night, sweet dreams

I'm walking

on the path of so many universal truths)

(end chorus)

TIGHTER and TIGHTER

(verse 1)

hoy! 

hoy! hoy! hoy! ya!

hoy! hoy! hoy! ya!

hoy! hoy! hoy! ya!

hoy! hoy! hoy! ya!

no more making mountains out of countless grains of sand

now that I've become the wisest in all the land

once more, oh oh oh oh

make a cup of tea

drink sake under starlight

I found meaning in the spring

and not just in victories

tranquility is washing over

all defeats I had against you

(chorus)

now that what's been chained

solemnly remained

and finally unchained

the firefly holding my soul

can take me straight to heaven

boy, I hope you prayed with your last breath

because we white doves are leaving

our hurt in the past

yeah

(end chorus)

(verse 2)

hoy! hoy! hoy! ya!

hoy! hoy! hoy! ya!

hoy! hoy! hoy! ya!

hoy! hoy! hoy! ya!

you locked swords for a geisha in her spring

took her youth away

clipped her wings to keep her from soaring

now it's all memories, woah oh oh oh

when times were lonely and confusing

only one person held out his warrior's hand

for me to take

my strategist through this battle

he wanted to cut you down when he was able

tighter, tighter

(chorus)

now that what's been chained

solemnly remained

and finally unchained

the firefly holding my soul

can take me straight to heaven

boy, I hope you prayed with your last breath

because we white doves are leaving

our hurt in the past

yeah

(end chorus)

(bridge)

it's out of his fragile hands now

she's free in the sky to

sing woes

dream more

love most

all while soaring

(chorus)

now that what's been chained

solemnly remained

and finally unchained

my soul butterflies around the clouds of heaven

forced to always give

no more taking

only reclaiming my emotion

justice is finally offered

and with spread white wings

sure, sure, sure

I can fly like I did so many years ago

inhibitions let go, take back what I know

sure, sure, sure, sure

now that what's been chained

solemnly remained

and finally unchained

the firefly holding my soul

can take me straight to heaven

boy, I hope you prayed with your last breath

because we white doves are leaving

our hurt in the past

hoy! hoy! hoy! ya!

hoy! hoy! hoy! ya!

hoy! hoy! hoy! ya!

hoy! hoy! hoy! ya!

(end chorus)

Senbonzakura

(verse 1)

senbonzakura, covered by the night

I can't hear your voice

in the dark out of sight

the indigo sky faraway lullaby

may the eternal light bless this place

dauntless revolution

countless innovation

romantics surrounded by endless motives

a nation of antiwar

a movement with steadfast momentum

count all the thousand ways

single, double, triple 

strike fast, dodge slow

on the open highway

with the burning flame fueling your heart

young boys

young girls

samurai warriors

in a world that's so fleeting

(chorus)

senbonzakura, covered by the night

I can't hear your voice

it's the feast of a beast

locked in a steel cage

look down from that guillotine

I can't hear the crescent song of those with grief

send fears off with the wind carrying a maple leaf

it's a song that will carry on forever

the indigo sky faraway lullaby

may the eternal light bless this place

(end chorus)

(verse 2)

veterans as strong as newcomers

prime newcomers inventing legends

processions of a courtesan enlightenment

the heat beneath your feet propels you and welcomes you

when the saints go marching in

one, two, and three

Zenko Gate, pass through

peace and exorcism

for a hundred years

let's see no denouncement

standing at the very apex

in between the applauding

(chorus)

senbonzakura, covered by the night

I can't hear your voice

it's the feast of a beast

locked in a steel cage

look down from that guillotine

I can't hear the crescent song of those with grief

send fears off with the wind carrying a maple leaf

it's a song that will carry on forever

the indigo sky faraway lullaby

may the eternal light bless this place

(end chorus)

(bridge)

strike fast, dodge slow

on the open highway

with the burning flame fueling your heart

young boys

young girls

samurai warriors

in a renaissance that's so fleeting

(chorus)

senbonzakura, covered by the night

I can't hear your voice

it's the feast of a beast

locked in a steel cage

look down from that guillotine

senbonzakura, covered by the night

you will sing while I will be dancing

it's the feast of a beast

locked in a steel cage

saa, may the eternal light bless this place

(end chorus)

Namba War Cry

(verse 1)

maybe next time you won't be self-righteous

you'll sit down and enjoy my banquet

so criminal it felt like justice

crying foul then wiping off your fingerprints

you only live once, so you want to live right

you pray to your gods, you do a daily cleanse

is it all only on the surface of the water?

reflects

you and your band of thieves

are drowning and you're not sure how

keep your head above the clouds

act like you don't know

your actions

(chorus)

if you wish to fight a battle of words with me

you'll lose everytime because I cut deep with a razor steel tongue

if you wish to knock me down a peg or two

better start saying "good morning" to the rising sun

because you'll have to get up early

like a war cry

(end chorus)

(verse 2)

since falling and rising again

I've worn nothing but silk

you challenge the empress

I clap my folding fan shut and rise up

you're verbal swordplay

and I'm a tea ceremony

always confusing purity

for dirty honesty

what do you hide?

why are you always the shadow?

never the sword-drawn aggressor

but always the ninja victim

I fall like cherry blossoms

you're blooming

same old romantic spring story

touching, touching

you only pick their side because they're not true allies

(chorus)

if you wish to fight a battle of words with me

you'll lose everytime because I cut deep with a razor steel tongue

if you wish to knock me down a peg or two

better start saying "good morning" to the rising sun

because you'll have to get up early

like a war cry

(end chorus)

(bridge)

quick to judge, first to go to war

you have no idea what's at stake because you're drugged

we could have be friends because we're similarly aged

I'll pour another drink for your ghost after your defeat

your memory will live with me just like you did

please retreat

(chorus)

you haven't realized I can't be cut

even if defeated, I still rise up

do you think this is the first time

I've faced a setback

I've already got battle plans drawn up in my head

if you wish to fight then bring your best

I don't care if you're weak, do your worst

try not to cut below the waist

if you hurt them, then I'll cut off your face

you'll just be a disgrace

if you wish to fight a battle of words with me

you'll lose everytime because I cut deep with a razor steel tongue

if you wish to knock me down a peg or two

better start saying "good morning" to the rising sun

because you'll have to get up early

like a war cry

(end chorus)

labyrinth

(verse 1)

check on me, I'm not feeling so well

feeling lost

why am I down when I should be high?

I'm losing my mind

a sickness of the heart

that has no cure

out of my head and on the top of Mt. Fuji

the slope I'm climbing

never has any, never has any

goal post at the top

out of my head

and I'm not faking

I always feel so lost

(chorus)

my mind is a puzzle that's lost in a labyrinth

a problem that can't be solved

close it behind the shoji

words are worth about as much as pennies

only one person can tell the smiles I'm faking

I'll go to bed and try again in the morning

he holds my hand, and I feel as if I tower like an oak

(end chorus)

(verse 2)

check me out, I'm fleeing

through a deep forest

it's one you can't see

the branches are anxiety

I don't speak my thoughts

no one wants to hear how they're loud and clear

even the ring of a bell is comforting

the music of life can be a ballad or dance

don't mind me, don't mind me

don't mind me, I'm just existing

walk the bridge

with a magic

that's never been seen again since

soul to soul

eye to eye

wrist to wrist

your hand in mine

I guess it's about time

to say good night

why don't you stay with me tonight?

(chorus)

you're the answer to a troublesome woman

who is nothing but problems for you

she tries not to be a burden

and she tries to relieve your woes

you know, right?

tears splash like fireworks on her table

decorated with tea cups filled with coffee

she never shows weakness

except to the person who gives her strength

(end chorus)

(bridge)

wow, wow, wow

wow, wow, wow

she saw a fragile heart

wrapped it in the sleeves of her kimono

took it home and healed its wounds

when he sought it out, she returned it

but he wondered why she even bothered

then he realized she's stronger than he knows

others see her as a pebble

but to him she's a temple

some say it's a mere legend or myth

but the love he gave me is real

someday I'll find a way to repay his kind givings

hold up the mirror, the sword cuts me

the jewel around my neck

is love's symbol

(chorus)

my mind is a puzzle that's lost in a labyrinth

a problem that can't be solved

close it behind the shoji

words are worth about as much as pennies

only one person can tell the smiles I'm faking

I'll go to bed and try again in the morning

he holds my hand, and I feel as if I tower like an oak

(end chorus)

Love-Drunk Springtime Confessional

(verse 1)

on the night of our everlasting nuptial

our lives weren't the only thing arranged

who are these two rings in an ouroboros loop?

refreshed like higanabana in spring

in the depths of our paper house

under the light of an oil lamp

I perform a dance I composed for you

sadness in the shrine

leads to weakness of the heart

I feel wobbly in my legs

I didn't expect such devotion

(chorus)

I don't mind, I don't mind

feeling giddy, I don't mind

I can be his wife as long as he's my thoughtful husband

anyone, anyone

to anyone that will listen

I'm rambling, bragging, punctuating on about my man

I don't mind, I don't mind

hope you don't mind, I don't mind

I feel as reborn as the sunlight in the April morn

who are you? I don't know

but I want more

he's the spectacular, stupendous, fantastic man that is mine

(end chorus)

(verse 2)

lantern light at the festival

cherry blossoms at the bottom of the glass I'm drinking

carry me home in your arms

your katana in between your back and my chest

I know you care

because you're worried you'll drop me

but even if you did

I won't die because I overdosed on living

like a haiku you've composed

I'm not sure if I should laugh or cry

we call this place home

where children's feet are stomping

if I were to redo it all

I wouldn't be nervous and stammering

(chorus)

I don't mind, I don't mind

sound reasoning, I don't mind

I'll be the best wife in Amaterasu's cosmos

who even dares? let us go

I'll fight you over him

because I'm crazy, dazed, oopsie daisy, sorry, loving with all my might

don't do that, don't do that

that look in his eye, don't do that

how can sit on my tatami when you're looking fine?

I'm tripping, slipping, sloping, catching myself falling in love

(end chorus)

(bridge)

I'm a woman who needs a deep breath

maybe even take two in this night air

does he even know he's that good-looking?

I'm sure every villager is talking

about how he's such a warrior

(chorus)

I don't mind, I don't mind

sound reasoning, I don't mind

I'll be the best wife in Amaterasu's cosmos

who even dares? let us go

I'll fight you over him

because I'm crazy, dazed, oopsie daisy, sorry, loving with all my might

I don't mind, I don't mind

feeling giddy, I don't mind

I can be his wife as long as he's my thoughtful husband

anyone, anyone

to anyone that will listen

I'm rambling, bragging, punctuating on about my man

I don't mind, I don't mind

hope you don't mind, I don't mind

I feel as reborn as the sunlight in the April morn

who are you? I don't know

but I want more

he's the spectacular, stupendous, fantastic man that is mine

(end chorus)

Flower Arrangement

(verse 1)

if I had a garden

I'd have a rose of every color

the table has been set

the door of my heart open

what I thought was an ending

was a new story's beginning

even when I wasn't sure at all

when I thought nobody wanted to ever see me

you're the one that had a smile on his bearded face

no words needed when you touch like that

no need for courtship and no pleasantries

people in the village always said

sometimes it just works out and there's no need for doubt

it's like seeing the moon all day

the ebb and flow of attraction was something surreal

when did you know you loved me?

"I knew as soon as we met"

(verse 2)

when these tears are flowing

you come in protecting

without asking a single question

you just need my word

with two strong arms

and a brain of iron

you built us a house that weathers any storm

so a few years after my decent

you picked me up and made my dreams ascend

and I planted that garden

roses ivory, blood, and everything in between

my passion bloomed in the sitting room

when you were tired but you still gave me your best smile

I said a joke and I got a look and a sigh

a folk tale whispered between us at dusk

nothing is ever serious in our world

except my love for you that never ebbs and only flows

(chorus)

why say with words that you can convey with a touch?

why take the most when you don't need that much?

you know I'm never giving up on anything

you accepted that fate and yet

we both want to be the best at what we do

top of our game and number one in the field

making gold out of whatever life hands you

a flower arrangement of pain and happy

(end chorus)

Pillowbook

(verse 1)

how long did I spend baring fangs in a jail?

sinking in my dripping claws into iron

gazing through life with red-spider lily glasses

observing but never being involved

dancing mirrored moves but only behind closed shutters

with my grace, elegances, pure blood, and breed

the clan would rather I perish

than run away with a traveling samurai

I'd flee into the forest with him

as he makes sense

and raise a family

(chorus)

I want to be the only evidence of God you're finding

on the planet filled with things that are disgusting

I was once alive and now I'm nothing more than a ghost

living vicariously through things that only end

(end chorus)

(verse 2)

the pillowbook of a noblewoman

who ran off with a ronin

but was dragged back with a cry

yo, why is everything I touch killed in front of my face?

I pour love, I pour love into a corpse

of something that once held breath

the one thing that understood me

is the one person that I lost

surely it's a bad dream, it must

break life

(chorus)

I want to be the only evidence of God you're finding

on the planet filled with things that are disgusting

I was once alive and now I'm nothing more than a ghost

living vicariously through things that only end

(end chorus)

(bridge)

(you put me in a cell

why's that?

is my freedom too mistfortunate?

are you afraid I'll embarrass)

everyone, everything

anything I can see with my eye

this was your solution

and it just invoked my anger

the wrath of my heart

is something that can't be kept

ho ho ho ho ho ho

ho ho ho ho ho ho

ho ho ho ho ho ho

ho ho ho ho ho ho

fangs in your neck (yeah)

claws cut your wrist (oh)

draining life like what all you took

don't mind me (no)

I'm just existing (no)

my black hair's a mess

I'm cutting this silk off and running free

breaking out, just try to stop me

(chorus)

I want to be the only evidence of God you're finding

on the planet filled with things that are disgusting

I was once alive and now I'm nothing more than a ghost

living vicariously through things that only end

I want to be the only evidence of God you're finding

on the planet filled with things that are disgusting

I was once alive and now I'm nothing more than a ghost

living vicariously through things that only end

(end chorus)

Lantern Festival

(verse 1)

yo-ah!

おいさ よいやさ（あなたと思って）
おいさ よいやさ（お茶屋さんへと）
おいさ よいやさ（今日も迎えた）
おいさ よいやさ（あんさんのもと）

I guess I've been hiding every dark emotion behind a noh mask

obsession took life of its own

wore my hairpins and clothes

occupy my thoughts when I'm alone

the oil lamp blew out suddenly

I wouldn't mind being eaten by the night

as long as you're the one that's haunting me

oh yeah

(chorus)

isn't it obvious?

can't you feel the bloodlust drip off me

when you're in the vicinity

or even just the unnatural breath of a back alley

in any given shadow?

おいさ よいやさ（あなたと思って）
おいさ よいやさ（お茶屋さんへと）
おいさ よいやさ（今日も迎えた）
おいさ よいやさ（あんさんのもと）

(end chorus)

(verse 2)

I stalk you on the streets of Kyoto, I'm surrounding

the player of my unfair game, unfortunately

the high stakes I'm betting

won't get me far at all, yeah

is it dramatic theater

or just a silhouette in your blind spot?

what's the role you play?

how about you be Genji

and I'll be Murasaki Shikibu

but the tone will be scary

(chorus)

isn't it obvious?

can't you feel the bloodlust drip off me

when you're in the vicinity

or even just the unnatural breath of a back alley

in any given shadow?

(end chorus)

(bridge)

I bet you won't come to my festival

you can take part of me or have it all

I'm dying for this sun

and escaping the depths of hell with demons following me

おいさ よいやさ（あなたと思って）
おいさ よいやさ（お茶屋さんへと）
おいさ よいやさ（今日も迎えた）
おいさ よいやさ（あんさんのもと）

I'm inviting you for a game

but you don't want to play with me at all

sick and twisted, it's all the same

still, you leave me to bleed out

stab me in the heart while I'm weakened

under lantern light

now I'm just a past silhouette

I'm a woman who will take any risk

just to watch you as you watch fireworks

just when you think I'm dead

I come right back

the most forbidden emotion called love

makes me revive

I've got an idea in my head

and I've got to let it all out

(chorus)

isn't it obvious?

can't you feel the bloodlust drip off me

when you're in the vicinity

or even just the unnatural breath of a back alley

in any given shadow?

I bet you won't come to my festival

you can take part of me or have it all

I'm dying for this sun

and escaping the depths of hell with demons following me

I'm inviting your for a game

but you don't want to play with me at all

sick and twisted, it's all the same

still, you leave me to bleed out

stab me in the heart while I'm weakened

under lantern light

under the lantern light

(end chorus)

Daybreak Traveler

(verse 1)

ohh, where's my traveler?

land or sea?

through mist you...

surely my heart sounded to you like a taiko drum

was it spring when you said you'd leave and return?

my fear only crossed the bridge during the midnight sun

envisioning what roads you're taking

during the day I paint or practice my calligraphy

wandering through thoughts of you

do you have heat from a flame

and food in your belly?

are you hurt, are you alone or with a cortesan

(chorus)

is it the thunder approaching

or is it just you?

the rain that will finally end this drought

the four seasons passed

so I created a fifth

did you see your favorite god or goddess?

are you on a boat or horseback?

traveling between land and sea

setting aside time to find answers you seek

I'm still here without changing a thing

your home is in these arms

(end chorus)

Valkyrie

(verse 1)

I wanted to strike out like serpent

I was hell bent on hurting you

perhaps we crossed swords in the old days

jealously consumed us or something else

the world wants to pit us apart

but after coming to an understanding

I don't want that

always feeling like we have to be better than men

I'm beginning to think I'm not superior to you

you protect your own

I worship mine

you stay to the west, and I'll guard the east

(chorus)

light shines on the foundation

of friendship that will never end

we may throw insults

but it's the root of respect mutally

you spread your wings

I ready my dragon's flame

the world isn't big enough for us both

but we still give them the fires of hell

(end chorus)

(verse 2)

two high-ranking courtesans of the same house

beauty, talent, tenacity are needed to be successful

my popularity threatens your position

let's work together instead of against each other

and if I ever find myself victim to an insidious plot

I know you won't hold the knife

but will know who

the one person that I admire

the one woman who understands my desires

(chorus)

light shines on the foundation

of friendship that will never end

we may throw insults

but it's the root of respect mutally

you spread your wings

I ready my dragon's flame

the world isn't big enough for us both

but we still give them the fires of hell

(end chorus)

(bridge)

I will never make them send you away

I found love in a man's arms

so you win this war, valkyrie

I forefit to you

and all you adore

(chorus)

light shines on the foundation

of friendship that will never end

we may throw insults

but it's the root of respect mutally

you spread your wings

I ready my dragon's flame

the world isn't big enough for us both

but we still give them the fires of hell

I will never make them send you away

I will never make them send you away

(end chorus)

BEAST

(verse 1)

the enemy bested me just once

and I showed fear

for the first time in my life

it consumed me

enveloped what's mine

chewed me up till I was reborn

you look at me, and I look in the mirror

we see two different figures

the village girl you fell in love with became a daimyo

it's been a long road

(chorus)

I'm hunting like a predator ready to sink in its teeth

I'm full of unbridled emotion

an ambition like no lady has ever been allowed to feel

these are no longer words but just feral growls

what was once a gentle lady became a beast

passion became pain

pain became pleasure

pleasure became a win

(end chorus)

(verse 2)

you sit across from me, we're debating

is a woman's thirst truly a monstrosity?

I can't hear you over my own transcendence

I'll burn vulnerability into ash

and rise like a phoenix

into burning skies

hard as stone, white as bone

drying up ever river

on a walk through nature

(chorus)

I'm taunting like a predator ready to lick her claws

I'm starting a modern revolution

lighting up the cobalt sky like a firework

you realize there's no hope anymore

a beast of a lady that strikes sharp like a hawk

sadness became despair

despair became hope

hope became fear

(end chorus)

(bridge)

passion became pain

pain became pleasure

pleasure became a win

sadness became despair

despair became hope

hope became fear

(chorus)

I'm hunting like a predator ready to sink in its teeth

I'm full of unbridled emotion

an ambition like no lady has ever been allowed to feel

these are no longer words but just feral growls

what was once a gentle lady became a beast

passion became pain

pain became pleasure

pleasure became a win

(end chorus)