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A simple, classical-folk song about the overladen Persimmon trees I see every fall in my adopted country of Japan. I supposed I feel an affinity with them: like my 100s of songs, so much fruit just falls to the ground un-tasted. Translated into Japanese by Shiga radio host Eriha Matsumoto.
Maryse Dumas: Bamboo Flute
Aya Nadao: Cello
Roman Rhodes: Guitar, Vocals, Piano

Lyrics

Persimon Tree  柿の木
© Roman Rhodes, 2019, Translation © Eriha Matsumoto, 2019

柿の木、 秋の日
実もたわわ目をやる人はなし
青空に映える色
熟れた色枝に残り

Persimmon tree, you’re just like me:
So much fruit that no one eats.
Against the blue sky, so pretty to see:
Ripe orange fruit left on the tree.

Come November your fruit lies forgotten:
Fallen to the ground where it lies rotten.
Black snaky branches against a sunset so red
You gave so much, you look like the dead.
Halloween is over, or did you forget,
Persimmon tree?

霜月に思う人なく
実は朽ちて地に落ちて
燃える夕日焦げた枝
捧げては死ぬほどに
祭りは終わり後の祭りか?
柿の木

冬去ればまた芽吹き 
緑の若葉種のなる日を
But come the spring you’ll bloom wise
Young green leaves kiss grey skies.
I hope some day your beauty be well known.
Below your full branches may your seeds be sown.

Well persimmon tree. 柿の 木
Just like me 秋の日
Persimmon tree. 柿の 木