Naze yuku no ka?
Nani wo ou no ka?
Keshite yuru ga nai kokoro zashi.
Kichi to deru ka. Kyo to deru no ka.
Mimi wo togi sumasu - yaiba no koe yo.
Michiyuku ha kaze no fuku mama neko jarashi
Nasake Wo sutete fuminarasu
Iza michi wo yukeba miete kuruka
Onore no ashiato furimukuna
Michi wo yukeba koete miseyo
Onore ni makeji to waga michi yo
Te wo kasuhodo himani arazu to
Hitai wo nugue nijurasen
Mae ni habakaru neshita zenitate
Koban wo tenisura mimi wo sasareru
Kamishimeta kiai to katsu no bushi no michi
Hara ga hetyuteha tatakaenu
Iza michi no nakaba taetemiruka
Onore wo kakushite haji wo shiru
Michi no nakaba saredo nakaba
Onore ni jungite shin wo miru
Iza michi wo yukeba miete kuruka
Onore no ashiato furimukuna
Michi wo yuke ba koete miseyo
Onore ni makeji to waga michi yo
Shinjiru saki ni mamoru monoga
Onozu to ashita ni tuitekuru
Michi wo yukeba koete miseyo
Onore ni makeji to waga michi yo
Translation:
Why are you going? What are you chasing?
A strong will that will never waver.
In better or worse,
Sharpen your ears to the voice of the sword.
You have a taste for battle-cries, the path of a warrior
Throw away your pity and trample it flat.
Now, if you walk that path, will you see it?
Don't turn back your footsteps.
When I walk this path, I will try and go beyond it
My path that will not succumb to you.
And a bit more literal translation:
Why are (you) going? What are (you) pursuing?
A will that will not waver, no matter what.
Will a good luck come out? Will a bad luck come out?
Sharpen your ears - the voice of the sword.
(You)'ve taken a taste to 'kiai'* and 'katsu'** of the way of the warrior.
Throw away pity and trample it flat
Now, if (you) walk the path, will (you) see it?
Don't turn back your footsteps.
If (you) walk the path, show (us) beyond it.
My path that will not succumb to you.
