Sōran Bushi

Sōran Bushi (ソーラン節) is one of the most famous traditional songs (min'yō) in Japan. It is a Japanese sea shanty that is said to have been first sung by the fishermen of Hokkaidō, northern Japan.

Sōran Bushi accompanies the bon dance in many parts of Japan, and it has its own dancing styles that date back generations. The dance moves depict ocean waves, fishermen dragging nets, pulling ropes and lifting luggage over their shoulders. This dance is taught in many schools across Japan as part of the curriculum.

During regular intervals of the dance, the words: "DOKKOISHO!" "DOKKOISHO!" "SORAN!" "SORAN!" Are called. Those words were used in the past to encourage the fisherman during their work.

Lyrics and Translation

An excerpt from "Sōran Bushi"

Japanese (Rōmaji): Yāren sōran sōran Sōran sōran sōran (hai hai!) Oki de kamome no naku koe kikeba Funanori kagyō wa yamerarenu choi CHORUS (AKA - kakegoe) Yasa e en ya sa dokkoisho (a dokkoisho, dokkoisho!) Yāren sōran... Oyaji tairyō da mukashi to chigau toreta nishin wa ore no mono choi Yāren sōran... Ichi-jō-go-shaku no ro o kogu fune mo horeta ano go nya te mo choi Yāren sōran... Tama no suhada ga shibuki ni nurerya uwaki kamome ga mite sawagu choi

Rough English Translation: Oh!!! Soran, soran, soran soran, soran, soran. (yes, yes!) When we hear the jabbering of seagulls on the high seas, we know we can’t give up our fishing lives on the ocean. CHORUS 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. Oh!!! Soran... Even if I row four and a half metres, I couldn't get that girl's attention. Oh!!! Soran... A flighty seagull twitters in excitement As it sees my bare skin, glistening with ocean surf.