Flute-playing even of reapers and songs of wood-fellers
Through poets’ verses are known to all the world.
Wonder not to hear among us
The sound of a bamboo flute.
Priest: You are right. Indeed it is as you have told me.
Songs of woodmen and flute-playing of herdsmen…
Reaper: Flute-playing of reapers…
Priest: Songs of wood-fellers…
Reaper: Guide us on our passage through this sad world.
Priest: Song…
Reaper: And dance…
Priest: And the flute…
Reaper: And music of many instruments…
Chorus: These are the pastimes that each chooses to his taste.
Of floating bamboo wood
Many are the famous flutes that have been made;
Gittle Branch and Cicada Cage,
And as for the reaper’s flute,
Its name is Green Leaf;
On the shore of Sumiyoshi
The Korean flute they play.
And here on the shore of Suma
On Stick of the Salt-kilns
The fishers blow their tune.
Priest: How strange it is! The other reapers have all gone home, but you alone stay loitering here. How is that?
Reaper: How is it, you ask? I am seeking for a prayer in the voice of the evening waves. Perhaps you will pray the Ten Prayers for me?
Priest: I can easily pray the Ten Prayers for you, if you will tell me who you are.
Reaper: To tell you the truth—I am one of the family of Lord Atsumori.
Priest: One of Atsumori’s family? How glad I am!
Then the priest joined his hands (he kneels down) and prayed:
