As ‘t myn tiid is

Gurbe Douwstra is a Frisian musician from Drachten, the Netherlands. I ran into one of his songs on a social network, and it touched me. This is because I have lived the first half of my life in Friesland, a province in the Netherlands, with its own officially recognized language, which we proudly call Frysk. While I don’t speak it, it is still close to me.

By no means am I going anywhere – I like to think that I still have the vigor of life in me. But as the text is beautiful, I wanted to share it with those unfamiliar to Frysk. So here is my attempt to translate his song “as ‘t myn tiid is” from Frysk into English and Japanese.

Gurbe Douwstra's song in Frisian
Gurbe Douwstra’s song in Frisian

When it’s my time

When you miss me, have a need of me
or look for guidance, when you daren’t go further
then close your eyes, and stand still for a while
look in your heart, and know that I’ll be there

Don’t be sad, it is as it goes
all that lives, will one day pass away
But just believe me, I mean it sincerely
no single life, long or short, is for naught

So when it’s my time, grieve not too long for me
I’m not far away, I’ll always be near
I’m in your being, I’m in your blood … you’re my blood
Never forget this, my child, and everything will be alright

僕の寿命が来ているなら

僕のことを恋しく想う時、困った時
僕の指導を望む時、道を迷う時
その時は目を閉じて、しばらく足を止めて
僕のことをこころの奥に見つけなさい

悲しまないで、こうなるべきだから
生きとし生けるものがいつか去るんだ
ただ、本気で云わせてこれを信じて
短いも長いも無駄な人生なんかない

僕の寿命が来ているなら、嘆かないでほしい
遠いところじゃなくて、すぐそばにいるさ
僕は君のこころにいるんだ。。。君は僕の一部さ
最愛なる子よ、これを一生忘れるな
何もかも大丈夫になるさ

What are your thoughts?