Walk Forward

I recently attended a wonderful concert in Beach Hall on ESU's campus. The Japanese Association Sakura Choir performed there Sunday night. The choir is comprised of Japanese college students. It was formed, as part of ESU's music department, in order to entertain guests at the University's International Food Festival in March of last year. That was the only goal. Then the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan and the students decided to raise money for those afflicted in the homeland by performing for the public.


The performance we enjoyed Sunday night, on the anniversary of the earthquake, was very professional and moving. The music was beautiful. The ability of the performers was amazing. The songs chosen are popular in Japan. They are songs the Japanese people learn as part of their education while growing up. The words of the songs were printed in our program. The students sang them in Japanese. One song, Walk Forward, was also the name of the program. I thought my family would enjoy reading the English translation of that song. I wish my family could have joined me to hear these gifted students perform.

MAE-E
WALK FORWARD
by Kentaro Sato

I remember
Your warm hand.
I remember
Your kind voice.

I remember
Your honest eyes and quiet prayer.

When I close my eyes
I recall the time we spent together,
And the time we sang together

The end of music is not farewell.
As music lives again,
So you will live again and again in my memory.

I remember
A dream you cherished.

I remember
A smile you beamed at tomorrow.

With memories of you in my heart,
One step at a time, I walk forward.
Embracing every day's happiness and sadness,
One step at a time, I walk forward.

One step at a time, I walk forward.