瘋癲の我は元には辿れども闇にて見えぬ焚きつけたまへ
Though I, deranged, retrace the steps to the cause, the dark conceals all sight—I beseeche thee, rekindle the flame
紅い目を隠す座頭に見られけり魔除けを渡し震えが沈む
By the blind man, hiding his reddened eyes, I was seen!
A talisman is passed, and a trembling subdues
お酒にて生きてゆく瞽女のお願いは銀のみならず聞く耳かしら
The blind songstress, who subsists on drink, asks not just for silver, but I wonder, a listening ear?
衣さえ着ぬ瘋癲が「嬢さん」と呼ぶや私は笑みにて返す
The madman, wearing not even a robe, calls out “Miss!”
I reply with a smile
聖人は「生きてゆくのは無理」と言い陶片をにて素を釁りけり
“There is no way to keep on living,” said the Saint, and with a pot-shard, he anointed his very own self with blood!
山嶺で初日の出にて新しく蘇りけり女でありぬ
On the high ridge, with the first sunrise of the New Year, alas, I was reborn
indeed, a woman now.
人間を辞めぬあたしは君の顔に噛みタバコの唾を吐きけり
I, who quits not—being human, spit my chewing tobacco at your face
And so it was!