葬 (Hafuri)

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a scene of ominous pronouncements and a gathering of unseen forces. Crows cry out, questioning existence and instilling fear, setting a tone of unease. The repeated calls to "matsurou" (worship or appease) suggest a ritualistic or supplicatory context, with questions about who to honor and what to offer. The imagery shifts from the crows to invocations of "Tenaga" (long-armed) and "Ashinaga" (long-legged) beings, summoning them to the speaker's embrace. This suggests a desire to bring powerful, perhaps supernatural, entities into a personal space. The central tension seems to lie in the contrast between the "nukazukanu hito domo" (those who do not bow) and the speaker's attempt to impose their will or understanding upon them. The lyrics demand that those who don't submit be told the "kotowari" (reason or truth), implying a forceful dissemination of knowledge or decree. This is further amplified by the second chorus, which invokes wind and darkness, calling for offerings of "kazahana" (flower petals) to those sinking in a "shizumiyuku" (sinking or perishing) in a dark, deep lake. This creates a duality of summoning and lamenting, of imposing will and mourning loss. A striking element is the post-chorus outburst: "Kami ga wataritamau kono tsuraraji ni / Okite tagae semete iru wa tare zo!" This translates to something like, "On this path that the gods have crossed, who is it that rises up and attacks?" This question injects a sense of defiance and confusion, as if the speaker's actions or the unfolding events are being met with resistance from an unexpected source, possibly divine or supernatural. The repetition of the crow's cries bookending the song reinforces the pervasive sense of foreboding and the cyclical nature of these pronouncements and questions. Ultimately, the lyrics are effective through their evocative, almost primal imagery and their sense of unresolved tension. The invocation of mythical-sounding beings and the stark contrast between submission and defiance create a powerful, unsettling atmosphere. The final outburst leaves the listener with a sense of mystery and conflict, questioning the nature of the forces at play and the resistance they face, making the emotional impact linger long after the words fade.