Die Lorelei
The Lorelei
Vocals: めらみぽっぷ (Meramipop)
Lyrics: RD-Sounds
Arranged by: RD-Sounds
Album: 求 (Motome)
Circle: 凋叶棕 (Diao ye zong)
Event: Reitaisai 12 [RTS12]
Original theme: Deaf to All But the Song [もう歌しか聞こえない]
Requested by: Marisa Nya
Update (23 May 2015): Updated with the missing ‘sung’ lyrics [note (2)].
This song just… works on a number of levels. Of course, ‘The Lorelei’ refers to Mystia Lorelei, but it also refers to the traditional German folksong/legend that her character is (presumably) based on. RD makes the most of this connection – not only does he quote the original poem throughout, he also quotes the song’s melody at the start. I thought it would be cool to quote from an existing translation of the poem when the quotations appear [the bits I bracketed], so I went for the English translation provided by A.Z. Foreman. It seems strange, but they deserve credit for the translation of this song, too! I kind of get the feeling that Mystia’s mocking the original poem, since she messes around with it quite a bit. As usual (?) RD does some things with the Japanese language that I didn’t even know were possible, so let me know if anything needs fixing!
Finally… how would I translate the album title? Given that it’s told from the perspective of youkai (it’s basically RD’s version of Buta-Otome’s ‘Pop’) I’d go with ‘Want.’
Unofficial translation/非公式の英訳
(“I know not if there is a reason why I am so sad at heart…)
Humans are so sad at heart because of their own foolishness～♪”
Though if you say you cannot hear it and pick it up,
Before me, I shall deafen you to all but the song.
I, whose life is small, tiny, and transient,
Do this so I can be born again from this ‘cocoon.’
You shall be born anew,
So long as you comprehend these ‘words.’ (1)
I shall make this song of delight resound!
―No matter how far away, resound! My singing voice pours out, drowning out all but the song!
“…Your soul will be bound by the secret, wondrous power of this song. (This, fair Lorelei has done)～♪” (2)
(“The fairest of maidens is sitting so marvelous up there,)
Rather than stuff like small change, I’ll celebrate the taste of humans～♪”
Though I blind you so you will not block your ears,
Before me, I shall deafen you to all but the song.
I, who have had so many feathers torn off that I am now voiceless,
Do this so I can reclaim my feathers and be reborn…
I won’t ever let anyone stop me
If they try to listen…
O song of confusion, resound!
―Cross over the night and resound! The name of that songstress of legend rests in my body, and if I sing…!
“…This is a renowned, wondrous, magical song. I will not stop singing. (This, fair Lorelei has done)～♪”
I, whose destiny is to vanish without being looked upon by anyone,
Do this so my life can be prolonged through song.
Because now, in this moment,
I am born.
O song of birth, resound!
―All things with life convey that they have life. They cry out that they have been born!
“…Through this song, everyone will be filled with longing and gaze up at the heavens. When they do this, the song of the night sparrow will cover up the sky. (This, fair Lorelei has done)～♪”
Translator’s notes
(1) 歌 (uta, song) is written, but 言葉 (kotoba, words) is spoken.
(2) Though これこそ私の仕業 (kore koso watashi no shiwaza, That’s my doing) is written, ‘Die Lorelei getan,’ a direct quotation from the last line of the German poem, is sung.
Releska 
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