*** My friend brought me a paper crane, Tsuru from a distant shore. It whispered tales of grief and flame, Of a girl who dreamed no more. *** Tsuru, tsuru, take your flight, Through the day and through the night. Tsuru, tsuru, still you stay, Living sign to light the way. *** She asked the doctor: “Will I see The sun again shine down on me?” He said: “When cranes reach one thousand high, Your wish will lift into the sky.” *** Tsuru, tsuru, take your flight, Through the day and through the night. Tsuru, tsuru, still you stay, Living sign to light the way. *** The girl from Hiroshima’s flame Has left, no thousand cranes to claim. Her final tsuru slipped from her hand, And flew toward a better land. *** Tsuru, tsuru, take your flight, Through the day and through the night. Tsuru, tsuru, still you stay, Living sign to light the way. *** I’ll spread your tiny wings to fly, So gently rising to the sky. Paper crane, you will remain, Like song of life beyond the pain. Let wind will carry you away, Like petal in gentle May. Across the world your flight will be, A living sign of memory. *** Tsuru, tsuru, take your flight, Through the day and through the night. Tsuru, tsuru, still you stay, Living sign to light the way.
