Um, since lots of people seemed to want to know what the character songs for Ed were about, I finally decided to stop mumbling random things and try to actually translate one. Since "Hagane no Kokoro" was by far the most popular in the song poll, I did a translation of that one first.

Please note that since I didn't have access to any written lyrics, I kind of had to type out the lyrics by ear, which means that there will obviously be atleast a few mistakes. Also, my Japanese is still very so-so, so (wow, three so's in a row- let's replace that last one with therefore...) there are a bunch of parts that I had trouble with, which are noted with the numbered [brackets]. And, finally, there's always the typical interpretation errors...

But, anyway, here's what I suppose you could call a semi-translation of Hagane no Kokoro. Feel free to post any comments/complaints/vocabulary-aid/or even flames (these are fine as long as they don't fry my computer...)~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hagane no Kokoro"
(Romanized by Ear...)

Torimodoshite miseru tsukamu no sakko[1] no te de
Hohoemi to namida no ato
Trying to regain…[Um, I’m kind of stuck here…]
After the smiles and tears…

Wakatteru sono kimochi dakara shinpai nanda
Issho da yo donna toki demo
I understand those feelings, that’s why I’m worried
We’ll be together, no matter what happens

Tooku hanaretetemo omoi tsutawaru[2]
Sonna ki ga shiteru no
Even when we’re far apart, you send your thoughts
I can sense them…


* “Hagane no kokoro[3]” hitori zutsu[4] omoi kimochi wa chigattemo
Omoi yaru wa tashika dakara itsudatte shinjite mieru
“Heart of Steel” Though our thoughts and feelings differ
Because our feelings are true, we’ll always try to believe

“Hagane no Kokoro” bokutachi wa nakushita mono ooi keredo
Dakara koso tsuyoku nareru kizu na tsuyoku futari[5] kara
“Heart of Steel” Though our losses are many
That’s exactly why we’ll become strong, because [see footnote 5]


Hontou wa wakatteru sa omae ga soba ni inakya
Ore hitori ja nani mo dekinai
I really do understand- if you weren’t there by my side
I, alone, wouldn’t be able to do anything

Itsumo issho ni iru yo subete wa tachiaou
Yorokobi mo kanashimi sae mo
We’ll always be together; let's witness everything
Happiness too, and even sadness


Tsutsunde ageru itsumo yasashisa de
Demo chotto samishii
I’ll always surround you with kindness
But I’m a little sad…

“Hagane no Kokoro” nagareteku jikan wa zankoku da keredo
Kasanaru omoi tashika nara itsudatte susunde yukeru
“Heart of Steel” Though the flow of time is cruel
If these accumulating memories are true, we’ll always advance forwards

“Hagane no Kokoro” kibou sae ushinau you na sadame demo
Issho nara nori koerareru kizu na tsuyoku futari[5] kara
“Heart of Steel” Even when it seems we’ll lose all hope
If we’re together we can climb over it, Because [See footnote 5]

Yasashisa ga kimeta omoi ga
Sono chikara ataeru
Those memories chosen by kindness
Will give you that strength

*Repeat

[1] I can’t figure out the exact word she’s singing…
[2] I thought that this was “tsubawaru” for sooo long… The Japanese dictionary gave these definitions for “tsutawaru”: to be handed down; to be introduced; to be transmitted; to be circulated; to go along; to walk along
[3] As far as I can tell, “Hagane no Kokoro” kind of seems to stand by itself- it doesn’t seem to fit into the rest of the lyrics. (I’m probably wrong about this, so if anyone can correct me, by all means, please go ahead!)
[4] This word here doesn’t seem to exist…but that’s what it sounds like… (I just left it out of the translation)
[5] Like note [1], I can’t figure out exactly what they’re singing. I’m guessing it might mean something like “We’re both weak and strong” or something…Someone please help…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Thanks for actually taking the time to read through all this random junk! Yay!)

@Luv4Ed-san: Hey, just pointing out that the translation posted on AnimeLyrics was done by tokage-san, and it's already been discussed back in an old post of hers over here.