A Japanese Folk Song From Aomori

When summer comes,

The paddy pools grow warm

The mud lark and the singing frog

Are happy, are happy

Thinking they’re in bath.

When winter comes,

The paddy pools are filmed with ice,

The mud lark and the singing frog

Must think their heaven has stretched

Has stretched and grown above.

When spring comes

There’s water in the paddy pools

The mud lark and the singing frog

Are happy, are happy

Thinking they’re in the sea.

When autumn comes,

The hills and dales turn red

The mud lark and the singing frog

Craning their necks above,

Must think of the hills are on fire