Shina No Yoru

Shina no yoru
Shina no yoru yo
Minato no akari
Murasaki no yo ni
Noboru janku no
Yume no fune
Aa wasurarenu
Kokyu no ne
Shina no yoru
Yume no yoru

Shina no yoru
Shina no yoru yo
Yanagi no mado ni
Lantan yurete
Akai torikago
Shina musume
Aa yarusenai
Ai no uta
Shina no yoru
Yume no yoru

Shina no yoru
Shina no yoru yo
Kimi matsu yoru wa
Obashima no ame ni
Hana mo chiru chiru
Beni mo chiru
Aa wakaretemo
Wasuraryo ka
Shina no yoru
Yume no yoru What a night in China,
What a night in China
Harbor lights,
Deep purple night,
Ah, ship,
The dreamship
I can't forget
The sound of the Kokyu.
Ah, China night,
A dream night.

What a night in China,
What a night in China,
Over the willow window,
A ramp was shaking,
Chinese lady
Was there like a bird,
Singing love songs,
Sad sounding love songs
Ah, China night,
A dream night.

What a night in China,
What a night in China,
I was waiting in the parapet
There was this girl in a rain
The rouge on her cheeks
Like flowers were in bloom,
Forever, I will remember
Even after we separated,
Ah, China night,
A dream night.

Source: Club Nisei Japanese Music of Hawaii CD available from: - China Night was popular during the years preceding WWII. Kokyu in verse 1, stanza 8 is a Chinese musical instrument.