‘Breath’ is another poetic and cathartic song from Park Hyo-shin’s collaboration with musician and composer Jung Jae-il.
The lyrics to ‘Breath’ sound quite fragmented. We as listeners are made to fill in the gaps between the image that is created one part of the song and the line following it. Even the music video doesn’t illustrate the song’s lyrics so it’s really left to us to visualize the story behind the lyrics.
What story does the song tell in your mind?
Please note: The translation below is based on my own interpretation of the lyrics and is not an official English translation of the song provided by the artist.
Translated Lyrics to ‘Breath’ (숨)
Official music video of ‘Breath (숨)’ by Park Hyo-shin
The breath I will take today
The place I will rest today
Living yet another day, just like today…
Kept under the bed
are dreams from the night before.
As they hold my wearied heart
I close my eyes
“It’s alright”…
In a shape different from others
I fall asleep, alone.
When I awaken to yet another sunrise
I am wont to laugh…
On a night like tonight
If it is a dream I can stay in like this
If I can wish for what I cannot
If I am unafraid
Like you…
On a day like today
When the forgotten tears flow freely again
My small and sleepless heart
Takes another breath…
Over the endless sky
Like a bird that flies across
I will not look back.
Somewhere on the other side, is spring…
Over the frail and still
world, the rain pours down.
Today has arrived again
and I merely live it once more…
On a night like tonight
If it is a dream I can stay in like this
If I can wish for what I cannot
If I am unafraid
Like you…
On a day like today
When the forgotten tears flow freely again
My small and sleepless heart
Takes another breath…
The end of a long day…
Takes another breath…
Related Links
Other songs and articles related to Park Hyo-shin
Introduction to Jung Jae-il and his works
Thank you for a lovely translation. I especially like “over the frail and still world” instead of the strengthlessly stopped world in other translations, which doesn’t really compute in English.
Hi! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment – and for appreciating the original translation!
It’s tricky translating Korean to English for sure but I hope the beauty of songs like these come across here to an extent.
Yes I totally agree! Such a beautiful emotional song that makes more sense to me with this translation. Beautiful music, voice and lyrics. I hope more people trying to understand this ballad find this translation. Thank you so much.
I will continue to look forward to your translation of Korean music. I am a new fan of Park Hyo Shin and I find his songs beautiful and emotionally-charged. Hope you will translate more of his songs. Thank you!