A.B.C-Z Oh! Teacher Lyric Translation

So… when I saw Ebi were going to have a song called “Oh! Teacher” on the new album I felt an immediate dread, but I am happy to say that the song was nothing like I had imagined! 😅 It’s a song about going to a school reunion and feeling inadequate/like a failure in the eyes of an old teacher. There’s a happy ending though. The lyrics tell a great story.

Original Japanese: Utaten

English Translation

My brand new suit and polished shoes 

Things with flashy brandnames (Look at me!)

Meeting again after so long, it looks like everyone’s doing well

The gang’s all here, all grown up (Nostalgic!) 

I can’t help feeling nervous, that low voice and scary face

Your sharp eyes see straight into my heart

Oh! Teacher

The moment you start to speak I have a flashbacks to memories of the past 

I want to say “I’m sorry” to you properly 

I was an impertinent brat who only dreamt big 

I’ll never forget the words you said when we parted ways 

“Don’t fake it, live your life with pride”

Although the years have passed nothing has changed

Wearing a false courage

Cowardly old me is here 

“It’s sad though…” 

Dululu… 

Oh! I’m fine, things are busy, business is going well

It’s different to what I dreamt of though (Maybe alright!) 

The things you imposed on us about being a working adult

A lot of them seem to have sunken in (Oh my god!) 

My first love has become more and more beautiful  

That neighbourhood kid inherited the family business and is now a company president 

Oh! Teacher 

The harsh words you said that hurt my ears 

Now that I’m an adult I completely understand

There is no shortcut to happiness 

The things I want to do and the things I don’t want to do 

I’m still struggling with the balance even now

In the end I do what I want 

You only live once

I want to find true happiness

“Can you do it?”

I can’t help feeling relieved, that low voice and scary face

Your kind eyes see straight into my heart

Oh! Teacher

The moment you start to speak I have a flashbacks to memories of the past 

I want to say “thank-you” to you properly 

I was an impertinent brat who only dreamt big 

The words you give me now are the same as when parted ways 

“Don’t fake it, live your life with pride”

I’ll try to live life just the way I am

I’ll throw away my false courage

Take this coward along with you too

Proud old me is here

“Let’s go then!”

Dululu…