Aiko-san and the Bamboo Blind (v1) Like a peony bud I opened for you While peach blossoms filled The air with perfume You whispered my name Made ‘Aiko-san’ holy As outside the bamboo blind Time faded slowly (Chorus) Oh, my hair gleamed like a raven’s wing My pale skin glowed like porcelain When I was young my step was light As I brought you sakana and sake at night And we sighed behind the bamboo blind (v2) The letter in winter On paper of rice With news of an old war Turned warm blood to ice Your silence did little To banish my fears As the snow on your collar Melted under my tears Bridge You grasped the sword That hung at your side Proud samurai husband Soon to make me a widow Then bowed, took your leave All these years I still grieve I ache for the shape of your head On my pillow (v3) You died on a mountain They found you in spring Still holding a letter I’d wrapped in bright string Now the path to my garden Is rough and unswept No lover has crossed it Since the hour you left (Chorus) Oh, my hair gleamed like a raven’s wing My pale skin glowed like porcelain When I was young my step was light Now feet are leaden that pace at night As I weep behind the bamboo blind © 2009 Donna Devine (lyrics)/Billy Playle (music/arrangement/instruments)
