Naze yuku no ka? Nani wo ou no ka? Keshite yuru ga nai kokoro zashi. Kichi to deru ka. Kyo to deru no ka. Mimi wo togi sumasu - yaiba no koe yo. Michiyuku ha kaze no fuku mama neko jarashi Nasake Wo sutete fuminarasu Iza michi wo yukeba miete kuruka Onore no ashiato furimukuna Michi wo yukeba koete miseyo Onore ni makeji to waga michi yo
Te wo kasuhodo himani arazu to Hitai wo nugue nijurasen Mae ni habakaru neshita zenitate Koban wo tenisura mimi wo sasareru Kamishimeta kiai to katsu no bushi no michi Hara ga hetyuteha tatakaenu Iza michi no nakaba taetemiruka Onore wo kakushite haji wo shiru Michi no nakaba saredo nakaba Onore ni jungite shin wo miru
Iza michi wo yukeba miete kuruka Onore no ashiato furimukuna Michi wo yuke ba koete miseyo Onore ni makeji to waga michi yo Shinjiru saki ni mamoru monoga Onozu to ashita ni tuitekuru Michi wo yukeba koete miseyo Onore ni makeji to waga michi yo
Translation:
Why are you going? What are you chasing? A strong will that will never waver. In better or worse, Sharpen your ears to the voice of the sword. You have a taste for battle-cries, the path of a warrior Throw away your pity and trample it flat. Now, if you walk that path, will you see it? Don't turn back your footsteps. When I walk this path, I will try and go beyond it My path that will not succumb to you.
And a bit more literal translation:
Why are (you) going? What are (you) pursuing? A will that will not waver, no matter what. Will a good luck come out? Will a bad luck come out? Sharpen your ears - the voice of the sword. (You)'ve taken a taste to 'kiai'* and 'katsu'** of the way of the warrior. Throw away pity and trample it flat Now, if (you) walk the path, will (you) see it? Don't turn back your footsteps. If (you) walk the path, show (us) beyond it. My path that will not succumb to you.