Listen to or download the song.
Play this on the jukebox and listen to a lot of other versions too.
You can also download all the different musical versions, in the order they went up.
From Janis: Yoshiko Yoshida requested permission to adapt these lyrics herself, and after consultation with executive producer for Japan Takahiro Maeda, it was agreed that her translation and video captured the spirit of the song. With that in mind, please enjoy her lyric in Japanese below, with direct translation following. Much thanks to Yoshida-san for this moving video and rendition; it brought home to me all the moments of lockdown and sadness I felt, too.
Better Times Will Come (Janis Ian)
Lyrics adapted by Yoshiko Yoshida
変わる少しずつだが 声がひろがってゆく
夢みる世界はいつも この手の中にある
もうすぐ会えるあなたに この歌には翼がある
ふるえる心ゆれる心 そのままの心で
変わる少しずつだが 声がひろがってゆく
夢みる世界はいつも この手の中にある
夢みる世界はいつも この手の中にある
何を求めさまよう？ まぼろしに別れを告げよう
さあ踊ろう、あなたと唄おう 風向きはかわる
変わる少しずつだが 声がひろがってゆく
夢みる世界はいつも この手の中にある
夢みる世界はいつも この手の中にある
Oh, この手の中に
Direct English translation:
Change will come, a bit at a time
Our voices carried far and wide
The world that we dream of is always within our reach
We will see each other soon, and this song will grow wings
Whether trembling or wavering, just be true to your heart
Change will come, a bit at a time
Our voices carried far and wide
The world that we dream of is always within our reach
What is it we seek? Let’s cast our phantoms aside.
We will dance, we will sing, the winds are changing
Change will come, a bit at a time
Our voices carried far and wide
The world that we dream of is always within our reach
Oh, always within our reach
“Better Times Will Come” words & music by Janis Ian; © Janis Ian 2020. All rights reserved; international copyrights secured. Used by permission