Text by 嶽本野ばら (Takemoto Novala)
From the Gothic and Lolita Bible vol. 23 , pg 49
Translation: (done 10.2.2009)
I want to be a lolita, you say.
And so I answer, good if that is so.
What should I do to seem like a lolita?
I do not have the answer to that.
A headdress is necessary, of course. A pannier too.
This co-ordinate, does it look strange?
As a lolita, am I making a mistake?
Ne, why do you want to be a lolita?
Because it has become popular, because your friends are wearing it too.......
Supposing that is true, you are not qualified to be a lolita.
If you just imitate, you will achieve the outer appearance.
However, I would like you to think.
For whose sake are you living?
You want to show your individuality, yet you fear isolation
You scream that you want to be free, yet you feel safe within the rules
If you don't even know why you were complimented, are you still satisfied.
You Vivienne Westwood girls who don't even know about the Sex Pistols.
Even wearing just a jersey, a princess is still a princess.
Because my rules for lolita, belong only to me.
Because your rules for lolita, belong only to you.
For my god is different from your god.
If there are angels draped in elegant robes that play the tambourine
Then there are also angels clad in armour, sword in hand, whose task is to fight.
Even if you ask me, I can't answer you.
If you would like a hint, they are scattered everywhere.
You simply didn't notice.
That what you believe is right, that is the answer.
Sew frills all around the border of your heart!
Wear a tiara upon your soul!
All you have to do is to be proud.
*I decided to take a more interpretive approach to this translation rather than a literal one. Some of the phrases that Novala-sensei uses here are quite lovely, and I really wanted to capture that in the English translation.
Original text:
ロリータになりたいと、君はいう。
なればいいと、僕はこたえる。
どうすれば、ロリータさんらしくみえる？
返す言葉を、僕は持たない。
ヘッドドレスは必要だよね。パニエも。
このコーディネイトって、おかしい？
ロリータさんとして間違っていないかな？
ねぇ、君はどうしてロリータがしたいの。
流行りだから、友達もしているから・・・・・・。
もし、そうなら君にロリータの資格はないね。
真似をすれば、それなりに格好はつくよ。
だけど考えて欲しい。
君は誰の為に生きているのかを。
自分らしくと思いながら、孤立するのを恐れている。
自由でいたいと呼びながら、規則の中で安心している。
納得出来ないのに誉められて、満足かい。
SEX PISTOLSも知らないでVivienne Westwoodな彼女達。
ジャージを着ていたって、お姫様はお姫様さ。
僕はロリータのルールは、僕だけのものだから
君がロリータのルールは、君にしか見付けられない。
僕の神様と君の神様は違うだろ。
優雅なローヴを纏い、タンバリンを叩く天使もいれば
甲胃に身を包み、剣を持ち戦うが仕事の天使もいる。
僕に訊かれても困るんだ。
ヒントなら至るところに転がっているけれど。
気付いていないだけさ。
君が正しいと思うものが答えだということを。
心の裾にフリルを縫いつ込め！
魂の上にティアラを飾れ！
君はもっと、傲慢になっていい。
From the Gothic and Lolita Bible vol. 23 , pg 49
Translation: (done 10.2.2009)
I want to be a lolita, you say.
And so I answer, good if that is so.
What should I do to seem like a lolita?
I do not have the answer to that.
A headdress is necessary, of course. A pannier too.
This co-ordinate, does it look strange?
As a lolita, am I making a mistake?
Ne, why do you want to be a lolita?
Because it has become popular, because your friends are wearing it too.......
Supposing that is true, you are not qualified to be a lolita.
If you just imitate, you will achieve the outer appearance.
However, I would like you to think.
For whose sake are you living?
You want to show your individuality, yet you fear isolation
You scream that you want to be free, yet you feel safe within the rules
If you don't even know why you were complimented, are you still satisfied.
You Vivienne Westwood girls who don't even know about the Sex Pistols.
Even wearing just a jersey, a princess is still a princess.
Because my rules for lolita, belong only to me.
Because your rules for lolita, belong only to you.
For my god is different from your god.
If there are angels draped in elegant robes that play the tambourine
Then there are also angels clad in armour, sword in hand, whose task is to fight.
Even if you ask me, I can't answer you.
If you would like a hint, they are scattered everywhere.
You simply didn't notice.
That what you believe is right, that is the answer.
Sew frills all around the border of your heart!
Wear a tiara upon your soul!
All you have to do is to be proud.
*I decided to take a more interpretive approach to this translation rather than a literal one. Some of the phrases that Novala-sensei uses here are quite lovely, and I really wanted to capture that in the English translation.
Original text:
ロリータになりたいと、君はいう。
なればいいと、僕はこたえる。
どうすれば、ロリータさんらしくみえる？
返す言葉を、僕は持たない。
ヘッドドレスは必要だよね。パニエも。
このコーディネイトって、おかしい？
ロリータさんとして間違っていないかな？
ねぇ、君はどうしてロリータがしたいの。
流行りだから、友達もしているから・・・・・・。
もし、そうなら君にロリータの資格はないね。
真似をすれば、それなりに格好はつくよ。
だけど考えて欲しい。
君は誰の為に生きているのかを。
自分らしくと思いながら、孤立するのを恐れている。
自由でいたいと呼びながら、規則の中で安心している。
納得出来ないのに誉められて、満足かい。
SEX PISTOLSも知らないでVivienne Westwoodな彼女達。
ジャージを着ていたって、お姫様はお姫様さ。
僕はロリータのルールは、僕だけのものだから
君がロリータのルールは、君にしか見付けられない。
僕の神様と君の神様は違うだろ。
優雅なローヴを纏い、タンバリンを叩く天使もいれば
甲胃に身を包み、剣を持ち戦うが仕事の天使もいる。
僕に訊かれても困るんだ。
ヒントなら至るところに転がっているけれど。
気付いていないだけさ。
君が正しいと思うものが答えだということを。
心の裾にフリルを縫いつ込め！
魂の上にティアラを飾れ！
君はもっと、傲慢になっていい。
