Do your best with the 'Ganbarou' Song!
A Better Way musical challenge for individuals, bands and choirs!
Please share this post with your friends, musicians and choirs…
Before I went to Japan, there was a word I didn't know - the word was ‘Ganbarou’. It means "let's do our best", let’s put our courage to the test! It’s a very popular word in Japan, used in many contexts by all and what a great word for these times. I feel it pretty much sums up what is needed from all of us lively men, women, boys and girls.
A ‘Ganbarou’ Song!
The word inspired this fun ‘Ganbarou’ song. This is our first try at recording 2 out of the 10 verses :) – my lovely Daniel is on guitar. Yes, well-spotted, I am in my dressing gown in this video.
For some fun in the classroom, please share the lyrics with music teachers please!
The song lends itself to many voices and music genres, so if you are part of a choir, play an instrument, or just love singing, give it a try. I find just singing the words themselves quite uplifting and guaranteed to put a smile on my face.
Feel free to adapt the song and use as you please. I feel the song in part or all would be fun for school children of all ages.
On guitar, the basic Ganbarou Song chords are: G, Em, C, D
Lyrics…
There was a word I didn't know.
And that word was ‘Ganbarou’.
It means ‘let's do our best’.
Let’s put our courage to the test!
Ganbarou, let's do our best!
For the future we won't rest
A brighter path we’ll pave today
United we found a better way.
Ganbarou, oh Ganbarou
It’s that word you didn’t know
It means let’s do our best
Let’s put our hearts to the test.
Did you know it’s Japanese?
May we use it as we please?
It’s time for the world to know
The meaning of the word ‘Ganbarou’!
This full article with 10 verses is available for paid subscribers today and available to all subscribers tomorrow! If you enjoy my Substack articles and find value in Tess Talks conversations, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. All proceeds go to the work of the World Council for Health.
Here are the other 6 verses.
Ganbarou, let's do our best!
For the future we won't rest
A brighter path we’ll pave today
Together we found a better way!
‘Ganbarou’ comes from Japan
Boy, girl, woman, man
Let’s do our best, when we can
All one united clan!
Ganbarou, let's do our best!
For the future we won't rest
Don’t worry, it’s not too late
Let’s get together and co-create!
‘Ganbarou’, oh ‘Ganbarou’
It’s that word you didn’t know
Now you do, please join the tribe
And share the Ganbarou vibe.
Land of the brave, do you know
The meaning of the word ‘Ganbarou’?
Don’t worry, it’s not too late
Let’s get together and co-create!
‘Ganbarou’ comes from Japan
From our universal clan
Land of the rising Sun
Join with us, let’s have some fun!
Ganbarou, let’s do our best!
Moving on from conferences and detox fairs, perhaps we’ll hold a Better Way Eisteddfod next with convivial music and poetry! Or make a Better Way Musical ;)) - everything is possible when co-creating a better world.
Feel free to add your own verses and do send me any video recordings you make of the song and I will post on my social media.