The longest school song in Japan: A detailed explanation of the song of Daisen Municipal Omagari Junior High School [Akita Prefecture]

The school song of Daisen City Omagari Junior High School was featured on the popular Nippon Television program "Monday Late Night" broadcast on October 11, 2021, as "the longest school song in Japan," and became a hot topic on Twitter

This article provides a detailed explanation of the school song of Daisen City Omagari Junior High School

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What is the title and lyrics of the longest school song in Japan

The school song of Daisen City Omagari Junior High School, which is said to be the longest in Japan, is titled "Live Well, Young People." It was established in 1965 and was first performed at a ceremony to coincide with the completion of the school building

This school song, written by Takashi Hongo and composed by Chotaro Sato, is interspersed with the school motto "Live well," and is a very long song, lasting 10 minutes and 15 seconds in full chorus, performed with piano accompaniment

The playing method and beat change as the song progresses, so I've put together a table

lyrics	How to play	Song number	beat
"Live well - maybe it's a wish"	Chorus by male and female students + piano accompaniment	Number 1	４/4
"That voice is calling out to me~calling to me"	Solo chorus by female students + piano accompaniment	Number 1	４/4
"Live well"	Chorus by male and female students + piano accompaniment	Number 1	４/4
"That voice is one that can be seen but not heard."	Narration by female students + piano accompaniment	Number 1	４/4
"That voice spreads rapidly."	Chorus by male and female students + piano accompaniment	Number 1	４/4
"Filling the rich soil - becoming a great chorus"	Solo chorus by female students + piano accompaniment	Number 1	４/4
"Live well, live well - Young people of Omagari Junior High School"	Chorus by male and female students + piano accompaniment	Number 1	４/4
"Live well, live well"	Chorus by male and female students + piano accompaniment	Number 2	４/4
"That's right, since ancient times	Solo chorus by male students + piano accompaniment	Number 2	3/4
"The chosen wise ones"	Solo chorus by female students + piano accompaniment	Number 2	3/4
"Quickly close your ears."	Chorus by two male and two female students + piano accompaniment	Number 2	3/4
"I just walked."	Chorus by male and female students + piano accompaniment	Number 2	3/4
"The first and greatest of mankind"	Solo chorus by male students + piano accompaniment	Number 2	3/4
"It's words."	Chorus by male and female students + piano accompaniment	Number 2	3/4
"Humanity - Let Us Hear the Hymn"	Narration by female students + chorus by female students + piano accompaniment	Number 2	４/4
"Live well"	Chorus by male and female students + piano accompaniment	Number 2	４/4
"On this blessed day"	Narration by female students	Number 2	４/4
"One point on a piece - Young people from Omagari Junior High School"	Chorus by male and female students + piano accompaniment	Number 2	４/4

Current students will sing all parts except for the solo chorus and narration, but the new students will have a hard time because they will have to memorize this complex structure

Also, because the song is so long, the entire school song is sung together at entrance and graduation ceremonies, but at other times the first verse is "Omono no Kawabe - Young People of Omagari Junior High School" and the second verse is "One Point on the Horse - Young People of Omagari Junior High School."

Just reading all the lyrics is very moving, so if you're interested, I recommend checking out the Daisen City Omagari Junior High School website

Reference: Daisen City Omagari Junior High School "History"

Reference: Daisen City Omagari Junior High School "School Song"

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What are the characteristics of the longest school song in Japan

The longest school song in Japan is characterized by its many variations in rhythm and performance style, making it an enjoyable song to sing, but what may come as a surprise to first-time listeners is the key change at the end of the song

Specifically, the end of the first verse, "Goodwill and beauty, young people of Omagari Junior High School," and the end of the second verse, "Intelligence and determination, young people of Omagari Junior High School," suddenly change from the previous key of F major to D minor

The change in key of the song feels very sudden, but by suddenly changing to a minor key, the song conveys seriousness to the very end, and the ending makes you think that the singer wanted to end the song on a strong note

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What a graduate thinks about Japan's longest school song

On September 3rd, 2019, the Suiho class school trip group, a third-year student group from Daisen City Omagari Junior High School, performed the longest school song in Japan at the outdoor stage in Ueno Park

This event was planned for alumni living in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and was held so that they could sing "Live Well, Young People" together with current students

The reason such events are planned is that the graduates, now adults, realize how good the school song is and feel like singing it again

If I had participated in this event as a graduate, I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to sing without tears

Now that I understand the feelings contained in the longest school song in Japan, I feel nothing but gratitude for having come across it when I was in junior high school

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lastly

The longest school song in Japan has a complex structure and performance method, making it very difficult for new students to memorize, but it turns out to be a song that will remain in their memory even after they become adults

If you're interested, please give "Live Well, Young People" a listen

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