Tengoku no Kioku

Tengoku no Kioku (Memories of Heaven) is a song made for the CD Neon Genesis Evangelion Decade, composed by (info here) and sung by Megumi Hayashibara as Rei Ayanami. The lyrics are by (info here) while the arrangement is by (info here).

English Translation

Translator: Sailor Star Dust

Somebody, somewhere, is attracted by the excitement
Of meeting by chance

A time when the hour stops, as if rewinding it
Causes destiny to stir

I forget only for the sake of
Carrying my name, all of reality plays but

The warmth of your hand
To only be born from before
I remember why I am in pain

Sometime, something, will change two people
The end of that distant day

Amidst happiness, hidden sadness
Snatches away a smile

This memory from Heaven continues
I often take along how much
I can’t unfasten my hurt
A thread of thorns that seem to invite love

Seeking an escape
I warp Karma in an embrace

I forget only for the sake of
Carrying my name, all of reality plays but

The warmth of your hand
To only be born from before
I remember this unknown soul

Romaji and Original Japanese Lyrics

Romanized by yokuchi, tweaked by Sailor Star Dust

Tengoku no Kioku

『天国の記憶』

dare ka doko ka hageshiku hikarete meguriatte shimau toki o tometa tokei makimodosu mitai ni unmei ga ugoku wasurerareru tame dake namae o motsu subete wa utsutsu o asobu kedo anata no te no nukumori tada umareru mae kara oboeteita watashi wa naze setsunakute itsuka nanika futari wa kawaru no tooi hibi no hate ni shiawase no urani wa kanashimi ga kakurete hohoemi o ubau kono kioku no tsuzuki o tengoku kara watashi wa nandomo surete kuru dore dake kizuitemo hodoku koto ga dekinai ibara no ito sore o ai to yobu no darou nogaretakute modoreteyuku yukanda karuma ni nakarete wasurerareru tame dake namae o motsu subete wa utsutsu o asobu kedo anata no te no nukumori tada umareru mae kara oboeteita namonaki kono tamashii ga

誰か　どこか　激しく惹かれて めぐり逢ってしまう 時を止めた時計　巻き戻すみたいに 運命が動く 忘れられるためだけ 名前を持つすべては現を遊ぶけど あなたの手のぬくもり ただ生まれる前から 憶えていた　私はなぜせつなくて いつか　何か　二人は変わるの 遠い日々の果てに 幸せの裏には　悲しみが隠れて 微笑みをうばう この記憶の続きを 天国から私は　何度も連れてくる どれだけ傷ついても ほどくことができない 棘の糸　それを愛と呼ぶのだろう 逃れたくて　求めてゆく 歪んだカルマに抱かれて 忘れられるためだけ 名前を持つすべては　現を遊ぶけど あなたの手のぬくもり ただ生まれる前から 憶えていた　名もなきこの魂が

Notes

• An official Gainax music video of Rei featuring the song was created by Masayuki.
• The line about Rei's "unknown soul" is most likely referring to Lilith.