가로수 그늘 아래 서면 When I stand under the shade of a roadside tree - 이문세 Lee Moon-sae (1988) : Lyrics & English Translation

 

"When I stand under the shade of a roadside tree" (Garosu Geuneul Arae Seomyeon) is a profoundly melancholic and timeless masterpiece from the monumental fifth studio album by the legendary South Korean pop ballad pioneer Lee Moon-sae, released in 1988.

Written and composed by the legendary maestro Lee Young-hoon, the song serves as a masterful showcase for Lee Moon-sae's signature warm, wistful, and emotionally expressive vocals, which flawlessly capture the enchanting essence of poetic nostalgia, autumn solitude, and bittersweet yearning.

By blending a serene, acoustic-led pop atmosphere with a deeply poetic, heartbreaking melody, this track introduced a profound level of sophisticated musical lyricism and emotional artistry to the Korean music scene.

Today, it stands as an immortal masterpiece, universally recognized as one of the most beloved anthems of introspective romance and enduring longing in the history of Korean popular music.

[가로수 그늘 아래 서면]
[When I stand under the shade of a roadside tree Lyrics & English Translation]

라일락 꽃향기 맡으면

railrak kkothyanggi mateumyeon

When I smell the scent of lilacs

잊을 수 없는 기억에

ijeul su eomneun gieoge

In the memories I cannot forget

햇살 가득 눈부신 슬픔 안고

haetsal gadeuk nunbusin seulpeum ango

Embracing a dazzling sorrow full of sunshine

버스 창가에 기대 우네

beoseu changgae gidae une

I lean against the bus window and cry

가로수 그늘 아래 서면

garosu gneurae rarae seomyeon

When I stand under the shade of the roadside trees

떠가는 듯 그대 모습

tteoganeun deut geudae moseup

Your image seems to float away

어느 찬비 흩날린 가을 오면

eoneu chanbi heunnalrin gaeul omyeon

When autumn comes with a cold, scattering rain

아침 찬바람에 지우지

achim chanbarame jiuji

I erase it with the cold morning breeze

이렇게도 아름다운 세상

ireokedo areumdaun sesang

Such a beautiful world as this

잊지 않으리 내가 사랑한 얘기

itji aneuri naega saranghan yaegi

I will never forget the story of my love

우 우 여위어 가는 가로수

u u yeowieo ganeun garosu

Woo woo, the roadside trees growing thin

그늘 밑 그 향기 더 하는데

gneurmit geu hyanggi deo hanneadei

Beneath their shade, the scent grows deeper

우 우 아름다운 세상

u u areumdaun sesang

Woo woo, beautiful world

너는 알았지 내가 사랑한 모습

neoneun aratji naega saranghan moseup

You knew the way I loved

우 우 저 별이 지는 가로수

u u jeo byeori jineun garosu

Woo woo, where those stars set over the roadside trees

하늘 밑 그 향기 더 하는데

haneul mit geu hyanggi deo hanneadei

Beneath the sky, the scent grows deeper

가로수 그늘 아래 서면

garosu gneurae rarae seomyeon

When I stand under the shade of the roadside trees

떠가는 듯 그대 모습

tteoganeun deut geudae moseup

Your image seems to float away

어느 찬비 흩날린 가을 오면

eoneu chanbi heunnalrin gaeul omyeon

When autumn comes with a cold, scattering rain

아침 찬바람에 지우지

achim chanbarame jiuji

I erase it with the cold morning breeze

이렇게도 아름다운 세상

ireokedo areumdaun sesang

Such a beautiful world as this

잊지 않으리 내가 사랑한 얘기

itji aneuri naega saranghan yaegi

I will never forget the story of my love

우 우 여위어 가는 가로수

u u yeowieo ganeun garosu

Woo woo, the roadside trees growing thin

그늘 밑 그 향기 더 하는데

gneurmit geu hyanggi deo hanneadei

Beneath their shade, the scent grows deeper

우 우 아름다운 세상

u u areumdaun sesang

Woo woo, beautiful world

너는 알았지 내가 사랑한 모습

neoneun aratji naega saranghan moseup

You knew the way I loved

우 우 저 별이 지는 가로수

u u jeo byeori jineun garosu

Woo woo, where those stars set over the roadside trees

하늘 밑 그 향기 더 하는데

haneul mit geu hyanggi deo hanneadei

Beneath the sky, the scent grows deeper

내가 사랑한 그대는 아나

naega saranghan geudaeneun ana

Does my beloved one know?