Pretty Ninjas

Story Behind The Song

This is the true story about my son, Nathaniel, when he went to teach and study in Japan after college. I wrote it for him and Yumiko just before their wedding. I know that he probably wanted a grunge ballad, but this clever, funny, quirky and uniquely pleasant tune personifies the boy I raised to be a man -- wide open to life and love no matter the odds!

Song Description

"When you think all hope is lost, keep the faith, don't quit If Pretty Ninjas can save me, then miracles exist."

Song Length 4:30 Genre Unique - General, Folk - Alternative
Tempo Medium (111 - 130) Mood Glad, Affable
Subject Searching for Love, Luck/Coincidence Similar Artists Arlo Guthrie, Neil Young
Language English Era 2000 and later

Lyrics

PRETTY NINJAS (JUST ME AND YUMIKO)
(Words and music by John Kelly Jr.)
Copyright 2008

Dotombori, 3 a.m.
I find myself alone again
a million miles from my home
out from the neon glow I roam
to where the darkness and my skin
begin to feel like one
and when my mind is wonderin'
should I be travelin' on? Yeah, travelin' on.

(refrain)
You know, I miss my dad and mom
and I really miss that old blue dog;
don't wanna quit, but I gotta admit
I need some tenderness, but quick.

(harmonica)
JR Station, Umeda
Osaka likes to eat and run
Listen when they greet someone:
Mo-ka-ri-ma-kka
Mokarimakka: "Did you make any money today?"
Well, today I find that funny,
cause it's not money I'm looking to make
(And you know what I'm saying!)

(harmonica)
Last night I made sticky rice
and thought it might be kinda nice
to be like those two lucky grains
that fell together off the plate
onto the futon where a crease
would let them live as one,
and where in their sweet love affair
the grim sweeper won't come
(Man, I need to get out more)

(refrain)
You know, I miss my dad and mom
and I really miss that old blue dog;
don't wanna quit, but I gotta admit
I need some tenderness, but quick.


(Verse)
Hai, takoyaki, morning rush,
squid marks from the octopus
Esaka and teaching school
another lost in the translation duel
when the boss man says my puns
will never get a laugh, "Such sublty
will never be a big hit in Japan."
I said: "Doh-mo!"

(refrain)
Well, twist of fate or divine wind
a ninja girl was sitting in
my class that day, and I heard her say,
"My name is Yumiko; I like your jokes."

(harmonica)

(Verse)
Well, I stuck to her like white on rice
now we're married, it feels right
we never needed language school
to know the word is love -- that's cool
so when you think all hope is lost,
just keep the faith, don't quit
if pretty ninjas can save me,
then miracles exist.
(So sumi if I'm wrong!)

(refrain)
You know, I miss my dad and mom
and I really miss that old blue dog;
I'll always love them so, but now I know:
It's me and Yumiko; just me and Yumiko!
(Hey, now I'm happy - sushi!)



Lyrics John Kelly Jr. Music John Kelly Jr.
Producer John Kelly Jr. Publisher John Kelly Jr.
Performance John Kelly Jr. Label Evensong Music

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