sukoshi_suika requested a translation of tracks 5-7 of the USxUK Hitsuji de Oyasumi drama CD. I happily obliged. It was pretty cute.
You can find the download links for the audio in her
original post. Translations are under the cut. :3
5. なんで羊を数えるんだい [NANDE HITSUJI WO KAZOERUNDAI] Why do we count sheep?
US: It's the XX day of OO month, and I'm reporting from the World Conference. Recently, the number of people who are unable to sleep has been increasing worldwide and today's topic of discussion will be about how to solve this problem of insomnia. The meeting has already begun, and it's about time for the Hero to bring forth an awesome plan!
UK: Switzerland, I can hear you. What do you mean by 'suspicious methods'? I've got a lot of experience in black magic. Well, I've never had trouble sleeping, but you know anybody can use magic. It's pretty easy to use it for practical means.
US: Are you making up stories again? Man, England, you really have weird delusions-
UK: They're not delusions! Okay? Magic is a traditional-
US: MORE IMPORTANTLY, you guys should definitely listen to what I have to say. Everyone, I have the PERFECT way to fall blissfully asleep.
UK: ...and what would that be?
US: We make a huge robot and then have it rock the earth like a cradle! That way, everyone will-
UK: Absolutely not! You are not some brat with ridiculous dreams, be an adult and think of something normal!
US: WHAT!? That's so rude! Do you have a better idea!?
UK: Oh, yes, well... How about counting sheep when your having trouble falling asleep?
US: Uugh... I can smell the old in that idea.
UK: It's called traditional.
US: I suppose, it works so well it's pretty much a natural solution for everyone, but... Why do we count sheep? Is there some sort of hidden meaning behind counting sheep?
UK: Oh, yes, there is an explanation for that. America, try saying 'hitsuji' in English.*
US: SHEEP, right?
UK: And 'nemuri'?
US: SLEEP, obviously!
UK: Okay, so try saying them both in English.
US: Sheep, sleep. Sheep, sleep. Seep, sleep. Sleep, sleep- OH! They sound the same!
UK: I know, right!? In English speaking countries, they say the history of counting sheep to help you sleep is based on the fact that the pronunciation of 'sheep' and 'sleep' are so close! Or so they say.
US: Eh! Eeh!? Eeeeh!? I didn't know that!
UK: Well, there's also the explanation that doing or saying something repetitively will lull you to sleep, sheep or not.
US: What!? And the first explanation was so interesting! That's kind of a disappointment.
UK: Old stories are kind of like that, handed down for so long like they are. It's not like we can get proof that the first explanation is true or not. Rather than dwell on the basis of the myth, isn't it more important that it works? It's been like that forever.
US: Hmm, well... I don't really feel enlightened or anything...
UK: Anyway, our colleagues have suggested many other things, and I'm sure they have their reasons. The important part is finding one that works for you, and the fact that you believe in that one is-
US: AAH! WAIT, WAIT ENGLAND! Stop wrapping stuff up like that! I'm the chairman here!
UK: Fine, fine! Jesus... Well, go on, make your conclusion.
US: Ahem. In conclusion, we've talked about a bunch of solutions here today. I'm sure if you try them out, you'll find one that works for you! And if you find one, share it with those nations you are close to. The important part is believing! If you believe in it, you can definitely do it! You'll be a-okay! YES. WE. CAN. With everyone in the world facing this sleepy problem head on, we can conclude our meeting! GOOD NIGHT.
*The 'sheep-sleep' pronunciation explanation was a little weird if both sides were in English, so you get a little Japanese lesson as well. :3
6. アメリカとおやすみ [AMERIKA TO OYASUMI] Good Night with America
US: Hey! It's you, huh? Asking me to save you...Ha Ha Ha! Even if you're inclined to worry, the Hero is already here so there's no need! Okay! Where are the bad guys? I'll exterminate them for you with a huge KA-POW!
Huh? Am I wrong? About what? Whaaaat? You don't need me to chase them out? And I was really looking forward to it, too. Ah-! You wanna eat a hamburger? ...okay! I'll eat them myself!
[NOMNOMNOMNOM]
Ooh~ I see. You can't get to sleep, so you'd like me to help put you to sleep. Mission accepted! Do you have any sort of request? ...oh, mhm, ahah, okay, hmm, mhm, aaah~ Okay, I get it, mhm, mhm... Okay! If we just count sheep, that should do the trick, yeah? You're just like England, suggesting such a classic go-to-sleep method, but I'm a Hero, y'know, so I'll definitely grant your request!
Have you finished preparations? Okay, then hurry up and get into bed. I'm gonna start counting!
One SHEEP! Two sheep, three sheep, four sheep, five sheep YAY! SIX SHEEP! Seven sheep, eight sheep! Nine sheep, TE~N...SHEEP!
How was that? My counting definitely makes you want to slee...it doesn't? Ha Ha Ha! Don't worry about it! We're only at ten sheep, after all. We'll just start where we left off. YOOHOO!
Huh? What is it? Eeeeeh? You don't like the way I count? Well, actually, England said the exact same thing the last time I did that, but...really, you guys! I guess it can't be helped... Okay! I don't really like slow, deliberate counting, but I'll try!
Eleven sheep. Twelve sheep. Thirteen sheep. Fourteen sheep. Fifteen sheep. Sixteen sheep. Seventeen sheep. Eighteen sheep. Nineteen sheep. Twenty sheep.
...you still can't sleep? I'm getting tired of counting sheep. I definitely think it would be much more fun if we counted hamburgers or ice cream. Yeah...but the last time I tried to count my special items, someone got super pissy and yelled You can't go to sleep counting that crap! so I wonder if it's no good after all...
Huh? Ha Ha! Even if you didn't make that super worried look, I'm not going to just stop halfway through! Because I'm a Hero. I cannot ignore a person in need! Ookay, cover up with your blanket and snuggle in! If you don't pull it up all the way to your shoulders, the dreaded Cold Monster* will come and get you! Personally, I've never been caught by him.
All snuggled in? You're not cold, are you? Okaay! Let's start counting again!
Twenty one sheep. Twenty two sheep. Twenty three sheep. Twenty four sheep. Twenty five sheep. Twenty six sheep. Twenty seven sheep. Twenty eight sheep. Twenty nine sheep. Thirty sheep.
Oh~! Are you sleepy yet? If I count like that, it's pretty effective isn't it? Huh? Me? Well...in the past, when I had trouble sleeping, there was definitely times when someone counted sheep for me just like this. It's a little embarrassing, but I would doze off pretty fast. I don't know why, but the person counting always fell asleep first. Come on, you were so close to falling asleep, I don't need to tell you any more of this story, right? I'm gonna start counting again, so close your eyes. Okay, here I go!
Thirty one sheep~ Thirty two sheep. Thirty three sheep. Thirty four sheep. Thirty five sheep. Thirty six sheep. Thirty seven sheep. Thirty eight sheep. Thirty nine...sheep. Forty...sheep. Forty one...sheep. Forty two sheep. Forty three...sheep. Forty four...sheep. Forty five...sheep. Forty six...sheep. Forty seven...sheep. Forty eight sheep. Forty nine...sheep.... Fifty....sheep.....
Looks like your sleeping peacefully. Heros really can do anything, huh? Hehehe, if you have any problems in the future, just call me, okay? If you're in Manhattan, I can use the metro and be there in an instant. Even if you're not in Manhattan, though, I'm** always in your heart. Good night.
*As in, you'll catch a cold. Not brrrr-cold.
**Technically, he said 'Heros are always in your heart,' but since he's the only hero in this conversation, I took an artistic liberty. :3
7. イギリスとおやすみ [IGIRISU TO OYASUMI] Good Night with England
UK: Ah? You? Asking me to count sheep for you...man... Why would I have to do something like that? Yes, I know counting sheep is something you do when you can't sleep. What I meant was why do I have to count sheep for you. Wait-! Why are you crying? I wasn't that harsh, was I? Ah~ crap, here, use my handkerchief!
What's the matter...did something happen? You can't sleep, but is it so bad that you have to cry? Well, if that's the case then....wut? You were just yawning and your eyes started...watering... You brat... Don't mess with me! I was seriously worried there. ...shit. Go on, get into bed already! I'll count, okay!! Sheep...
It must be pretty hard to be so tired, you know, yawning like that, and not able to sleep... D-Don't get the wrong idea, though! I'm just counting because if you don't go to sleep, I can't go home. I'm not doing it for you or anything... Okay, are you ready? I'm going to start counting.
One sheep. Two sheep. Three sheep. Four sheep. Five sheep. Seven sheep. Eight sheep. Nine sheep. Ten sheep.
You said you had trouble sleeping, but you're not even drowsy? Geeze... I suppose being drowsy is better than not being able to sleep. Uhm...do you think you can sleep now? Oh, okay. When I counted for America before, it didn't work very well, but...hmm, even if you're not a child, my counting can be pretty effective.* Ah-! I was just talking to myself. Never mind that, I'll just continue counting.
Eleven sheep. Twelve sheep. Thirteen sheep. Fourteen sheep. Fifteen sheep. Sixteen sheep. Seventeen sheep. Eighteen sheep. Nineteen sheep. Twenty sheep. Twenty-
Oh, you guys! You came all the way out here? Right now, I'm helping this person go to sleep. You guys know people who count sheep too, right? I guess it works pretty well. Hm? Oh, these guys? They're pretty cute, aren't they? They're all fairies that live with me. If I'm a little late in returning home, they'll come and get me. Haha, the pixie seems to have taken a liking to you. Since they came all the way over here, go ahead and pet her. Hahaha, why are you petting the air when nothing's there? Are you half asleep? She's on your left, your left.
Oh, well, you guys can go home ahead of me. Sorry that you came all the way to get me and I can't go home with you. Bye, bye! Be careful on your way home.
Oh, sorry. It got kind of noisy there for a bit. Did I wake you up? Oh, okay, good. By the way, what kind of fairies do you have in your house? Do they sing? How about alchemy? Or start fires, or call storms, or curse people, or trample things!? Huh, what's wrong? You're making a weird face. Oh, sorry. I got carried away. Shall I continue counting sheep? Okay, we were at twenty...one? Right? Here I go.
Twenty one sheep. Twenty two sheep. Twenty three sheep. Twenty four sheep. Twenty five sheep. Twenty six sheep. Twenty seven sheep. Twenty eight sheep. Twenty nine sheep. Thirty sheep.
Oh, sorry, I just remembered something from my past. I've done this before, you see. I was just thinking it's a bit nostalgic... Ah, never mind, though, it's nothing. Ah~ just when you were about to fall asleep I got sidetracked again. Okay, here's the last group of sheep, close your eyes. Ready? Okay.
Thirty one sheep. Thirty two sheep. Thirty three sheep. Thirty four sheep. Thirty five sheep. Thirty six sheep. Thirty seven sheep. Thirty eight sheep. Thirty nine sheep. Forty sheep. Forty one sheep... Forty two sheep... Forty three sheep... Forty four sheep... Forty five sheep... Forty six sheep... Forty seven sheep... Forty eight sheep... Forty nine sheep... Fifty sheep...
Even though you said you couldn't sleep, you look so peaceful right now. I should probably head home though. This British Gentleman can't stay in your bedroom forever, after all. May you be protected by the fae... Good night.
*I believe he's referencing what America said earlier, about the 'person who's counting' falling asleep first. If he fell asleep before America, of course he'd think counting didn't work for his little colony (even though it did). :3
I'm surprised no one has translated this yet. The undertone of tracks 6 and 7 is basically America and England sleep in the same bed. A lot.
My favorite part was America's first attempt at counting. I hope you guys enjoy! :3