Amanogawa nami wa tatsu tomo waga fune wa iza kogiidemu yo no fukenu ma ni

天の川波は立つとも我が舟は
いざ漕ぎ出でむ夜の更けぬ間に

Roma-ji: Amanogawa nami wa tatsu tomo waga fune wa iza kogiidemu yo no fukenu ma ni
English Translation: The Heavenly River—
though the waves should rise and roll,
this boat of mine here,
come, I'll row it out at once,
while the night is not yet late.
Meaning: Even if waves rise on the Heavenly River, come, I will row my boat out now, before the night grows late.
Commentary: Book Ten Autumn Miscellaneous Poems 2059

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Tanabata"
This poem, in the Herdsman's voice, resolves to row out before the night grows late even if waves rise on the Heavenly River. The Herdsman who in the preceding poem prayed that no waves would rise here resolves to row out even if they do, so the heart moves from wish to resolve. The last line is "before the night grows late," the same as in 2042 and 2054.

The first line, "the Heavenly River," names the river of departure.
In the second line, "nami wa tatsu tomo," "tomo" marks a concessive supposition: even if waves rise.
The third line, "my boat," names the vessel.
In the fourth line, "iza kogiidemu," "iza" is a word of urging and "mu" expresses intention.
The last line, "before the night grows late," is the ending repeated in the series.
Source: Manyoshu
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