Shina no yoru 
Shina no yoru yo 
Minato no akari 
Murasaki no yo ni 
Noboru janku no 
Yume no fune 
Aa wasurarenu 
Kokyu no ne 
Shina no yoru 
Yume no yoru 
  
  
Shina no yoru 
Shina no yoru yo 
Yanagi no mado ni 
Lantan yurete 
Akai torikago 
Shina musume 
Aa yarusenai 
Ai no uta 
Shina no yoru 
Yume no yoru 
  
  
Shina no yoru 
Shina no yoru yo 
Kimi matsu yoru wa 
Obashima no ame ni 
Hana mo chiru chiru 
Beni mo chiru 
Aa wakaretemo 
Wasuraryo ka 
Shina no yoru 
Yume no yoru  What a night in China, 
What a night in China 
Harbor lights, 
Deep purple night, 
Ah, ship, 
The dreamship 
I can't forget 
The sound of the Kokyu. 
Ah, China night, 
A dream night. 
  
  
What a night in China, 
What a night in China, 
Over the willow window, 
A ramp was shaking, 
Chinese lady 
Was there like a bird, 
Singing love songs, 
Sad sounding love songs 
Ah, China night, 
A dream night. 
  
  
What a night in China, 
What a night in China, 
I was waiting in the parapet 
There was this girl in a rain 
The rouge on her cheeks 
Like flowers were in bloom, 
Forever, I will remember 
Even after we separated, 
Ah, China night, 
A dream night.  
 

Source: Club Nisei Japanese Music of Hawaii CD available from: www.cordinternational - China Night was popular during the years preceding WWII. Kokyu in verse 1, stanza 8 is a Chinese musical instrument.