by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
式微
Language: Chinese (中文)
Available translation(s): ENG
式微,式微,
胡不归?
微君之故,
胡为乎中露?
式微,式微,
胡不归?
微君之躬,
胡为乎泥中?
Notes from the researcher (Kairui Zhou): The text is from 诗经
(Classic [Collection] of Poems), a collection created between the 11th
and 7th centuries BCE (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_of_Poetry
[wikipedia] ). The source website was https://so.gushiwen.cn/gushi/shijing.aspx. This
type of ancient Chinese is written in an unbroken series of
characters, without modern punctuation, but the editor of the website
has added punctuation to provide a more structural feeling. We have changed the formatting
to allow the English translation to appear in parallel.
Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Kairui (Kerry) Zhou) , "Days Wane", copyright © 2024, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this page: Kairui (Kerry) Zhou
This text was added to the website: 2024-03-06
Line count: 8
Word count: 8
Days Wane
Language: English  after the Chinese (中文)
Sun wanes, day declines,
Why can’t we return home?
[If not] for the emperor,
Why would I still be working, lingering in the dews?!
Sun wanes, day declines,
Why can’t we return home?
[If not] for the lord’s well-being,
Why would I still be working, sinking in the mud?!
Translator's note: This specific poem is extremely popular, as it’s required to be recited by middle schoolers in China.
Authorship:
- Translation from Chinese (中文) to English copyright © 2024 by Kairui (Kerry) Zhou, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Based on:
This text was added to the website: 2024-03-06
Line count: 8
Word count: 49