by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
击鼓
Language: Chinese (中文)
Available translation(s): ENG
击鼓其镗,
踊跃用兵。
土国城漕,
我独南行。
从孙子仲,
平陈与宋。
不我以归,
忧心有忡。
爰居爰处?
爰丧其马?
于以求之?
于林之下。
死生契阔,
与子成说。
执子之手,
与子偕老。
于嗟阔兮,
不我活兮。
于嗟洵兮,
不我信兮。
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) , "Strike the Drum", 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: 20
Word count: 20
Strike the Drum
Language: English  after the Chinese (中文)
Strike the drum, beat the drum,
Excitedly prepare for war.
While people reinforce the city,
I march alone south,
Accompanied by Sun Zizhong.
Against Chen and Song I march,
I can’t return home.
Worry fills my heart, anxiety clings to me.
Where shall I stay, where shall I live?
Where has my horse gone?
How can I find it?
Beneath the mountain trees.
Life and death have connected us,
With you, I make this pledge.
Holding your hand tightly,
Together, we'll grow old.
Oh, the pain of separation!
I won't live without you.
Oh, the sorrow of uncertainty!
Can’t keep my promise.
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: 20
Word count: 102