TUNE: SOVEREIGN OF WINE

兰陵王

A row of willows shades the riverside.

柳阴直，

Their long, long swaying twigs have dyed

烟里丝丝弄碧。

The mist in green.

隋堤上，

How many times has the ancient Dyke seen

曾见几番，

The lovers part while wafting willowdown

拂水飘绵送行色！

And drooping twigs caress the stream along the town!

登临望故国，

I come and climb up high

谁识京华倦客？

To gaze on my homeland with longing eye.

长亭路，

Oh, who could understand

年去岁来，

Why should a weary traveller here stand?

应折柔条过千尺。

Along the shady way,

闲寻旧踪迹，

From year to year, from day to day,

又酒趁哀弦，

How many branches have been broken

灯照离席。

To keep memories awoken?

梨花榆火催寒食。

Where are the traces of my bygone days?

愁一箭风快，

Again I drink to doleful lays

半篙波暖，

In parting feast by lantern light,

回头迢递便数驿，

When pear blossoms announce the season clear and bright.

望人在天北。

Oh, slow down, wind speeding my boat like arrow-head;

凄恻，

Pole of bamboo half immersed in warm stream!

恨堆积。

Oh, post on post

渐别浦萦回，

Is left behind when I turn my head.

津堠岑寂，

My love is lost,

斜阳冉冉春无极。

Still gazing as if lost in a dream.

念月榭携手，

How sad and drear!

露桥闻笛。

The farther I’m away,

沉思前事，

The heavier on my mind my grief will weigh.

似梦里，

Gradually winds the river clear;

泪暗滴。