TUNE: PARTRIDGE IN THE SKY

鹧鸪天

Drunk with mume blossoms, I won’t go homewards.

曾为梅花醉不归，

The beauties clinging to my sleeves, ask for verse fine.

佳人挽袖乞新词。

I write all in bright red on a belt of lovebirds;

轻红遍写鸳鸯带，

They try to fill my jadeite cup with dark green wine.

浓碧争斟翡翠卮。

I am already old,

人已老，

But old things are no more.

事皆非。

I can’t drink with flowers, my sleeves with tears are cold.

花前不饮泪沾衣。

Now I would only sleep with closed door,

如今但欲关门睡，

And let mume petals fly like snow in the sky.

一任梅花作雪飞。