TUNE: SHORTENED FORM OF MAGNOLIA FLOWER

减字木兰花

Last year this very night

去年今夜，

We drank beneath the flowers under the moon bright.

同醉月明花树下。

Tonight by riverside

此夜江边，

The moon is dim; we’re in a boat that willows hide.

月暗长堤柳暗船。

Where will you go, my friend?

故人何处？

Will you carry my parting grief to the river’s end?

带我离愁江外去。

Next year before the flowers,

来岁花前，

As we recall last year, we shall recall these hours.

又是今年惜昔年。