TUNE: THE HIGHEST TOWER

最高楼

I am old now.

吾衰矣！须富贵何时？

Do I care for wealth and rank the world prizes?

富贵是危机。

Wealth and rank would lead to crisis.

暂忘设醴抽身去，

Mu left the king who neglected to serve him wine,

未曾得米弃官归。

And Tao would not bow for his stipend but resign.

穆先生，

Master Mu,

陶县令，

Prefect Tao,

是吾师。

I’ll learn from you.

待葺个园儿名佚老，

I’ll build a garden called “Recluse”

更作个亭儿名亦好。

And a pavilion where I may do what I choose.

闲饮酒，

I’ll drink at leisure

醉吟诗。

And chant with pleasure.

千年田换八百主，

Land changes hands from year to year in north and south.

一人口插几张匙？

How many spoonfuls could one put at once in his mouth?

便休休！更说甚，

Stop your old song!

是和非？