《雨霖铃》是宋代词人柳永的作品。本篇为作者离开汴京南下时与恋人惜别之作。词中以种种凄凉、冷落的秋天景象衬托和渲染离情别绪，活画出一幅秋江别离图。作者仕途失意，不得不离开京都远行，不得不与心爱的人分手，这双重的痛苦交织在一起，使他感到格外难受。他真实地描述了临别时的情景。全词由别时眼前景入题。

柳永 《雨霖铃》

寒蝉凄切，
对长亭晚，
骤雨初歇。
都门帐饮无绪，
留恋处，
兰舟催发。
执手相看泪眼，
竟无语凝噎。
念去去、千里烟波，
暮霭沉沉楚天阔。

多情自古伤离别，
更那堪，冷落清秋节！
今宵酒醒何处？
杨柳岸、
晓风残月。
此去经年，
应是良辰好景虚设。
便纵有千种风情，
更与何人说？

Cicadas Chill, Shrill
(To the Tune of Yulinling)
Liu Yong

Cicadas screech chill,
shrill, after a sudden shower.
By the roadside pavilion
in the evening, we are parting
outside the city gate, no mood
for the farewell drink, no strength
to tear ourselves apart, when
the magnolia boat urges me to board.
We gaze into each other’s eyes
in tears, hand holding
hand, all our words choked.
I’m sailing out, for thousands of miles
along the mist-enveloped waves,
the somber dusk haze
deepening against the boundless southern sky.

It’s been hard for lovers to part
since time immemorial.
How much more so
at this cold, deserted autumn!
Tonight, where shall I find
myself, waking from a hangover —
against the riverbank lined with weeping willows
the moon sinking, and the dawn rising
on a breeze? Year
after year, I will be far away from you.
All these beautiful scenes are unfolding,
but to no avail.
Oh, to whom can I speak
of this ineffably enchanting landscape?