公元1079年暮春(史料记载为元丰二年三月)苏轼由徐州调任湖州。其时，词人在徐州任职仅两年。他长年在外为官，南北辗转，踪迹不定，飘如浮萍。这种颠沛流离的官宦生涯，使他很是伤感，自视为天涯流落之人。这次奉命调往湖州，天涯流落之感更加深重。赴任途中，苏轼百感交集，挥笔写下了这首著名的《江城子·别徐州》。

苏轼·《江城子·别徐州》

天涯流落思无穷，

既相逢，却匆匆。

携手佳人，和泪折残红。

为问东风余几许？

春纵在，与谁同。

隋堤三月水溶溶。

背归鸿，去吴中。

回首彭城，

清泗与淮通。

欲寄相思千点泪，

流不到，楚江东。

Upon Leaving Xuzhou

(to the tune of Jiangchenzi)

I've wandered the world for years, considering everything:

We are no sooner met than I must make plans for leaving.

We shake hands tearfully; trees shed the last blossoms remaining.

How many good times are left me? I ask the east wind;

And who will be my friends in what's left of Spring?

Between the Sui levees the Bian River in March is wide and murmuring.

Southward, to Huzhou, I'm bound, my back to the geese returning.

Looking back to Xuzhou I see the Si and Huai Rivers joining.

I'd send you my lonely tears in the River Huai,

But it doesn't flow past Huzhou, where I'll be pining.