I Would Like to Share a Beautiful Traditional Chinese Poem with You The poem I'd like to share with you is "水调歌头" (Prelude to Water Melody), written by 苏轼 (Su Shi, not the Japanese cuisine Sushi :D).

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歆霏Hermione

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I Would Like to Share a Beautiful Traditional Chinese Poem with You The poem I'd like to share with you is "水调歌头" (Prelude to Water Melody), written by 苏轼 (Su Shi, not the Japanese cuisine Sushi :D). "水调歌头" is the name of a traditional Chinese melody to which a poem in the cí style can be sung. So it's a kind of tune rather than the real title of the poem. Different poets have written different lyrics to the melody, the one I'll introduce to you written by 苏轼 being one of the most famous. 苏轼 (1037-1101) is a major personality of the Song era and is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished figures in classical Chinese literature. 苏轼 suffered from political exile for a long time. He received a pardon in 1100 and was posted to Chengdu. However, He died when he was en route to his new assignment in the year 1101. Tough as his life was, 苏轼 always maintained positive attitude which was expressed in his works. "水调歌头" was written on the Mid-Autumn Festival in 1076, remembering his dear brother 苏辙 (Su zhe). Mid-Autumn Festival has been an important festival since Shang Dynasty and is a time of family reunions. Having been parted with his brother for 7 years, 苏轼 missed him extremely on this special festival. He hoped that though far apart, they were able to share the beauty of the same moon at the same time. That's how he wrote the legendary poem "水调歌头". Here is my favorite English version of the poem translated by 许渊冲 (Xu Yuanchong ), a great translator in China who is best known for translating Chinese ancient poems into English and French. (Due to the word limit, I have to attach a picture to present the original poem. Pinyin is also added to show how the lyrics rhyme.) The Midautumn Festival Tune: "Prelude to Water Melody" How long will the full moon appear? Wine cup in hand, I ask the sky. I do not know what time of the year It would be tonight in the palace on high. Riding the wind, there I would fly, Yet I'm afraid the crystalline palace would be Too high and cold for me. I rise and dance, with my shadow I play. On high as on earth, would it be as gay? The moon goes round the mansions red. Through gauze-draped window soft to shed Her light upon the sleepless bed. Why then when people part, is the oft full and bright? Men have sorrow and joy; they part or meet again; The moon is bright or dim and she may wax or wane. There has been nothing perfect since the olden days. So let us wish that man Will live long as he can! Though miles apart, we'll share the beauty she displays. Hope you enjoy it!

18 sep. 2019 06:21

Correcties · 11

I Would Like to Share a Beautiful Traditional Chinese Poem with You

START OF PART II—SEE PART I

Here is my favorite English version of it as translated by Xu Yuanchong (许渊冲), who is a translator par excellence in China, and best known for translating ancient Chinese poems into English and French. (Due to the word limit, I have to attach a picture to present the original poem. The use of Pinyin shows how the lyrics rhyme.)*/**

Hi, Hermione. As usual, “Whatever changes I made….” Jonathan 

*With some understatement, your first couple of sentences are not very clear. I can only hope that my (latest) revisions help to explain the situation, instead of to muddle it further, as they usually do!

**As you are writing in English, the vast majority of your text should be in it as well. Using the Chinese script for Su’s name, as well as the poem, makes it difficult, if not impossible, for the average non-Chinese reading individual to follow with any enjoyment. Finally, while humorous, I think you should omit the reference to the Japanese food, or at most, use it as a footnote. The use of it here, especially at the beginning of your text, greatly detracts from the seriousness of your post.

24 september 2019

I Would Like to Share a Beautiful Traditional Chinese Poem with You

The poem I would like to share with you below is "Shuǐdiào Gētóu – <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexagenary_cycle" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;">Bǐngchén</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Autumn_Festival" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: black;">Zhōngqiū</a>" (水調歌頭·丙辰中秋) by the Song Dynasty poet, Su Shi (苏轼; 1037-1101). By way of explanation, Shuidiao Getou (水调歌头) is the name of a traditional Chinese melody that serves as a basis for a poem in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ci_(poetry)" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(11, 0, 128);">cí</a> style, while Cí (詞) is one of the literary genres that are unique to the Song dynasty. As was the custom then, Su, as well as other poets, overlay different lyrics to make a poem based on this traditional Chinese melody, to aid in its recitation. While numerous poets have also written different lyrics to the melody, the one I will introduce to you now, is arguably one of the most famous.

In addition to his later fame for this poem, Su was also a competent government official and major personality of the Song era, and later on, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and influential figures in classical Chinese literature. In spite of his competence in his duties, and his immense artistic talents, he often clashed with other officials over policies that negatively affected those he represented, and as a result, endured two lengthy political exiles during his lifetime. From the last one, he finally received a pardon in 1100, as well as a new government posting in Chengdu. However, he died en route to assuming it in the year 1101.

As difficult as his life was, Su always maintained a positive attitude, an outlook that not only formed the basis of his artistic work, but also found ample expression in it. He composed Bingchen during the Mid-Autumn Festival in 1076, as he was thinking about his younger brother Su Zhe (苏辙; 1039–1112). This occasion has been an important festival since the days of the Shang Dynasty, and has often been a traditional time for family reunions. Having endured separation from his brother, for the past 7 years, Su greatly longed for his company, particularly during this highly celebrated and family oriented holiday. He contemplated the fact that even though they were far apart in physical distance, they somehow might be able to share the beauty of the same moon at the same time. Those were the reasons behind his words and his writing of this legendary poem.

END OF PART I—SEE PART II

24 september 2019