[updated October 2022]
Chant a Song of the Early Reign of Emperor Xuanzong While Passing Through Guan Ting
咏 歌 圣 德 远 怀 天 宝 因 题 关 亭 长 句 四 韵
圣 敬 文 思 业 太 平
海 寰 天 下 唱 歌 行。
秋 来 气 势 洪 河 壮
霜 后 精 神 泰 华 狞。
广 德 者 强 朝 万 国
用 贤 无 敌 是 长 城。
君 王 若 悟 治 安 论
安 史 何 人 敢 弄 兵。
Yong Ge Sheng De Yuan Huai Tian Bao Yin Ti Guan Ting
Chang Ju Si Yun
Sheng jing wen si ye tai ping
Hai huan tian xia chang ge xing.
Qiu lai qi shi hong he zhuang
Shuang hou jing shen tai hua ning.
Guang de zhe qiang chao wan guo.
Yong xian wu di shi chang cheng.
Jun wang ruo wu zhi an lun
An shi he ren gan nong bing.
Chant a Song of the Early Reign of Emperor Xuanzong While Passing Through Guan Ting
Thinking of the early reign of Xuanzong, there was a culture of respect for the sacred, and a desire for peace and tranquility
Songs were sung down on earth for the whole united country.
Autumn has arrived with their strong and overflowing rivers
Mt. Taihua covered with frost like a ferocious splendid spirit.
Thousands of nations with an enhanced respect for virtuous Xuanzong
He used the able and virtuous as mortar for the Great Wall.
The emperor also read Zhi Anlun and came to a realization
How could the likes of An Lushan and Shi Shiming violently overthrow such a country.
Notes:
Emperor Xuanzong: (685-762) and (r. 713-756) Tang Dynasty emperor during the golden years of Chinese history.
Guan Ting: Area located near Mt. Taihua in Shandong Province. The most eastern mountain of the Nine Great Mountains of China. A metaphor for sunrises, birth and renewal.
Zhi Anlun: A book written by Jiayi (c. 200-169 BC), who was a Confucian poet and politician during the Western Han Dynasty.
An Lushan: (703-757) Important Tang Dynasty general who for years defended the empire on its northern borders. After years of preparation, he lead a successful rebellion against the imperial capitals of Luoyang and Chang’an, forcing Emperor Xuanzong and his government into retreat.
Shi Shiming: (703-761) (r. 759-761) Tang Dynasty general who grew up with, and followed, An Lushan.