Anshi at the Eastern Ocean: (Water’s Harmonious Tonal Aspects)
安 石 在 东 海： 水 调 歌 头
安 石 在 东 海
从 事 鬓 惊 秋。
中 年 亲 友 难 别
丝 竹 缓 离 愁。
一 旦 功 成 名 逐
准 拟 东 还 海 道
扶 病 人 西 州。
雅 志 闲 轩 冕
遗 恨 寄 沧 洲。
岁 云 暮，须 早 计
要 褐 裘。
故 乡 归 去 千 里
佳 处 辄 迟 留。
我 醉 歌 时 君 和
醉 倒 须 君 扶 我
惟 酒 可 忘 忧。
一 任 刘 玄 德
相 对 卧 高 楼。
An Shi Zai Dong Hai: (Shui Tiao Ge Tou)
An shi zai dong hai
Cong shi bin jing qiu.
Zhong hian qin you nan bie
Si zhu huan li chou.
Yi dan gong cheng ming zhu
Zhun ni dong huan hai dao
Fu bing ren xi zhou.
Ya zhi xian xuan mian
Wei hen ji cang zhou.
Sui yun mu, xu zao ji
Yao he qiu.
Gu xiang giu chu qian li
Jia chu zhe chi liu.
Wo zui ge shi jun he
Zui dao xu jun fu wo
Wei jiu ke wang you.
Yi ren liu xuan de
Xiang dui wo gao lou.
Anshi At the Eastern Ocean: Water’s Harmonious Tonal Aspects
Took a government job when at the start of middle age
White hair, difficult to leave family and friends.
Play silk-bamboo music so one can leave with worry
One day you will achieve success and win recognition.
Then come back on the road from the eastern ocean
In spite of illness, serve the people of Xizhou
Even with the best of intentions, you are stranded and stuck in your imperial position
Only regret, never to experience the solitude and peace of a river islet.
Clouds and my age at dusk, must follow earlier plans
Want a simple life without fancy clothes.
Hometown still more than one thousand li away
Being delayed and detained from there.
When drunk, I can sing of the seasons for you.
If I fall down drunk, you can hold me up
Only with wine is one able to forget worry and care.
Like King Liu Xuande, do not have to explain myself to the critics
He and I sit face to face in the high tower.
Notes:
[The description at the end of the title identifies the name of the music which these lines are to be sung to.]
Xizhou: An area of Bai people near the city of Dali in Yunnan Province.
King Liu Xuande: (161-223 AD) Warlord during the Eastern Han dynasty and then emperor of Shu Han from 221-223.