[updated September 2022]
The Liuyao and Shuidiao Melodies: (Poplar and Willow Tree Branches: Eight Poems): No.1
杨 柳 枝 词： 八 首
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杨 柳 枝 词： 八 首
六 幺 水 调 家 家 唱
白 雪 梅 花 处 处 吹。
古 歌 旧 曲 君 休 听
听 取 新 翻 杨 柳 枝。
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Yang Liu Zhi Ci: Ba Shou
Liu yao shui diao jia jia chang
Bai xue mei hua chu chu chui.
Gu ge jiu qu jun xiu ting
Ting qu xin fan yang liu zhi.
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The Liuyao and Shuidiao Melodies: (Poplar and Willow Tree Branches: Eight Poems): No.1
The Liuyao and Shuidiao melodies, every household knows how to sing
The Baixue Meihua is also played everywhere.
We do not need to listen to these ancient songs and former melodies
We get to hear the newly composed poplar and willow tree branch tunes.
Notes:
Liuyao and Shuidiao melodies: Perhaps court songs during the Southern Qi Dynasty for Emperor Wu (r. 482-493 AD).
Baixue Meihua: Literally means “white snow plum blossoms”. Traditional pipa and guqin music from the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420). Symbolic of people with high moral integrity like the plum blossoms that defy the falling snow and frost.