念奴嬌 赤壁懷古 (宋) 蘇軾(1036~1101)

大江东去 浪淘尽 千古风流人物
故垒西边 人道是 三国周郎赤壁

乱石崩雲 惊涛拍岸 卷起千堆雪
江山如画 一时多少豪杰

遥想公谨当年 小乔初嫁了 雄姿英发
羽扇纶巾谈笑间 强虏灰飞烟灭

故国神游 多情应笑 我早生华发
人生如梦 一尊还酹江月
  
Memory at Crimson Cliff  (to the tune of Remembering Palace Maids)  tr. by S L Kong

The big river flows east
Awashed with its waves gone are so many heroes forgotten in history
Where on the west bank the old fortress stands
Premier Zhou Yu of the Three Kingdoms won at the Crimson Cliff his fame append

Jagged boulders extend high to pierce the overhanging clouds
Thundering waves serge to carve out the river banks
Rolling up a thousand mound of froths white as snow
For a motherland with such picturesque beauty
Many a gallant soul braved battles to show loyalty

I recall Premier Zhou Yu in yore
His new bride present he beamed to display his manhood people so adore
Wearing a silk hood and waving his plume fan he watched amid laughters
In witness of his planned victory the enemy boats were reduced to ashes

On a revisit in mind and spirit this land so eventful
Only the heroe’s premature grey hair made his loved ones to feel regretful
Life is but a passing dream
O moon to yi I drink
For your witnessing history calmly while shining on us your crystal gleam

1 thought on “念奴嬌 赤壁懷古 (宋) 蘇軾(1036~1101)

  1. Line 11 of the translation:
    “His new bride present he beamed to display his manhood people so adore” could be naughtily interpreted.

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