望海潮     柳永 (987-1053)
Tune: Watching the Tides      Liu Yong (987-1053)   江紹倫譯

東南形勝    江吳都會    錢塘自古繁華
Southeast scenic splendor
Capital of ancient Kingdom Wu
Qiantang thrives today as ever

煙柳畫橋    風簾翠幕    參差十萬人家
Misty willows along painted bridges
Breezy windows their curtains green
To adorn a hundred thousand dwellings

雲樹繞堤沙  怒濤卷霜雪  天塹無涯    市列珠璣    戶盈羅绮競豪奢
Cloud-crowned tees surround the sandy banks
Roaring waves roll up a sky of snowy sands
This river extends to land’s end
Mounts of pearly jewels on display at the daily fair
Homes filled with splendid silk and satin array
Folks here compete in magnificent opulence

… 

重湖疊瓛清嘉      有三秋桂子  十裏荷花
Layers of lakes reflect the peaks and serene towers
Autumn fragrances linger with osmanthus flowers
Ten thousand li of blooming lotus

羌管弄晴    菱歌泛夜    嬉嬉釣叟蓮娃
Northern pipes play with sunshine
Water chestnut songs sung on starry nights
Old fishermen and native maidens beam with delight

千騎擁高牙  乘醉聽簫鼓  吟賞煙霞
A thousand stallions hoisting flags to bid your arrival
Tipsy you may best appreciate melodies of flutes and drums
Chanting praises for this wonderful land beneath the sun

異日圖將好景      歸去鳳池誇
On a future date you might render this grand scene in flowery narrations
And boast your experience to the court with warm affection