| 永遇樂 李清照 (1084-1155) | Tune: Sound Union Happiness Li Qing Zhao 江紹倫譯 |
| 落日鎔金 | The sun sets like molten gold |
| 暮雲合璧 | Evening clouds marbling cold |
| 人在何處 | Darling where are you |
| 染柳煙濃 | Dense smoke keeps willows in dye |
| 吹梅笛怨 | Sad tunes for mum blossoms the flute sighs |
| 春意知幾許 | Whence will spring arrive |
| 元宵佳節 | On Lantern Festival |
| 融和天氣 | Weather agreeable |
| 次第豈無風雨 | Wind and rain will follow |
| 來相召 | I thank friends of verses and wine |
| 香車寶馬 | Sending scented carriage steeds divine |
| 謝他酒朋詩侶 | In vain they invite |
| 中州盛日 | Remember happy days in the Capital |
| 閨門多暇 | Gathering in my home so pleasurable |
| 記得偏重三五 | Friends selected few and valuable |
| 鋪翠冠兒 | Heads topped with emerald |
| 撚金雪柳 | Filigree in gold |
| 簇帶爭濟楚 | Fashions vied invariable |
| 如今憔悴 | Now in languid air |
| 風鬟霜鬢 | With frosty disheveled hair |
| 怕見夜間出去 | I fear being seen in eve affairs |
| 不如向簾兒底下 | Preferring to lean behind window screen |
| 聽人笑語 | To listen others chat and laugh unseen |
hi, nice translation. may i leave my rendition below for comments/amendments?
thanks!
【永遇樂】 李清照
落日鎔金，暮雲合璧，人在何處？染柳煙濃，吹梅笛怨，春意知幾許。元宵佳節，
融和天氣，次第豈無風雨。來相召，香車寶馬，謝他酒朋詩侶。
中州盛日，閨門多暇，記得偏重三五。鋪翠冠兒，撚金雪柳，簇帶爭濟楚。如今憔悴，
風鬟霜鬢，怕見夜間出去。不如向，簾兒底下，聽人笑語。
Tune: Forever A-meeting Happiness Li Qingzhao
The setting sun, itself smelted like gold, taints all like gold;
Ev’ning clouds close ranks to form piece of sculpted jade, like so.
Alas! Where is my dear husband, though?
Willows dyed dripping green,
Thick chimney smokes rising, by all seen,
Plum-blossoms swaying in the breeze there,
Flute’s sad tunes from nowhere —
O! Vibrant Spring is now in the air!
On this fine ‘Everyone’s Birthday’ today,
The weather is warm, people are gay.
Despite all this, the wind and rain may not stay away!
I’m thankful for the invitation: Fragrant carriage, precious steeds,
Drinking friends, rhyming companions, come a-visiting at speed.
On this double feast day (this leap year) at the Middle Kingdom,
Be idling in their boudoirs, young ladies would seldom —
Enjoying bright lanterns and full moon is the common wisdom.
Ladies’ new hats adorned with fine feathers and jade green,
Bright, gold-trimmed silk-flower cutouts are sharp and clean.
But, I’m so dreary,
And I’m so weary!
Of wind and frost, my graying hair has its share;
Going out after dusk, I do not care.
It’s better to sit by the curtain, out of sight,
Listening to the people’s talks and laughter at night!
frank