林花谢了春红，
太匆匆，
无奈朝来寒雨晚来风。
胭脂泪，
留人醉，
几时重，
自是人生长恨水长东。
In the tune of “Crow Calling at Night”*
Li Yu (937-978)
Translation by YK Chan 陈耀国译:
Flowers in the grove falling: gone is spring’s brilliance,
Too hastily and soon;
Chilling rain at morn and evening breeze bring helpless gloom.
Blood-rouge tears–
Bewildering but endeared,
When could there be recurrence?
Life-long regrets forever flow like a river thence.
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*又名《相见欢》、《秋夜月》、《上西楼》。This tune title is also known as
“Rendezvous Joy”, “Moonlit Fall Evening”, or “Ascending Western Block”.
hi, y k,
inspired by your fine rendition, may i leave my alternative version below?
乌夜啼 (南唐) 李煜
林花谢了春红，
太匆匆，
无奈朝来寒雨晚来风。
胭脂泪，
留人醉，
几时重，
自是人生长恨水长东。
Tune: “Wu Ye Ti” (Ravens Cawing in the Night) Li Yu (South Tang)
Blossoms in the grove and Spring’s hues are gone!
Too soon they come and pass on…
Morn’ng cold rain and e’ening breeze are here, still.
Down powder’d fair face tears spill,
I ‘m drunk with your endear’ng eyes –
When, again, will you come by?
Life’s enduring griefs and woes never cease,
Like the endless Great River rushing east!
frank