临江仙.送钱穆父 A Farewell Drink with Qian Mufu

A Farewell Drink with Qian Mufu

-to the tune of The Celestial Man by the River

Chinese original: Su Shi (11th AC, social name 'Dongpo')

English version: Julia Min (Mar. 2024)

Since we last parted at the capital’s gate,

Three times we’ve changed the wood for fire.

You roam the world not by choice but by fate,

But still, the breath of spring in the same smile:

An old well, deep and still, stirs no wave;

An autumn bamboo with joints stands upright.

It’s a shame tonight will see you sail away,

All alone under a pale moon and drifting clouds.

When can we drink together again after today?

And you, singing girl, don’t frown your brow:

Life is just a long journey of toil and moil;

And I, too, am a wanderer in the endless crowd.

Appreciation:

In 1091, Su Shi returned to govern Hangzhou in eastern China. It was a very productive time for him, not just in poetry but in his contributions to the city. His friend Mufu, however, was undergoing a downturn in his career, being assigned from the capital to Yuezhou, a populous place south of the Yangtse River, and then to Yingzhou, a desolate town up north that had been heavily struck by earthquakes, floods, and a long drought. The grim prospect of the challenging post as Yingzhou Governor could have crushed a gentleman’s hope for a promising career, but Qianmu was a man with a free and easy spirit, still able to stay optimistic with a smile about the hardship ahead. Dongpo deeply admired his sophisticated and mature personality, comparing him to a calm well surface and bamboo of upright integrity.

Then he felt a bit sad as the short reunion came to an end, sighing that his friend had to continue his journey up north. Well, sadness could touch him, but it never stayed with him for long, as we all know. His optimistic vigour would soon turn him to the sunny side, or at least, towards a broad-minded acceptance of sufferings, making peace with whatever comes along on his own journey. The whole poem is about his friend, but every line also reflects Dongpo himself.

My English version sought to breathe life into both the parting sentiment and the wry self-awareness of the original, letting Su Shi's voice speak through a different language — without smoothing over his quiet helplessness or humour.

临江仙.送钱穆父

原作: 苏轼（字子瞻, 号东坡居士; 11世纪北宋）

英译: 闵晓红(2024.03)

一别都门三改火，

天涯踏遍红尘。

一笑仍然作春温。

无波真古井，

有节是秋筠。

惆怅孤帆连夜发，

送行淡月微云。

樽前不用翠眉颦。

人生如逆旅，

我亦是行人。

Reference:

1. picture from 知乎@李兆香