[English translation] 醉 - Drunken

作曲 : 徐夢圓 (Xu Meng Yuan)
作詞 : 溫莨 (Wen Liang)


*There are a few covers of this song, and the original video I planned to embed had been taken down from Youtube when I was working on the translation, for reasons unknown. Anyway, here's the same video from Bilibili, the original uploading site, if I'm not mistaken.

三无 (San Wu's Cover): https://www.bilibili.com/video/av8807514/
冷鸢 (Leng Yuan's Cover): https://www.bilibili.com/video/av8673782/
Alternate Youtube video (without the music video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U38W1a_XCtE

EDIT: San Wu uploaded her cover with the music video on her official channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRmgw-apIug
*****

小城裡 有一位 姑娘
撐起傘 過雨巷
裙角惹丁香

In this little town, there was a young maiden

She held an umbrella while passing through the rainy alleys

Corners of her dress stole the scent of cloves

一步走 一步向回望

泛皺的 眼波裡 掩映著溫柔鄉

With every step forth she glimpsed back

Ripples in her eyes hid a gentle realm

也許是 風兒輕輕撞

這雨水 悄搖晃 晃進了時光

Perhaps it’s the wind gently knocking

rain quietly swaying, that ushered me back in time

還在想 吟誦詩兩行
那身影 早已經 轉身繞過花牆

I was only about to recite a line of poem or two

when that figure disappeared round the corner of a flowered wall

門樓旁 倚著老街坊
半支小調哼著唱
唱伊人何方

Leaning on the shops by the ancient streets

humming half a little tune

“where should you be” I sung

一雙眼 已泛起濁黃

你卻仍 似過往
那般婉兮清揚

Eyes already tinged with a murky yellow

Yet you remained, as always

That graceful and lovely

雨傘下 是故人模樣

世間事無常
還是一夢黃粱

Under the umbrella was your likeness of old

Unforeseeable and fleeting, as this world goes

or is it but a dream of mine

出弄巷 聞見了杜康
歲月長 又何妨
半醒好相忘

Out of the alley, I smelled the gift of the god of wine

Why be bothered by the tedium of years ahead?

Being half-awake’s conducive for forgetfulness

###

一雙眼 已泛起濁黃

你卻仍 似過往
那般婉兮清揚

Eyes already tinged with a murky yellow

Yet you remained, as always

That graceful and lovely

雨傘下 是故人模樣

世間事無常
還是一夢黃粱

Under the umbrella was your likeness of old

Unforeseeable and fleeting, as this world goes

or is it but a dream of mine

###

小城裡 有一位 姑娘
撐起傘 過雨巷
裙角惹丁香

In this little town, there was a young maiden

She held an umbrella while passing through the rainy alleys

Corners of her dress stole the scent of cloves

一步走 一步向回望

泛皺的 眼波裡 掩映著溫柔鄉

With every step forth she glimpsed back

Ripples in her eyes hid a gentle realm

也許是 風兒輕輕撞

這雨水 悄搖晃 晃進了時光

Perhaps it’s the wind gently knocking

Rain quietly swaying, that ushered me back in time

還在想 吟誦詩兩行
那身影早已轉身繞過了花牆

I was only about to recite a line of poem or two

When that figure disappeared round the corner of a flowered wall

天微亮 漸白的東方
三寸光 透過窗
送你出舊巷

Dawn broke, with the brightening eastern horizon

Inches of light seeped through the window

To send you out of the old alleyway

一步走 一步向回望

泛皺的眼波裡 似有萬語深藏

With every step forth you glimpsed back

Ripples in your eyes hid much that was unspoken

也許是路遠巷狹長
這目光 露鋒芒 卻猝不及防
似誓要 揭穿所有謊

卻輕易 在心上 劃下了一道癢

Perhaps it was a road too far, an alley too harrowing
Sharp glimmers in those eyes struck me unprepared

As if vowing to uncover all my lies

But instead carved an itch upon my heart effortlessly

又聞見 婆婆的佳釀

一縷纏綿繞鼻香
驚醒了孟浪

Again I smelled grandma’s fine brew

A sweet, lingering trail of scent

That startled me from my careless preoccupations

猶記得 貪杯把酒嘗

三杯二壺一壇

再無力伴斜陽

I still remember being driven to the wine

Three cups, two flagons, then one jug

No longer able to accompany the setting sun

出酒坊 醉在柳樹旁
應是日有所想 太虛境游一場

Stumbling out of the winehouse, I collapsed by the willow tree

Suppose one’s obsession by day manifested itself in the realm of dreams

卻無恙 回到這間房

桌案上 靜靜放 一碗紅豆湯

Yet I find myself comfortably back in this room

And on my table quietly sits a bowl of red bean soup

小城裡 有一位 姑娘
撐起傘 過雨巷
裙角惹丁香

In this little town, there was a young maiden

She held an umbrella while passing through the rainy alleys

Corners of her dress stole the scent of cloves

一步走 一步向回望

泛皺的 眼波裡 掩映著溫柔鄉

With every step forth she glimpsed back

Ripples in her eyes hid a gentle realm

也許是 風兒輕輕撞

這雨水 悄搖晃 晃進了時光

Perhaps it’s the wind gently knocking

Rain quietly swaying, that ushered me back in time

還在想 吟誦詩兩行
那身影早已轉身繞過了花牆

I was only about to recite a line of poem or two

When that figure disappeared round the corner of a flowered wall

******

Story 

*Written by a fan in the comments, not sure if it's canon but here goes:

如今的上海動盪不安，當看到報紙上的新聞時，我不禁又回憶起了那個女孩。
隨著回憶的深陷，恍惚之間，好似又回到與她初遇的那天……

淅淅瀝瀝的小雨打濕了上海的弄巷，也打濕了我的心。
那天，我教書結束準備回家，在學校門口的小巷中，她持傘而過。
那曼妙的身姿，動人心弦的眼睛，我被其深深的吸引了。
等我從她回望時的溫柔眼神中清醒過來時，她已消失在了花牆的轉角。
那是我和她的初遇，無論何時想起都還記憶尤新。
後來，我終於再度在學校的門口遇見了她。
我邀請她進學校談話，發現她是個愛國情懷豐富的女子。
這樣的她，更加令我癡迷。
我倆相談甚歡，也稱得上志同道合。

然而，那時的上海頗為動亂，叛國投日的漢奸終於注意到了我們。
不得已，我們只能分開逃離。
離別之際，不，如今想來，那並不能稱為離別。
她為了讓我能順利離開，主動暴露了身份，偽軍把她抓了起了。
我逃離了偽軍的抓捕，帶著她留給我的書信和一根白色的羽毛。
她被抓的那天，是我哭的最傷心的一天。
心裡翻騰著說不出的滋味。
我才是那個應該被抓捕的人，她是無辜的。

她在最危機的時刻代替我被捕，而我……
婆婆釀造的酒香把我從回憶中拉了回來，常言道，日有所思夜有所夢。
屋內桌子上的那碗紅豆湯，卻仍是毫無徵兆的刺痛了我。
側眼報紙，報導的是如今的上海，雖然已經不像幾年前那番動亂，但也不是記憶中的上海。
物是人非，什麼都變了。
當我放下報紙，走上如今上海空曠的街道時，卻是說不上來的空虛。
漫無目的的行走著，行走著……

直到那抹熟悉的陌生的身影映入眼簾，我的眼睛再也****酸澀，眼淚止不住的流了下來。
歌舞廳的門口，一身華麗小姐服飾的正在招攬著客人。
當初清純的她已經被偽軍處死在了我的回憶中。
丁香花終究還是落入凡塵，即便是她，也依舊沒有逃離如今上海的黑暗。
望著她的身影，淚流不止的我卻無法張口喊出她的名字。
那個我永遠也不會忘記的名字，如今，卻變得格外的沉重。
終於，忙於招攬客人的她注意到了我，也終於認出了我是誰。
目光交合時，她已淚流滿面。
我和她，四目相對，淚流不止，卻久久沒有言語……

These are perilous times in the city of Shanghai. Peering down at the latest reports in the papers, I couldn’t help but to recall memories of that girl.

I found myself back on the very first day we met. Soft drizzle pattered down on the narrow alleys of Shanghai. Not only did it strike the wet pavements, my heart too, had not been spared.

I had just concluded teaching sessions for the day. In the alleyway outside our school gate, she walked passed with an umbrella over her head. That graceful poise, mesmerizing eyes, I couldn’t help but to fall for her. Just when I snapped out of her enchanted gaze, she disappeared around the corner of a flowered wall.

That was our first encounter. No matter when these memories come back to me, it stays perennially fresh in my mind.

I met her again at the school gate some time later. I invited her into the school for a friendly conversation and uncovered a strong patriotic spirit in her. That only left me even more infatuated. We got along splendidly, our ideals a close match.

Unfortunately, those were tumultuous times in Shanghai. We attracted the attention of traitors working for the Japanese. We had to part ways and run.

That was our farewell. No, in retrospect, you couldn’t quite call it a farewell.

She revealed herself to the enemies to ensure my safe escape. They had her captured, while I escaped with the letter and a single white feather she left me. I wept bitterly that day. Words cannot articulate the feeling that wretched and twisted in my heart. I was supposed to be the one. She was innocent. At the most critical moment, she took my place, but I…...

The smell of grandma’s brewed wine pulled me out of my reminiscences. As the saying goes, an obsession by day manifest in dreams by night. That bowl of red bean soup sitting on the table at home now a subtle thorn in me.

I gave the papers a sidelong glance. It wrote about the Shanghai today. Not as dangerous as it had been, but neither was it the Shanghai I remembered.

Objects, inanimate things, may remain. Not people though -- those had changed.

I put down the newspapers and strolled the empty streets of Shanghai. Without any particular destination in mind, I walked, and walked. Till that familiar figure entered my sight.

My eyes soured, and the tears couldn’t stop from there on.

At the nightclub’s entrance, a girl in an extravagant dress attended to her guests. I then realized, that innocent girl I knew had long been executed. The clove flower had fallen unto dusty earth in the end. Even she couldn’t escape the darkness that shrouded this city.

I couldn’t bring myself to call out her name. That name I’ll never forget has now become far too heavy.

Alas, she noticed me, and she recognized me.

When our eyes met, tears ran down her cheeks. It stayed that way for a long time, none of us uttering a single word.

***

This time I wanted to try something different from the usual styles. I liked the lyrics the first time I looked it up because of its evocative imagery. Plus, the electronic music mixed with historical themes here's pretty awesome.

*I own nothing but the translations.

[English translation] 不老梦 - Unaging dream

作詞/文案 (Lyrics/Story)：慕清明 (Mu Qing Ming)

作曲/演唱 (Music/Vocal)：銀臨 (Yin Lin)

編曲/混音 (Arrange/Mix)：灰原窮 (Hui Yuan Qiong)

二胡 (Erhu)：EZ-Ven

文案：

終南有墳，名不老。客奇之，問何故，言乃淮南翁主媗塚。

元光二年上巳，媗於渭水之濱遇振翊將軍韓衿，悅之。明年，河水決濮陽，上發卒十萬救決河，使衿督。媗送別，訴心意。衿以其年尚幼，婉拒之。

後三年，衿戍定襄，媗托尺素，書：妾已及笄。

復三年，媗隨姊陵探長安，約結上左右。每逢衿，且喜且怯。

又三年，媗疾，久不愈。衿隨大將軍青擊匈奴，媗恐不復見，追大軍十余里，終力竭。嗆血白衣，形銷骨立。

元狩元年，淮南衡山事發，陵媗皆下獄。衿欲面之，叩未央宮，額血流地，上弗允。媗殞，衿親葬於終南。後長安有歌曰：塋塋蔓草，歲歲不老；風雨如晦，死生為誰。

終南有墳，名不老。

Story:

There’s this grave on Mount Zhong Nan. People call it “The Unaging”.

A curiosity for travelers, they often asked the story behind it. They’d be told the tale of a young noble lady, who was the daughter to the lord of Huai Nan, and whose grave it belongs to.

The story began during the Double Third festival, in the second year of Yuan Guang. Noble lady Liu Xuan came across young General Han Jin by the river of Wei. She took a liking to him.

Another year passed. Raging floods ravaged the city of Pu Yang. The emperor ordered an emergency relief troop, and named Han Jin their commander. As Xuan sent the general on his way, she confessed her feelings for him. He declined her politely on the grounds of her tender age.

Three years passed. The general was then stationed at the city of Ding Xiang. Liu Xuan wrote to him: I’ve reached the age for marriage.

Another three years passed. Liu Xuan and her sister Liu Ling visited the capital Chang An by the orders of their father. They were to bring back news from the capital and befriend noblemen close to the emperor. She got to meet Han Jin in person once again, unable to stifle the overwhelming joy and nerves whenever she faced him.

Yet another three years passed. Liu Xuan fell ill, and recovery seemed far in sight. Han Jin joined the Great General in their military campaign against the Huns. Terrified that she’ll never see him again, she ran after the army for a full three miles, exhausting every last bit of her strength. Coughed blood stained her white robe, and her skeletal frame stood weak in the wind.

First year of Yuan Shou, the rebellion of Huai Nan broke out. Both sisters were thrown into prison. Han Jin pleaded mercy for Liu Xuan. So fervent was his appeal, his forehead bled after countless knocks against the palace floor. Mercy never came.

And so Liu Xuan died in prison. Han Jin oversaw the funeral himself and buried her on Mount Zhong Nan.

Later, such a song was circulated in Chang An:

Grass flourishes over her grave,

Year after year they never age;

Dark rains and winds cannot persuade,

For whose sake, her life she gave.

So there’s this grave on Mount Zhong Nan. People call it “The Unaging”.

***

等不到鬓雪相拥
重饮渭水畔那一盏虔诚
终究是绸缪青冢
替我将灞桥柳供奉

I am no longer here to wait, the embrace we’re due when our heads grow white
And once again down our cups by the waterfront, brimmed with our sincere exchange

In the end it’s only a prelude to the green burial mound
I plead you to offer a willow branch for my sake

来世再漱月鸣筝
也许还能道声久别珍重
天意总将人捉弄
怎奈何身不由己情衷

In our next life, let’s pluck our zithers under the rinsed moon
Perhaps then we can wish each other “so long, take care”
The will of heaven always toys with humans
It can’t be helped, when we have little say in our fate

于万人中万幸得以相逢
刹那间澈净明通
成为我所向披靡的勇气和惶恐
裂山海 堕苍穹

Fortune granted our union amidst a crowd of ten thousand
And at that very moment, everything was made clear
You’ve became my unbeatable courage and fear
Splitting mountains and sea, falling heaven and sky

爱若执炬迎风
炽烈而哀恸
诸般滋味皆在其中

Love is a torch raised on a march against the wind
A blazing spectacle, yet immensely sad
Mixed within emotions of every sort


韶华宛转吟诵
苍凉的光荣
急景凋年深情难共

My youth sang melodious tunes of
A desolate glory
So hurriedly the years wilt, there’s hardly enough left to share our deep passions

倏忽天地琉璃灯

光阴过处徒留皎月几盅

温柔了十方春冬

眷你眉目在我眼瞳

A sudden recollection struck, of flickering crystal lamps that filled our sight
Of many nights past with bowls of moonlight
Of the gentle warmth you gave through spring till winter
And of your features reflected in my eyes.

彼时击节讴新声

唱彻白首之约抱柱之盟

摩肩人步履匆匆

多少相遇能有始有终

By the festive beats of music that time

We sang our hearts out, of our vows of reunion
So hurriedly people shuffle by, shoulders brushing as they pass

How many meetings receive their worthy ends?

若要忘却年少轻狂的痛
从此后分赴西东
不如作蜉蝣麻衣霜染淋漓死生
恣朝暮 彀长空

Should we yearn to forget the pain of our unruly youth
and of our partings thereafter
We shall be mayflies, revelling in death and life

So to set ourselves free from the constraints of time, rising above the sky

卸去人间妆红
我终于读懂
痴心熬尽才可倾城

With adornments lifted from the realm of man

I finally understood
Only through dogged persistence can one hope to move the world

唯有亘古寒峰
能安葬浮生
至死不渝的一场梦

And only the mountain peaks, ancient and cold
Can rest mortal souls
It is a dream I remained loyal till death

　　

天光落笔波折
岁月都干涸
只剩别离来不及说

The sky cast its wavering fingers of light
Bringing about a draught of time
The only thing left unsaid is a goodbye

宁愿折心沐火
舍不得勘破
是你唇边夜雨清荷

I’d rather break my heart and bathe in flames
Than to break the thought
Of night’s drizzle and water lilies by your side

***

Footnotes:

This is a fictitious story set in the Western Han dynasty. The rebellion of Huai Nan was a historical event recorded in “Shi Ji” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Records_of_the_Grand_Historian), but Liu Xuan and Han Jin are characters created for this story.  

Double third festival (Shang Si) is an ancient festival on the third day of the third month on the Chinese calendar to celebrate the birth of Huang Di (the Yellow Emperor). It’s also a festival where single men and women were free to mingle, so it was sort of an equivalent to the ancient Chinese version of Valentine’s day. More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Third_Festival

The willow branch mentioned in the translation is plucked from the Bridge of Ba in Chang An, allegedly the place where many people held their farewells whenever someone left the cities. Interestingly, “willow” (柳 - liu) is a homophone to “stay” (留). As a custom people offered the departing person a branch of willow to express their wish for them to stay. https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E7%81%9E%E6%A1%A5/1945367

Since I wasn’t able to fully understand the ancient-styled text in which the story was written, I looked it up. The story translated to modern Chinese is in this link. https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%B8%8D%E8%80%81%E6%A2%A6

Again, this translation is rather heavily tweaked for the sake of coherence and flow. Some of it will come across weird, I think, if I translated it word for word. E.g. The last line “of night’s drizzle and water lilies by your side” is actually “by your lips”. But the imagery of water lilies by a person’s lips is… well.

Anyway, hope that was fun for you guys. Cheers and have a good day!

[Also, Blogger's formatting is driving me insane. I'm sorry if the text comes out messy, I tried to even out the spacing a few times but every time I publish, it goes all wonky. This isn't the only problem I've encountered so far and it takes me way too much time just to fix them. In fact, this I had to manually adjust to fit their arbitrary spacing for the published version that refuse to match the draft, and it's simply maddening (this thing eats algebra for breakfast, I suspect). If this goes on (i.e. I get sufficiently pissed) I may consider moving to other sites.]

*I own nothing but the translations.