Jing Ke and Gao Jianli 荆轲、高渐离
(Pre-Qin, Warring States period)
I have written about their stories for past songs, "Farewell by Yi River", as well as "Ancestor of Dragons", so do check them out.
For "Farewell by Yi River", the English translation are available as subtitles for the cover below, with stylised character designs by Wang Chuan Feng Hua Lu for the two historical figures.
Qu Yuan 屈原
(Pre-Qin, Warring States period, c. 340 BC – 278 BC)
Image source: https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E5%B1%88%E5%8E%9F/6109
Patriot and poet who died for his cause, a symbol of the idealistic statesman with noble ambitions. Born during the Warring States period, Qu Yuan was a man of exceptional talent with the political will to match. He harboured grand ambitions to build up his homeland, the Kingdom of Chu. He was also known to have held himself to a high moral standard and was compassionate to the people’s plight. His virtues won him the trust and support of the then King Huai of Chu (楚怀王) to push for a series of governmental reforms. However, his reforms evoked the ire and jealousy of his colleagues. They banded together to disparage and defame Qu Yuan before their king. This caused the king to first distant him, then dismissed him from his post and banished him from court altogether. While in exile, the court became increasingly corrupt as the kings heeded self-serving courtiers. Miscalculations after miscalculations finally led to the kingdom’s destruction. Devastated by the fall of his kingdom, despaired from the utter failure of his life’s mission, Qu Yuan completed his long form poem, “Li Sao” (translated as “The Lament” or “Encountering Sorrows”), then threw himself into the Miluo River, a tributary to the Xiang River.
In some records, it is said Qu Yuan met an old fisherman while trailing by the river. Upon learning about his predicament, the fisherman advised him with such words: “If the river water is clear, I can wash my hat in it. If the river water is murky, I can wash my feet in it.” But Qu Yuan could not accept compromising on his principles, so he chose instead to die for his cause. The Dragon Boat Festival (or Midyear festival, “Duanwu”), occurring around June every year, is set as a day of remembrance for Qu Yuan. It is also said that as a final gesture of appreciation, people threw rice dumplings (“zongzi”) into the river so that the fishes will eat those instead of Qu Yuan’s body, and made great commotion (e.g., rowing dragon boats) to drive the schools of fishes away.
Jiang Ziya / Jiang Shang / Jiang Taigong 姜子牙 / 姜尚 / 姜太公
(Pre-Qin, Zhou Dynasty, 1128 BC - 1015 BC)
A near mythical figure in the early ages of the Zhou dynasty, often considered one of the best and wisest royal advisors.
One day, when a Lord Ji Chang (姬昌) read his fortune for a hunting trip, it was predicted that he would find no beast, but exceptional talent to support his ambitions.
Therefore, he paid special attention when he saw an old man fishing by the Wei river.
The man had a long fishing pole, but with a fish line that was noticeably short. The oddest thing was, the hook was not a hook, but straight as a needle, hovering above water without any bait.
Source: https://www.sohu.com/a/590923230_121124722
Lord Ji Chang recognised that this was no ordinary man, and so approached him. He was struck by the wisdom in the old man’s political ideology, based upon duty and obligations as rulers and consideration for the people. This especially roused Lord Ji Chang’s interest, given the decay of the reigning regime by the ruthless and corrupt King Zhou of Shang (商纣王). This old man was none other than Jiang Shang, or Ziya by his courtesy name.
With great sincerity Lord Ji Chang invited the old man to be his advisor. This old man went on to lead victories after victories for his lord. In one decisive battle, he advised restraint for his lord’s army, for the Shang King’s army, having much pent up resentment for their ruler, would easily defect to their side. His predictions came true, and Lord Ji Chang became King Wen of Zhou (周文王), the founder of the Zhou dynasty.
He was also granted the title of “Taigong Wang” (roughly translated as Great Lord).
Trivia:
A common Chinese saying goes: “Jiang Taigong goes fishing - only the willing takes the bait” (姜太公钓鱼——愿者上钩).
Jiang Ziya as a character in the game and music production by “Wang Chuan Feng Hua Lu”. The official song 《归钓吟》is very crudely translated as “Song of the Returning Angler".
*I used official translated titles where available, otherwise I either kept their pinyin or did my own translation.
屈原：纪录片《鉴史问廉》
Qu Yuan: Documentary “Jian Shi Wen Lian”
姜太公：1990年版《封神榜》
Jiang Taigong: 1990 TV series “Investiture of the Gods”
高渐离：电视剧《秦时明月》
荆轲：电视剧《秦时明月》
Gao Jianli, Jing Ke: TV series “The Legend of Qin”
干将：2006年版《搜神传》
莫邪：2006年版《搜神传》
Gan Jiang, Mo Ye: TV series “Legend of the Demigods”
勾践：2007年版《卧薪尝胆》
Goujian: 2007 TV series “The Great Revival”
夫差：综艺《典籍里的中国第二季》
Fuchai: Variety show “China in Classics” 2nd season
白起：《大秦帝国之崛起》
Bai Qi: TV series “The Qin Empire III”
李斯：纪录片《中国》
韩非：纪录片《中国》
Li Si, Han Fei: documentary “Zhong Guo” or ”Middle Kingdom”
嬴政：2007版《秦始皇》纪录片《从秦始皇到汉武帝》
Ying Zheng: 2007 TV series “Qin Shi Huang”, documentary “From Qin Shi Huang to Emperor Wu of Han”
张良：电影《鸿门宴传奇》
韩信：电影《鸿门宴传奇》
刘邦：电影《鸿门宴传奇》
项羽：电影《鸿门宴传奇》
Zhang Liang, Han Xin, Liu Bang, Xiang Yu: 2011 movie “White Vengeance”
张骞：纪录片《河西走廊》
解忧公主：纪录片《河西走廊》
Zhang Qian, Princess Jieyou: Documentary “Hexi Corridor”
王昭君：1987版《王昭君》
Wang Zhaojun: 1987 TV series “Wang Zhaojun”
霍去病：2005版《汉武大帝》
卫青：2005版《汉武大帝》
刘彻：2005版《汉武大帝》
Huo Qubing, Wei Qing, Liu Che: 2005 TV series “The Emperor in Han Dynasty”
Interlude
王的盛宴 - 2012 movie "The Last Supper"
孙策：1994版《三国演义》
周瑜：1994版《三国演义》
赵云：1994版《三国演义》
Sun Ce, Zhou Yu, Zhao Yun: 1994 TV series “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”
阮籍：2003版《天龙八部》（cos）
Ruan Ji: 2003 TV series “Demi-gods and Semi-devils” (represented by another character)
嵇康：电影《东邪西毒》（cos）
Ji Kang: Movie “Ashes of Time” (represented by another character)
甄妃：电视剧《大军师司马懿之军师联盟》
Lady Zhen: TV series “The Advisor’s Alliance”
曹植：1994版《三国演义》
曹丕：1994版《三国演义》
Cao Zhi, Cao Pi: 1994 TV series “Romance of the Three Kingdoms”
谢玄：电视剧《琅琊榜》（cos）
Xie Xuan: TV series “Nirvana in Fire” (represented by another character)
谢道韫：电影《天真派：红楼梦之桃花诗社》（cos）、2007版电视剧《梁山伯与祝英台》
Xie Daoyun: Movie “Tian Zhen Pai: Hong Lou Meng Zhi Taohua Shishe” (represented by another character), 2007 TV series “Butterfly Lovers”
王羲之：2004版《凤求凰》（cos）
Wang Xishi: 2004 TV Series “Feng Qiu Huang”
陶渊明：纪录片《千古风流人物》
Tao Yuanming: Documentary “Qian Gu Feng Liu Ren Wu”
高长恭：2016版《兰陵王妃》
Gao Changgong: 2016 TV series “Princess of Lanling King”
花木兰：2020版电影《花木兰》
Hua Mulan: 2020 movie “Mulan”
平阳昭公主：2012版《穆桂英挂帅》（cos）
Princess Pingyang: 2012 TV series “Mu Guiying Takes Command”
武曌：电视剧《神探狄仁杰》
Wu Zhao: TV series “Amazing Detective Di Renjie”
李世民：电视剧《贞观之治》
魏征：电视剧《贞观之治》
Li Shimin, Wei Zheng: TV series “The Rise of the Tang Empire”
狄仁杰：电视剧《神探狄仁杰》
Di Renjie: TV series “Amazing Detective Di Renjie”
上官婉儿：1995版电视剧《武则天》
Shangguan Wan’er: 1995 TV series “Wu Zetian”
太平公主：《大明宫词》
Princess Taiping: TV series “Palace of Desire”
李隆基：纪录片《大明宫》
Li Longji: Documentary “Legend of the Tang Empire”
杨玉环：1993版电影《杨贵妃》
Yang Yuhuan: 1993 movie “Yang Guifei”
公孙大娘：纪录片《中国》
Madam Gongsun: Documentary “Zhong Guo” or “Middle Kingdom”
红拂女：电视剧《天盛长歌》（cos）
Hongfu/Red Duster: TV series ”The Rise of Phoenixes” (represented by other characters)
鱼玄机：电影《大唐豪放女》
Yu Xuanji: Movie ”An Amorous Woman of Tang Dynasty”
玄奘：1982版《西游记》
Xuanzang: 1982 TV series “Journey to the West”
袁天罡、李淳风：纪录片《中国》（cos）
Yuan Tianggang, Li Chunfeng: Documentary “Zhong Guo” or “Middle Kingdom” (represented by other character)
李白：1993版电视剧《唐明皇》
Li Bai: 1993 TV series ”Tang Ming Huang”
杜甫：纪录片《中国》
Du Fu: Documentary “Zhong Guo” or “Middle Kingdom”
元稹：《陆小凤传奇》（cos）
白居易：《陆小凤传奇》（cos）
Yuan Zhen, Bai Juyi: ”The Legend of Lu Xiaofeng”
李煜：电视剧《灼灼风流》（cos）
Li Yu: TV series “The Legend of Zhuohua” (represented by another character)
大周后：1996版电视剧《情剑山河》
Empress Zhou the elder: 1996 version ”Qing Jian Shan He”
薛涛：《苍兰诀》（cos）
Xue Tao: TV series “Love between Fairy and Devil” (represented by another character)
苏轼：2012版电视剧《苏东坡》
Su Shi: 2012 TV series “Su Dongpo”
陆游：纪录片《千古风流人物》
Lu You: Documentary “Qian Gu Feng Liu Ren Wu”
李清照：1988版电视剧《李清照》
Li Qingzhao: 1988 TV series “Li Qingzhao”
梁红玉：2013版《精忠岳飞》
Liang Hongyu: 2013 TV series “The Patriot Yue Fei”
赵匡胤：2005《问君能有几多愁》
Zhao Kuangyin: 2005 TV series “How Much Sorrow Do You Have”
王安石：电视剧《大宋宫词》（cos）
Wang Anshi: ”Palace of Devotion” (represented by another character)
佛印：电影《妖猫传》（cos）
Foyin: Movie “Legend of the Demon Cat” (represented by another character)
赵孟頫：综艺《斯文江南》
管道昇：综艺《斯文江南》
Zhao Mengfu, Guan Daosheng: Variety show “Si Wen Jiangnan”
欧阳修：纪录片《千古风流人物》
Ouyang Xiu: Documentary “Qian Gu Feng Liu Ren Wu”
王阳明：纪录片《王阳明》
Wang Yangming: Documentary “Wang Yangming”
于谦：电视剧《大明风华》
Yu Qian: 2019 TV series “Ming dynasty”
朱元璋：2008版《朱元璋》
马皇后：2008版《朱元璋》
Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma: 2008 TV series “Zhu Yuanzhang”
郑和：2009版《郑和下西洋》（《大航海》）
Zheng He: 2009 TV series “The Great Voyage” or “Zheng He Xia Xiyang”
黄道婆：2010版《天涯织女》
Huang Daopo: 2010 TV series “A Weaver on the Horizon”
宋应星：综艺《典籍里的中国》
Song Yingxing: Variety show “China in Classics”
祖冲之：镇江人才周宣传片
Zu Chongzhi: Zhenjiang talent week promotional video
王贞仪：综艺《国家宝藏》
Wang Zhenyi: Variety show “National Treasures”
汤显祖：《云襄传》（cos）
Tang Xianzu: TV series “The Ingenious One” (represented by another character)
蒲松龄：《皇太子秘史》（cos）
Pu Songling: TV series ”Huang Taizi Mishi” (represented by another character)
唐伯虎：2004版《聊斋之花姑子》（cos）
Tang Bohu: 2004 TV series ”Hua Gu Zi” (represented by another character)
冯梦龙：2010版《新西厢记》（cos）
Feng Menglong: 2010 TV series ”Romance of the Western Chamber” (represented by another character)
司马光：《清平乐》
Sima Guang: TV series “Serenade of Peaceful Joy”
班昭：综艺《典籍里的中国》
Ban Zhao: Variety show “China in Classics”
司马迁：纪录片《风追司马》、综艺《典籍里的中国》
Sima Qian: Documentary “Feng Zhui Sima”, variety show “China in Classics”
This is the list of historical figures alluded to in the song "Echoes of History". I intend to write short biographies for them, but this is a huge undertaking and am not able to complete it just yet. Links to those for which the write-ups are completed and published will be included, and the rest are still work in progress.
I can't promise that I can finish them all, but at least I figure I'll get as much out as possible. If not, feel free to do your own research by referring to this. Hope that helps!
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Historians
Sima Qian 司马迁 (145 BC- c. 86 BC) - author of the “Records of the Grand Historian”
Ban Zhao 班昭 (c.49 - c.120) - historian, educator, co-author of the “Book of Han”
Sima Guang 司马光 (1019 - 1086) - historian, author of the “Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance”
[Pre-Qin - Qin dynasty]
Qu Yuan 屈原 (c. 340 BC - 278 BC) - statesman, patriot, poet
Jiang Ziya 姜子牙 (1128 BC - 1015 BC) - strategist, military general
Gao Jianli 高渐离 - musician, zither player
Jing Ke 荆轲 (? - 227 BC) - assassin
Gan Jiang, Mo Ye 干将、莫邪 - swordsmith couple
Gou Jian 勾践 (496 BC - 465 BC) - King of Yue
Fu Chai 夫差 (495 BC - 473 BC) - King of Wu
Bai Qi 白起 (332 BC - 257 BC) - military general
Li Si 李斯 (280 BC - 208 BC) - prime minister to the first emperor
Han Feizi 韩非子 (c. 280 BC - 233 BC) - Legalist philosopher
Qin Shi Huang/Ying Zheng 秦始皇嬴政 (259 BC - 210 BC) - first emperor of China, founder of the Qin dynasty
[Chu-Han contention - Han dynasty]
Liu Bang 汉高祖刘邦 (256 BC - 195 BC) - Emperor Gaozu of Han, founder of the Han dynasty
Zhang Liang 张良 (c. 251 BC - 189 BC) - strategist, advisor
Han Xin 韩信 (231 BC - 196 BC) - military general, strategist
Xiang Yu 项羽 (232 BC - 202 BC) - Hegemon King of Chu
Zhang Qian 张骞 (195 BC - 114 BC) - diplomat, explorer
Princess Jieyou 解忧公主 (120 BC - 49 BC) - marriage alliance with the Wusun
Wang Zhaojun 王昭君 (c. 50 BC - 18 AD) - marriage alliance with the Xiongnu
Liu Che 汉武帝刘彻 (156 BC - 87 BC) - Emperor Wu of Han
Wei Qing 卫青 (? - 106 BC) - military general
Huo Qubing 霍去病 (140 BC - 117 BC) - military general
[Three Kingdoms - Jin dynasty]
Sun Ce 孙策 (175 - 200) - military general, warlord
Zhou Yu 周瑜 (175 - 210) - military general, strategist
Zhao Yun 赵云 (? - 229) - military general
Ji Kang 嵇康 (223 - 262) - zither player, musician, poet
Ruan Ji 阮籍 (210 - 263) - poet, writer, musician
Lady Zhen 甄夫人 (183 - 221) - Empress of the Cao Wei kingdom, believed to have inspired the image of the Luo River Goddess
Cao Zhi 曹植 (192 - 232) - Prince of Wei, poet, author of “Ode to the Luo River Goddess”
Cao Pi 曹丕 (187 - 226) - Emperor Wen of Wei, first emperor of the Cao Wei kingdom
Xie Xuan 谢玄 (343 - 388) - Military general, politician
Xie Daoyun 谢道韫 (? - 409) - poet, writer, calligrapher
Wang Xizhi 王羲之 (303 - 361) - calligrapher, writer
[Jin dynasty - Tang dynasty]
Tao Yuanming 陶渊明 (365 - 427) - writer, poet, hermit, author of “The Accounts of the Peach Blossom Spring”
Gao Changgong 高长恭 (541 - 573) - Prince of Lanling
Hua Mulan 花木兰 - military general
Princess Pingyang 昭平阳公主 (598 - 623) - military general
[Tang dynasty]
Li Shimin 唐太宗李世民 (598 - 649) - Emperor Taizong of Tang
Wu Zetian 武则天 (624 - 705) - the first and only woman emperor of China
Wei Zheng 魏征 (580 - 643) - political advisor, historian
Di Renjie 狄仁杰 (630 - 700) - political advisor, judge
Shangguan Wan’er 上官婉儿 (664 - 710) - stateswoman, scribe
Princess Taiping 太平公主 (665 - 713) - stateswoman
Li Longji 唐玄宗李隆基 (685 - 762) - Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
Yang Yuhuan 杨玉环 - Imperial consort
Madam Gongsun 公孙大娘 - sword dancer
Hongfu / Red Duster 红拂 - maidservant, advisor
Yu Xuanji 鱼玄机 (844 - 877) - poet, courtesan
Xuanzang 玄奘 (602 - 664) - monk, pilgrim, Buddhist scholar
Yuan Tiangang 袁天罡 (573 - 645) - astrologer, seer
Li Chunfeng 李淳风 (602 - 670) - astrologer, seer
[Tang dynasty - Song dynasty]
Li Bai 李白 (701 - 762) - Poet
Du Fu 杜甫 (712 - 770) - Poet
Yuan Zhen 元稹 (779 - 831) - Poet
Bai Juyi 白居易 (772 - 846) - Poet
Li Yu 南唐后主李煜 (937 - 978) - poet, last emperor of Southern Tang
Zhou Ehuang 大周后周娥皇 (936 - 965) - Empress Zhou the elder, first wife of Li Yu
Xue Tao 薛涛 (768 - 831) - Poet
Xin Qiji 辛弃疾 (1140 - 1207) - poet, military general, patriot
Su Shi 苏轼 (1037 - 1101) - poet, writer, statesman
Lu You 陆游 (1125 - 1210) - poet, writer, patriot
Li Qingzhao 李清照 (1084 - 1155) - Poet
[Song dynasty - Yuan dynasty]
Liang Hongyu 梁红玉 (1102 - 1135) - military general
Zhao Kuangyin 赵太祖赵匡胤 (927 - 976) - Emperor Taizu of Song, founder of the Song dynasty
Wang Anshi 王安石 (1021 - 1086) - statesman, reformer, poet
Zhao Mengfu 赵孟頫 (1257 - 1322) - artist
Guan Daosheng 管道昇 (1262 - 1319) - calligrapher
Foyin 佛印 (1032 - 1098) - monk, Zen master, storyteller
Ouyang Xiu 欧阳修 (1007 - 1072) - essayist, statesman, historian
*Zhang Bian 张昪 (992 - 1077) - Author of the Song dynasty poem “Grave of the Grand Historian Sima”
[Ming dynasty - Qing dynasty]
Wang Yangming 王阳明 (1472 - 1529) - philosopher, statesman
Yu Qian 于谦 (1398 - 1457) - patriot, military general, statesman
Zhu Yuanzhang 明太祖朱元璋 (1328 - 1398) - Emperor Taizu of Ming, founder of the Ming dynasty
Empress Ma 马皇后 (1332 - 1382) - Empress Xiaocigao, first empress of the Ming dynasty
Zheng He 郑和 (1371 - 1433) - admiral, explorer, diplomat
Song Yingxing 宋应星 (1587 - 1666) - scientist, author of the encyclopedia “The Exploitation of the Works of Nature”
Wang Zhenyi 王贞仪 (1768 - 1797) - astronomer, mathematician
Zu Chongzhi 祖冲之 (429 - 500) - astronomer, mathematician
Huang Daopo 黄道婆 (1245 - 1330) - textile innovator
Tang Xianzu 汤显祖 (1550 - 1616) - playwright
Pu Songling 蒲松龄 (1640 - 1715) - writer, author of “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio“
Feng Menglong 冯梦龙 (1574 - 1646) - novelist, historian
Tang Bohu 唐伯虎 (1470 - 1524) - artist, calligrapher
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鼓钟将将 淮水汤汤
淑人君子 怀允不忘
鼓钟钦钦 鼓瑟鼓琴
以雅以南 以籥不僭
For kindly gentlemen, remembrances cling
Drums and bells ring, to strum zither strings
To play regal tunes, harmonised with woodwinds
[Pre-Qin - Qin dynasty]
拨转 遥夜天星
Turn the stars of the distant night sky
回荡着潮起湘江 涛喧渭滨
Tides of River Xiang echo, waves of River Wei clamour
Qu Yuan 屈原 (c. 340 BC – 278 BC) - statesman, patriot, poet
Jiang Ziya 姜子牙 (1128 BC - 1015 BC) - strategist, military general
萧萧长风驰逐壮士之行
Soughing winds urge the hero’s departure
Gao Jianli 高渐离 - musician, zither player
Jing Ke 荆轲 (? - 227 BC) - assassin
雌雄剑 匣中鸣
Paired swords ring out from their chest
Gan Jiang and Mo Ye 干将、莫邪 - swordsmith couple
旌旗 翻卷姑苏云
Battle standards stir the clouds of Gusu
Gou Jian 勾践 (496 BC - 465 BC) - King of Yue
Fu Chai 夫差 (495 BC - 473 BC) - King of Wu
落雷激一片战吼 起长平
Thunder incites war cries over Changping
Bai Qi 白起 (332 BC - 257 BC) - military general
绳墨 裁量六合
Rope and ink, tailor the union of the six
Li Si 李斯 (280 BC - 208 BC) - chancellor to the first emperor
Han Feizi 韩非子 (c. 280 BC - 233 BC) - Legalist philosopher
铺展开万道同距的国境
Opening up a realm with paths by equal lengths measured
Qin Shi Huang/Ying Zheng 秦始皇嬴政 (259 BC - 210 BC) - first emperor of China, founder of the Qin dynasty
[Chu-Han contention - Han dynasty]
金铁因交戈铿锵
Metals clang as weapons clash
山河为壮心宽广
And lands broaden with ambition
斩蛇剑辟征途 举鼎称王
The serpent-cutting sword cuts a path forth, he who lifts the cauldron is pronounced king
Liu Bang 汉高祖刘邦 (256 BC - 195 BC) - Emperor Gaozu of Han, founder of the Han dynasty
Zhang Liang 张良 (c. 251 BC - 189 BC) - strategist, advisor
Han Xin 韩信 (231 BC - 196 BC) - military general, strategist
Xiang Yu 项羽 (232 BC - 202 BC) - Hegemon King of Chu
节杖指朔漠苍茫
The ambassador’s staff points at a desert bleak
Zhang Qian 张骞 (195 BC - 114 BC) - diplomat, explorer
千秋随雁鸣悠长
A dynasty resounds far as calls of migrant geese
Princess Jieyou 解忧公主 (120 BC - 49 BC) - marriage alliance with the Wusun
Wang Zhaojun 王昭君 (c. 50 BC - 18 AD) - marriage alliance with the Xiongnu
铁蹄驰骋行迹 划宇分疆
Tracks of armoured cavalry mark borders and realms
Liu Che 汉武帝刘彻 (156 BC - 87 BC) - Emperor Wu of Han
Wei Qing 卫青 (? - 106 BC) - military general
Huo Qubing 霍去病 (140 BC - 117 BC) - military general
[Three Kingdoms - Jin dynasty]
来去 散聚 百代
To come, to go, through the generations
破浪来 赤壁临眺
Breaking waves, peering across the Red Cliff
Sun Ce 孙策 (175 - 200) - military general, warlord
Zhou Yu 周瑜 (175 - 210) - military general, strategist
千帆竞发 英雄气概
Countless sails give chase, with the valour of heroes
Zhao Yun 赵云 (? - 229) - military general
穿林去 琴惊鬼神
Through the forest, zither music stuns even the spirits
Ji Kang 嵇康 (223 - 262) - zither player, musician, poet
Ruan Ji 阮籍 (210 - 263) - poet, writer, musician
宓妃应羡 辞章之神采
The River Goddess may awe at the eloquence of her namesake piece
Lady Zhen 甄夫人 (183 - 221) - Empress of the Cao Wei kingdom, believed to have inspired the image of the Luo River Goddess
Cao Zhi 曹植 (192 - 232) - Prince of Wei, poet, author of “Ode to the Luo River Goddess”
Cao Pi 曹丕 (187 - 226) - Emperor Wen of Wei, first emperor of the Cao Wei kingdom
飞雪散 江山不夜
Snow scatters through lands that never sleep
Xie Xuan 谢玄 (343 - 388) - Military general, politician
飘絮落入 名士的襟怀
Catkins fall into the embrace of noble scholars
Xie Daoyun 谢道韫 (? - 409) - poet, writer, calligrapher
松烟聚汇风流
Pine mists gather these romances
在一方砚台
At such places as an inkstone
Wang Xizhi 王羲之 (303 - 361) - calligrapher, writer
[Jin dynasty - Tang dynasty]
溯寻 桃源仙客
To trace the whereabouts of the peach blossom sage
Tao Yuanming 陶渊明 (365 - 427) - writer, poet, hermit, author of “The Accounts of the Peach Blossom Spring”
或拍马疾驰入阵 驱策烽火
Or spur one’s steed into enemy ranks, commanding signal flames
Gao Changgong 高长恭 (541 - 573) - Prince of Lanling
辞镜朱颜无需胭脂勾勒
The maiden parted from the mirror needs no touch of rouge
Hua Mulan 花木兰 - military general
扬沸血 添妆色
Boiling blood will have her cheeks coloured
Princess Pingyang 昭平阳公主 (598 - 623) - military general
[Tang dynasty]
鸿钟 向黎明朝贺
A great bell greets dawn in celebration
Li Shimin 唐太宗李世民 (598 - 649) - Emperor Taizong of Tang
Wu Zetian 武则天 (624 - 705) - the first and only woman emperor of China
燃犀照目如澄镜 辨诸恶
Eyes illuminated clear as mirrors, discerning all evils
Wei Zheng 魏征 (580 - 643) - chancellor, political advisor, historian
Di Renjie 狄仁杰 (630 - 700) - chancellor, political advisor, judge
也怕 春秋寂寞
Fearing too, those melancholies of the seasons
Shangguan Wan’er 上官婉儿 (664 - 710) - stateswoman, scribe
Princess Taiping 太平公主 (665 - 713) - stateswoman
趁椒花在枝且倾杯作乐
Seize the time of blossoming boughs for merry cheers
Li Longji 唐玄宗李隆基 (685 - 762) - Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
Yang Yuhuan 杨玉环 - Imperial consort
踏舞应雷霆狂歌
Dances ought come with thunderous songs
Madam Gongsun 公孙大娘 - sword dancer
知己携夜色奔波
One’s soulmate escapes under night’s disguise
Hongfu (Red Duster) 红拂 - maidservant, advisor
无价深情点画 芳华鲜活
Deep passions breath life to youth’s lovely charms
Yu Xuanji 鱼玄机 (844 - 877) - poet, courtesan
信仰同风沙跋涉
Faith journeyed along with sandstorms
Xuanzang 玄奘 (602 - 664) - monk, pilgrim, Buddhist scholar
真理与星辰共烁
And truth shines with the stars
Yuan Tiangang 袁天罡 (573 - 645) - astrologer, seer
Li Chunfeng 李淳风 (602 - 670) - astrologer, seer
见过众生诸相 才见神佛
Having seen the panorama of mortals, only can one see the Gods
[Tang dynasty - Song dynasty]
雪月 风花 犹在
Poetics, beauty, remains
长安月 醉堕瑶台
Chang’an’s moon, falls drunken from the balcony
Li Bai 李白 (701 - 762) - Poet
Du Fu 杜甫 (712 - 770) - Poet
摔作盛世 万家灯火
Crashing into a golden age, to lanterns in a million homes
Yuan Zhen 元稹 (779 - 831) - Poet
Bai Juyi 白居易 (772 - 846) - Poet
宫花落 琵琶溅泪
Palace flowers drift, a lute speckled with tears
Li Yu 南唐后主李煜 (937 - 978) - poet, last emperor of Southern Tang
Zhou Ehuang 大周后周娥皇 (936 - 965) - Empress Zhou the elder, first wife of Li Yu
诗篇萦系 美人的魂魄
Poems cling to souls of maidens fair
Xue Tao 薛涛 (768 - 831) - Poet
汴城雪 吹白衣冠
Bianjing’s snowy breeze lines his crown and robe white
Xin Qiji 辛弃疾 (1140 - 1207) - poet, military general, patriot
积满雕弓 催梦度冰河
And gathers on his bow, dreams usher him across icy rivers
Su Shi 苏轼 (1037 - 1101) - poet, writer, statesman
Lu You 陆游 (1125 - 1210) - poet, writer, patriot
帘外霜风形迹被词笔镌刻
Frosty drafts beyond the curtains captured in verse
Li Qingzhao 李清照 (1084 - 1155) - Poet
[Song dynasty - Yuan dynasty]
箭穿霄 桴鼓撼地
Arrows pierce the clouds, drumrolls shake the earth
Liang Hongyu 梁红玉 (1102 - 1135) - military general
苍龙抬首 红日煊赫
The dragon lifts its head, the scarlet sun’s bright as ever
Zhao Kuangyin 赵太祖赵匡胤 (927 - 976) - Emperor Taizu of Song, founder of the Song dynasty
登峰瞰 何畏浮云
From a mountainous vantage, why fear the drifting clouds
变法治世 欲立而先破
Reforms to govern the realm, one must first break to build
Wang Anshi 王安石 (1021 - 1086) - statesman, reformer, poet
摹造化 挥洒万象
Sketch the likeness of nature, spill its endless shapes
野马尘埃 腾跃出毫墨
Wild horses in dust storms leap from ink brushes
Zhao Mengfu 赵孟頫 (1257 - 1322) - artist
Guan Daosheng 管道昇 (1262 - 1319) - calligrapher
Foyin 佛印 (1032 - 1098) - monk, Zen master, storyteller
海川奔流入酒
The oceans and rivers rush into wine
润胸中丘壑
To nourish the landscape of the mind
Ouyang Xiu 欧阳修 (1007 - 1072) - essayist, statesman, historian
{Excerpts arranged from the Song dynasty poem, “Grave of the Grand Historian Sima”, by Zhang Bian 张昪 (992 - 1077)}
巍峨西山古
Grand is the ancient mountain west
浩瀚大河雄
Vast is the great river strong
兴亡陈迹今只余
Trails of past glories left only
冢上青柏葱葱
Graves overgrown with verdant fir
摄衣瞻拜太史公
Pay our obeisance to the Grand Historian
千载斯文在此中
For the thousand years of refinement held within
Sima Qian 司马迁 (145 BC- c. 86 BC) - Author of the “Records of the Grand Historian”
[Ming dynasty - Qing dynasty]
草木心 以行践知
A heart synced with nature practices what he knows
Wang Yangming 王阳明 (1472 - 1529) - philosopher, statesman
傲骨可昭 清白本色
Proud bones announce his true noble colours
Yu Qian 于谦 (1398 - 1457) - patriot, military general, statesman
布衣身 披沥血火
Humble beginnings trialed by blood and fire
Zhu Yuanzhang 明太祖朱元璋 (1328 - 1398) - Emperor Taizu of Ming, founder of the Ming dynasty
Empress Ma 马皇后 (1332 - 1382) - Empress Xiaocigao, first empress of the Ming dynasty
志绝重洋 方显四海阔
Ambitions set across oceans, only can the vastness of the world be shown
Zheng He 郑和 (1371 - 1433) - admiral, explorer, diplomat
搏天命 巧夺天工
To bet with fate, with genius rivaling the divine
Song Yingxing 宋应星 (1587 - 1666) - scientist, author of the encyclopedia “The Exploitation of the Works of Nature”
Wang Zhenyi 王贞仪 (1768 - 1797) - astronomer, mathematician
试问天高 向天道求索
Question the height of heavens, seeking answers from its laws
Zu Chongzhi 祖冲之 (429 - 500) - astronomer, mathematician
Huang Daopo 黄道婆 (1245 - 1330) - textile innovator
梦魂寄留人间
Dreaming souls park in this mortal realm
Tang Xianzu 汤显祖 (1550 - 1616) - playwright
Pu Songling 蒲松龄 (1640 - 1715) - writer, author of “Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio“
醉吟醒世歌
And wake the world with drunken songs
Feng Menglong 冯梦龙 (1574 - 1646) - novelist, historian
Tang Bohu 唐伯虎 (1470 - 1524) - artist, calligrapher
运书刀 纵横青简
Wielding a book knife across bamboo scrolls
刻写前尘 凡人轮廓
To carve the past lives and portraits of mortals
Sima Guang 司马光 (1019 - 1086) - historian, author of the “Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance”
Ban Zhao 班昭 (c.49 - c.120) - historian, educator, co-author of the “Book of Han”
Sima Qian 司马迁 (145 BC- c. 86 BC) - author of the “Records of the Grand Historian”
千年后 谁将翻阅
Thousand years later, who’d flip through the pages
指纹交叠 岁月的留辙
Fingerprints overlap, these wheel tracks of time
但犹见 日夜相继
Yet one still sees, day after night
东风传火 一路慷慨歌
The eastern winds passing the torch, while we sing along the march
旷古绝唱不绝
This unprecedented song will not be the end
今迎后来者
Today we welcome our successors
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Extra footnotes on the lyrics:
