Thursday, January 18, 2018

[English translation] 眉間雪 - Snow Between Brows



[Music video]

原曲/ Original music:吳雨霏《生命樹》(Kary Ng “Sheng Ming Shu / Tree of Life”) 
填詞/ Lyrics:陸菱紗 (Lu Ling Sha)
原唱/ Original vocal:晴愔 (Qing Yin)
翻唱/ Cover:HITA
後期/ Post production:Mr.魚 (Mr Fish / Mr Yu)

文案:
彼时年少不知事 牵着师父的袖子 就天不怕地不怕
后来鲜衣怒马少年意气 不懂她可有可无的陪伴有何意义
然而江湖如潮
终于携手同去 策马独归

恍然想起那一年她在窗前仰头任雪花落满眉目
等着他抬袖去拂

所谓的江湖路
不过是她撑着伞 走向年幼的他
道一句 初心莫负

Story: 
As a child, he knew little of the world. So long as he held on to his master’s sleeve, he was utterly fearless. 
Later, he blossomed into a handsome young man, full of youthful pride. Failing to understand the significance of her company, he thought it more or less expendable. 
The world comes and goes like the tides. 
Alas, they set off hand-in-hand, yet he returned on his horse alone. 

A recollection struck, of her lifting her head by the windows, letting snow sprinkle over her brows, waiting for him to sweep them away with his sleeve. 

So called the worldly path, is nothing but her holding up an umbrella, walking towards the little boy, with only one simple line. “Don’t lose your heart.” 


师父:俯首作辑谢师恩,呐,我喝了你的茶,就是你师父了。江湖险恶,咱们师徒一心,同去同归。
徒弟:嗯。
师父:我先去给你买包包和糖葫芦,你等着我!怎么了?一个人害怕?
徒弟:才没有!
师父:那你为何拽着我的衣角?
徒弟:我…… 
师父:不怕,师父跟着你。

“Pay obeisance as a gesture of thanks. Alrighty! Now that I’ve accepted your tea offering, I’ve become your master. The world’s full of perils, so we master and disciple have to be as one. We set off together, and return together!” 

“En.” 

“I’ll first buy you a bag and sugared hawsticks, you wait for me! Why now? Are you scared being alone?” 

“N-No.” 

“Then why are you tugging my sleeve?” 

“I...…” 

“Don’t be scared now, master will follow you.” 


是不是 每種感情都不容沉溺放肆 
交心淡如君子 
只道是 那些無關風花雪月的相思 
說來幾人能知

Is it true, for every sort of relationship, there’s no room for indulgence and recklessness 
Keep them calm and reserved, that’s the gentleman's way 
I’ll only say, it’s got nothing to do with trivial longings 
How many can truly understand 


徒弟:都跟你说别跟着我了,你怎么还跟着!
师父:…… 
徒弟:干嘛不说话!
师父:你不是嫌我吵么?
徒弟:我……不是那个意思。
师父:马上就要出师了,我给你准备了新衣裳, 你试试?
徒弟:你做的衣服太丑了,穿着这么丑的衣服我怎么名扬天下?
师父:【直接把糖葫芦塞他嘴里】
徒弟:唔……呸,都跟你说了我不吃糖葫芦 

“I told you not to follow me, why are you still following?” 

“......” 

“Why don’t you speak!” 

“Thought you said I was noisy.” 

“I… That’s not what I meant.” 

“You’re almost graduating. I made you new clothes, want to try it out?” 

“The outfits you make are too ugly, how am I supposed to make a name for myself wearing such an ugly outfit?” 

She stuffed a sugared hawstick in his mouth. He spat it out. 

“I told you I don’t eat sugared hawsticks!” 


院內冬初 昔年與你栽的桃樹
葉落早做塵土
新雪來時 又將陳酒埋了幾壺
盼你歸來後對酌

At the start of winter, from the peach tree I planted with you in the yard many years ago 
The leaves shed had long turned to dust and dirt 
When fresh snow arrives, how many urns of old brew are buried 
While I hope to toast with you when you return


徒弟:喂,你一直在这,都没去过别处,是不是在等着谁?
师父:我谁也没等。谁也不会来。
徒弟:你一个人这么久,就没想过去别的地方看看?
师父:我…… 

“Hey, you’ve been here all along, never gone to other places. Are you waiting for someone?” 

“I’m waiting for no one. Nobody will come.” 

“You’ve been alone for so long, haven’t you thought of exploring other places?” 

“I……”


穿過落雁修竹 看過月升日暮
你說有一日總會名揚天下實現你抱負
那時低頭替你劍穗纏著新流蘇
心願未聽清楚

We’ve passed through flocks of geese and forests of bamboos, seen the moonrise and sunset
You said, one day you’ll make a name for yourself and realize your ambitions
I had been busy tying a new tassel on your sword hilt then
And hadn’t heard your wish clear enough


還掛著流蘇 是否應該滿足
也為你縫好冬衣寄去書信一兩句叮囑
該慶幸至遠至疏你我還未至陌路
是時光從來殘酷 

The tassel hung still, should I have contented myself there? 
I’ve also delivered winter clothes sewn for you, attaching a letter with an advice or two 
I should be happy that though we’ve drifted apart, we’ve not turned complete strangers 
But time had always been cruel


最害怕 酒肆閑談時候聽見你名字 
語氣七分熟識 
回過神 笑問何方大俠姓名竟不知 
笑容有多諷刺

I fear most, to catch your name during casual conversations over drinks 
Uttered with a tone so familiar 
Snapping back to reality, I asked “why hadn’t I known the name of such a hero?” 
Smiling, with such stinging irony 


徒弟:你又输了。
师父:知道了知道了,徒弟还是长大了啊。
徒弟:这下你不用一直跟在我后面,担心我被人欺负了吧。
师父:你这身新衣服不错呀,看起来像名扬天下那么回事儿。
徒弟:师傅,你的亲友呢?
师父:这是你的小马驹吗?挺帅的嘛!你记得要每天刷洗,这样它长大了毛色会——
徒弟:这些我知道。
师父:对了!我这还有些上好的马草!
徒弟:不用了,我都有。

“You lost again.” 

“I know I know." My disciple’s all grown up.

“Now you don’t have to shadow me all the time, worried that I’d be bullied.” 

“The new outfit’s not bad. You look almost like the real deal, becoming famous and all.” 

“Master, where are your friends and family?” 

“Isn’t this your colt? Looking pretty handsome! Remember to brush him everyday, then when he grows up his fur will-” 

“That I know.” 

“Oh, right! I still have some quality hay over here-” 

“No need, I have them all.” 


斟酒獨酌 細雪紛紛覆上眉目 
清寒已然入骨 
還憶最初 有你扯過衣袖輕拂 
笑說雪融似淚珠

Pouring wine I down myself, light snow crowded upon my brows 
Its chill already seeped into my bones 
I still remember at the very beginning, I swept them off with the sleeve you used to tug 
And said, with a smile, that the melting snow looked like teardrops


曾經相伴相護 說著初心不負 
想起某一日陪你策馬同游鬧市中漫步 
那時正逢揚州三月桃花鋪滿路 
神情難免恍惚

We used to watch over one another, and promised not to lose our heart 
I remembered that day I drove a horse with you, that day we strolled through the bustling market 
It was March in the Province of Yang, where peach blossoms paved our way 
I can’t help falling into a bleary-eyed trance


江湖的盡頭是否只剩孤獨 
都怪我玲瓏心思執念太過以塵網自縛 
前方太遼闊若問此去應去向何處 
把來路當做歸途

Is it true that at the end of the world, the only thing left is loneliness 
Perhaps it’s my own fault for my delicate thoughts, for these obsessions I cocooned myself in 
The path ahead is far too vast, how should I decide where to go 
So I can only take the path I came from 


桃樹下 那年落雪為你唱一段樂府 
信了人不如故 
只如今 茫茫大雪之中等著誰回顧 
明知無人回顧 
誰能初心不負

Under the peach tree, I sang you a poem while it snowed that year 
I’ve come to believe that people do change 
Only now, in the endless stretch of snow, who am I waiting to look back 
I already know nobody will 
Who can keep their heart still


徒弟的徒弟:师傅,你在等谁?
徒弟:我谁也没等。谁也不会来。
徒弟的徒弟:你一个人,就没想过去别的地方看看?
徒弟:我…… 

徒弟:你一个人这么久,就没想过去别的地方看看?
师傅:我怕我一转身,连你也不见了。

师傅:看,下雪了
徒弟的徒弟:看,下雪了

“Master, who are you waiting for?” 

“I’m waiting for no one. Nobody’s going to come.” 

“You’ve been alone for so long, haven’t you thought of exploring other places?” 

“I…...” 

***

“You’ve been alone for so long, haven’t you thought of exploring other places?” 

“I’m scared that once I turn my back, even you will disappear.” 

***

“Look, it’s starting to snow.”

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

[English translation] 江山雪 - Snow over Rivers and Mountains

作曲/編曲//Composer/arrangement: KIDE
後期//Post production: E
作詞//Lyrics:荀夜羽 (Xun Ye Yu)
原唱//Original vocal:小愛的媽 (Xiao Ai’s mom/Xiao Ai De Ma)
特邀念白//Narrators:阿冊 (A Ce), 柒夜 (Qi Ye)
演唱//Vocal (cover):蚊香 (Wen Xiang)
混音//Mix:Mr曾經 (Mr Ceng Jing)

Other covers:
(And many more available on Youtube)


***


純則粹 陽則剛 天行健 兩儀遵道恆長 故有長久者不自生方長生之講
Pure in essence, stark in strength
Heaven runs diligently, two states in constant obedience of nature’s law Hence there’s the saying, longevity favors those who do no egoistic self-preservation


百丈峰 松如浪
地勢坤 厚德載物之像
故君子不爭炎涼

Pine trees rose like waves upon peaks a hundred meters tall The earthy landscape contains within itself all virtues and matters Like so, a gentleman does not concern himself with trifles


混沌開 分陰陽
輪轉更迭萬物始蒼蒼
觀其微妙於九天之下六合八荒

Primordial chaos split into Yin and Yang
Only through its changes in cycles can all lives flourish
Do observe its intricacies, under the heavens, in this universe


春生 入秋藏
天之道四時更迭有常
若有常為何晨曦比這夜還涼

Birthed in spring, hidden in autumn
Heaven’s law changes with a rhythm of certainty
If there should be certainty, why is dawn colder than this very night?


若無常 為何我總會想
與你 守月滿空山雪照窗

If there naught be certainty, why am I constantly drawn to the thought
Of waiting on the moon with you, snow reflecting light through our windows in the vacuous mountains?


[Narration]
大道無形,生育天地;大道無情,運行日月;大道無名,長養萬物。

Dao is shapeless, birthing heaven and earth; Dao is loveless, moving both sun and moon; Dao is nameless, nurturing all lives.


一念坐忘 趁月光
聽 清風追逐流雲纏綿飛舞的癡狂
交錯的剎那 生怕洩露心頭沉淪的慌
微漾

I thought of meditating while the moon still shines
And listen to winds chase the streaming clouds, entwined in a dancing frenzy
At the moment we intersected, I feared that the panic from my heart’s fall would be revealed
As a subtle ripple


[Narration]

吾不知其名,強名曰道。
夫道者:有清有濁,有動有靜;天清地濁,天動地靜; 降本流末,而生萬物。
清者,濁之源,動者,靜之基;人能常清靜,天地悉皆歸。

Its name I know not, Dao is the name assumed.

Dao, defined as such: it encompasses the clear and the murky, the moving and the still; heaven is clear while the earth murky, heaven moves while the earth is still; it descends from its source and flows to its end, thus birthing lives in tens of thousands.

The clear is the source of the murky; the moving, foundation of the still; should one stays oft in clarity and stillness, heaven and earth shall be his to own.


未曾忘 蒙昧時授我出世方(君卻重入塵浪)
如何渡暖意 才能化盡你眼底 千山月下霜(將眷戀深藏)
揮劍 斬痴念萬丈(已決意相忘)
卻 輸給回眸一望

I’ve never forgotten, in my ignorant days, who taught me the way out of mortal’s entanglements (yet you returned to its tumbling dust)
How shall this warmth be delivered, to melt away mountain frost under the moon, beneath your eyes (hiding all your longings deep within)
I raised my sword, and severed my overwhelming lengths of obsession (already decided to forget one another)
Yet my defeat was spelled, when you cast a glance back at me


曲中全 直藏枉
盛世於斯須間興亡
有誰能與天數相抗
逆轉世態炎涼

Wholesomeness within the crooked, vanity concealed in the righteous
The glorious world rises and falls in passing moments
Who can oppose heaven’s will
And reverse the state of this world?


都說
心欲靜 更難放
何時起光陰 與心意
放縱如 白駒
肯收韁

It’s been said
The heart yearning stillness finds it harder to let go
Since when, time itself, together with my heart
Bolted like a white colt
Still I refuse to draw its reins


[Narration]
情不敢至深 恐大夢一場
卦不敢算盡 畏天道無常

Love I dare not let run deep, fearing it should be merely an elaborate dream
Entirety of my fortunes I dare not predict, fearing heaven’s uncertainty


時有序 世滄桑
天地將傾時誰保 誰無恙
指上訣 念念入心藏

There is order in time, and vicissitudes in the world
When heaven and earth topple, who can promise whose safety
Incantations upon my fingers, I chanted till it’s kept by heart


君為刃 吾便以此身 為盾防
仗劍鎮山河護 你無恙

If you shall be a blade, then this body of mine I’ll make the shield
Wielding a sword to surmount the land, so that I may protect you, safe and well


***

Translator’s comment:

I did this because I happen to enjoy dropping boulders directly above my feet.

Also, I’m in my pop culture Taoism phase. And I can’t say I don’t enjoy a bit of a challenge.

This is really not an easy one to work with. Lots of references to Taoist literature, so I try to go back to the sources and translate to the best of my ability. Some philosophical concepts are difficult to convey in full. E.g. For “the earthy landscape” (地勢坤), the word “坤” is a somewhat nebulous concept. It’s one of the symbols of the Ba Gua (Eight Diagrams) from the earliest surviving Chinese literature, the I Ching. It can mean the earth (as oppose to the heavens), or the feminine (as opposed to the masculine), or the southwest direction.

Downside number two: I’m not very well-read in Taoist literature and doctrine, so I only know some of the more superficial aspects of it.

This song contains a mix of pop culture Taoism. It was originally composed as an homage to a Chinese MMORPG (劍俠情緣叁 or 剑网三). One of the sects, the Chun Yang Sect (纯阳), takes inspiration from Taoism, and the characters are modeled after Taoist priests and priestesses. (The song “A Taoist Nun Friend of Mine” is also inspired by events in the same game, by the way.) So the first line “纯则粹 阳则刚” probably serves more as a reference to the game than providing much actual meaning.

I especially like these lines from the original sources:

天行健,君子以自强不息。
地势坤,君子以厚德载物。
——《周易》

"Like the diligence of heaven, a gentleman should be relentless in improving one self.
Like the nurturing earth, a gentleman should cultivate good virtues and be accepting of all matters."
- I Ching

Thursday, November 16, 2017

[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.