[English translation] 胭脂雪 - Rouged snow

原唱//Vocalist：Assen捷 (Assen Jie)

填词//Lyrics：景轩洛书，梦殇碧落 (Jing Xuan Luo Shu, Meng Shang Bi Luo)

谱曲//Composer：潮汐，景轩洛书 (Chao Xi, Jing Xuan Luo Shu) 

编曲//Arrangement：潮汐 (Chao Xi) 

二胡//Er Hu：辰小弦 (Chen Xiao Xuan)

和声编写//Arrangement (harmony)：潇梦临 (Xiao Meng Lin)

和声//Backing vocalist (harmony)：凌之轩 (Ling Zhi Xuan) 

后期//Post-production：Mr.鱼 (Mr. Yu)

海报//Poster art：入境 (Ru Jing)

***

枯桃又泛出新芽

长平山上谁人形幻化

桃花潭水映着晚霞

手中的风铃轻声咿呀

御剑行空落一树繁花

湘湖上 长歌风飒飒

New buds sprouted yet again upon withered peach branches

Up upon the mountains whose apparition has vanished 

Deep lake waters reflecting the sky’s dusky glow

The wind chimes in my hands creaked ever so softly

Riding upon my sword aloft, with trees shedding their magnificent petals

Across the pond came a song in the howling wind

紫衣青衫打马归家

路遇伊人面似桃花

从此两心长牵挂

咫尺天涯

谁的思念还未倾塌

In a scholar’s robe and dark overcoats I rode on my journey home

And met the one with looks charming as peach blossoms

Since then two hearts forever tied to each other

Through an unbreachable distance 

Whose longings have not crumbled?

风过叶落飞沙

火光灼伤桃花

纸鸢上蝴蝶还恋着她

刀剑下一影潇洒

Winds pass with falling leaves and flying sand

And flames has scorched the peach blossoms

The butterfly on my kite misses her still

Beneath swords and blades was a shadow of grace

柳絮纷飞飘下

仿若漫天雪花

斜阳下你红晕的脸颊

红尘中生死无话

Willow catkins drifted down in flurries

Like scattered snowflakes across the sky

Under the setting sun, the flush of your cheeks

Left me wordless in mortals dust

萤舞唤夜赏落花

月光下谁隔着爱无涯

三月春风点醒桃花

远方谁轻声吟着蒹葭

万里山川独恋你眉砂

梦回中 恩怨皆放下

Dancing fireflies invited a scenery of fallen flowers

Under the moonlight, who is isolated from a boundless love

Spring breezes in March has awoken peach blossoms

Afar, who gently sings that poem on lush reeds 

Thousands of mountains and valley, and I only miss the cinnabar dot between your brows

In the wake of my dreams, I lay down all past afflictions

遥记当年打马归家

路遇伊人面似桃花

从此两心长牵挂

咫尺天涯

谁的誓言还未倾塌

I remember that year I rode on my journey home

And met the one with looks as charming as peach blossoms

Since then two hearts forever tied to each other

Through an unbreachable distance 

Whose oath has yet to crumble?

风过叶落飞沙

火光灼伤桃花

纸鸢上蝴蝶还恋着她

刀剑下一影潇洒

Winds pass with falling leaves and flying sand

And flames has scorched the peach blossoms

The butterfly on my kite misses her still

Beneath swords and blades was a shadow of grace

柳絮纷飞飘下

仿若漫天雪花

斜阳下你红晕的脸颊

红尘中生死无话

Willow catkins drifted down in flurries

Like scattered snowflakes across the sky

Under the setting sun, the flush of your cheeks

Left me wordless in mortals dust

纸鸢上蝴蝶还恋着她

刀剑下一影潇洒

The butterfly on my kite misses her still

Beneath swords and blades was a shadow of grace

柳絮纷飞飘下

仿若漫天雪花

斜阳下你红晕的脸颊

红尘中生死无话

Willow catkins drifted down in flurries

Like scattered snowflakes across the sky

Under the setting sun, the flush of your cheeks

Left me wordless in mortals dust

***

Translator's note:

As far as I know there isn't an official story for this, but a general theme of romance in a Wuxia/Xianxia world (well, there's the thing about riding a flying sword in the lyrics, so I guess Xianxia is more accurate). 

As usual, some parts of my translation isn't entirely exact. For one, I often omit special names (e.g. location names) to make it less clunky. 

Another example: "紫衣青衫" literally translate to "purple and green clothes". Purple clothes, or black in some translations, is associated with status, especially court officials; whereas green clothes stand to mean peasantry or scholar's robe (and I get the impression that it should be a subdued green, or gray-green). Therefore, I weighed my options and came up with the translation above, instead of giving the impression that the guy's dressed like an aubergine. Not the mood I'm going for.

The "poem on lush reeds" is actually referencing a piece from "Classics of Poetry" (诗经), the oldest known compilation of poems which originated all the way to the Zhou Dynasty (before Qin Shi Huang Di and his happy book burning shenanigans). The poem is titled "Reeds" (蒹葭), and in short it's about a person pursuing their lover despite the difficulties of the journey. I found this translation (not mine!) in case you're interested. 

  

[English translation] 如寄（剧情版）- Transient (with dialogue)

*Details of artists and production team, as well as translation notes, in this post (lyrics without dialogue).

*This song is a sequel to the story in Snow Between Brows, from the disciple's point of view.


***


徒弟：什么时候才能喝呀？
师父：等你啊，再长高些。

“When can we drink that?”

“Wait till you grow a little taller.”

师父：许了什么愿？

徒弟：不告诉你。

师父：你不说我也知道，想要名扬天下，对不对？

“What wish did you make?”

“I'm not telling.”

“I know even if you won’t tell, you want to be famous, am I right?” 

师父：疼吗？乖啊，不疼。

徒弟：师父，我想吃糖葫芦。

“Does it hurt? Don’t fuss, it’s going to be alright.”

“Master, I want to eat sugared hawsticks.”

师父：阁下剑法有待磨练啊。

徒弟：哼！

“Looks like your swordsmanship needs work.”

“Hmph!”

一路大雪纷飞 踏上归程

门外几株桃枝 宛若故人

雪中你眉眼如旧 唇角笑意深

一句问候却微微颤着声

A snowy blizzard graced the path of my returning journey

The few peach blossom branches outdoor, reminders of one I knew

In the snow, your features remained as old, the corner of your lips drew a deep smile

Yet your greeting voice trembled ever so slightly



师父：俯首作辑谢师恩，呐，我喝了你的茶，就是你师父了。

“Pay obeisance as a gesture of thanks. Alrighty! Now that I’ve accepted your tea offering, I’ve become your master.”

师父：好久不见。

“Long time no see.”

听你温柔细数 清闲平生

笑我两鬓华发 消瘦几分

只捧起陈年的酒 又一杯满斟

这口酒竟比风雪还要冷

I listened to gentle recollections of your uneventful life

You laughed at my graying hair, and how I’ve grown a few rounds thinner

I lifted the aged wine, and filled my cup whole

This wine turned out colder than the winds and snow

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？

“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?” 

是不是再多念想捱不过时光利刃

终究化成寒暄三两声

那一年相伴相护的承诺 散作了浮尘

负尽少年心 也未曾负过你深恩

Is it true that no matter how much our longings, it cannot outlast the blade of time

Alas turning into mere greetings and pleasantries 

The promise that we’ll be there for each other that year had dispersed like floating dust 

I may forsake my youth, but never my deepest gratitude to you

如今刀尖造梦 功名渐成

难逃俗世纷争 飘摇红尘

多少次闹市擦肩 将身影错认

灯火阑珊处心似座荒城

Now with my blade I’ve realized my dreams, my success and fame coming to fruition

Worldly trifles proved inescapable, lost in mortal’s dust, I wavered

Countless times in market squares I’ve brushed shoulders with strangers, and mistook them for you

Under the dim lights, my heart is but a city deserted

问你经年孤身 又为谁等

却答无心吟歌 琴案蒙尘

轻声叹人不如新 抚眉间折痕

说不忍看我沧桑的眼神

I asked, having endured solitude for years, who have you been waiting for 

But you answered that you had no will to sing, that your zither stand had gathered dust

then softly lamented that people change, caressing the creases between my brows

and said you couldn’t bear the sight of my world-worn eyes

徒弟：呸，都跟你说了，我不吃糖葫芦！

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

听人说后来我们都变成江湖传闻

茶楼酒肆里说完一生

你只道昔年情谊皆封存 何必有悔恨

愿前路安稳 不再为旧事执念深

I heard we’d become the talk of legends

In tea houses and taverns, had our life stories told

You only say our affections of yesteryears had been sealed away, why the need for bitter regrets

Wishing us a steady road ahead, no longer deep in obsessions over the past

回望你执伞伫立雪纷纷 黯然失魂

剑上新穗还留有余温

你知我一心向江湖而生 终为江湖困

人间本如寄 此一生再也无归程

I glanced back at you, standing despondently with an umbrella in the falling snow

My sword tassel carries your warmth still

You knew my heart was destined for worldliness, and in worldliness I was trapped alas

Mortal life had always been transient, and in this life there can only be no return

徒弟：就送到这吧。

师父：嗯，多多珍重。

“You can stop here.”

“Alright, do take care.”

徒弟的徒弟：师父，你在做什么？

徒弟：师父，在做许愿灯。

徒弟的徒弟：那师父许的什么愿啊？

师父：许的什么愿啊？

徒弟：师徒一心，同去同归

“Master, what are you doing?”

“I’m making a wishing lantern.”

“Then what wish are you making?”

“What wish are you making?”

“Master and disciple, journey as one.”

***

[English translation] 如寄 - Transient

出品人//Presented by：郭炜炜 (Guo Wei Wei)
制作//Producer：小旭音乐、三个糙汉一个软妹组 (Xiao Xun Music, "San Ge Cao Han Yi Ge Ruan Mei Zu" or "Team of three coarse dudes and one cute chic"
监制//Executive Producer：红尘秘意 (Hong Chen Mi Yi)
策划//Associate producer：忌廉 (Ji Lian)
作词//Lyrics：陆菱纱 (Lu Ling Sha)
演唱//Vocal：萧忆情 (Xiao Yi Qing)
作曲/编曲/混音//Composer/Arrangement/Mixing：小旭音乐 (Xiao Xun Music) ——Tureleon


***


一路大雪纷飞 踏上归程

门外几株桃枝 宛若故人

雪中你眉眼如旧 唇角笑意深

一句问候却微微颤着声

A snowy blizzard graced the path of my returning journey

The few peach blossom branches outdoor, reminders of one I knew

In the snow, your features remained as old, the corner of your lips drew a deep smile

Yet your greeting voice trembled ever so slightly

听你温柔细数 清闲平生

笑我两鬓华发 消瘦几分

只捧起陈年的酒 又一杯满斟

这口酒竟比风雪还要冷

I listened to gentle recollections of your uneventful life

You laughed at my graying hair, and how I’ve grown a few rounds thinner

I lifted the aged wine, and filled my cup whole

This wine turned out colder than the winds and snow

是不是再多念想捱不过时光利刃

终究化成寒暄三两声

那一年相伴相护的承诺 散作了浮尘

负尽少年心 也未曾负过你深恩

Is it true that no matter how much our longings, it cannot outlast the blade of time

Alas turning into mere greetings and pleasantries 

The promise that we’ll be there for each other that year had dispersed like floating dust 

I may forsake my youth, but never my deepest gratitude to you

如今刀尖造梦 功名渐成

难逃俗世纷争 飘摇红尘

多少次闹市擦肩 将身影错认

灯火阑珊处心似座荒城

Now with my blade I’ve realized my dreams, my success and fame coming to fruition

Worldly trifles proved inescapable, lost in mortal’s dust, I wavered

Countless times in market squares I’ve brushed shoulders with strangers, and mistook them for you

Under the dim lights, my heart is but a city deserted

问你经年孤身 又为谁等

却答无心吟歌 琴案蒙尘

轻声叹人不如新 抚眉间折痕

说不忍看我沧桑的眼神

I asked, having endured solitude for years, who have you been waiting for 

But you answered that you had no will to sing, that your zither stand had gathered dust

then softly lamented that people change, caressing the creases between my brows

and said you couldn’t bear the sight of my world-worn eyes

听人说后来我们都变成江湖传闻

茶楼酒肆里说完一生

你只道昔年情谊皆封存 何必有悔恨

愿前路安稳 不再为旧事执念深

I heard we’d become the talk of legends

In tea houses and taverns, had our life stories told

You only say our affections of yesteryears had been sealed away, why the need for bitter regrets

Wishing us a steady road ahead, no longer deep in obsessions over the past

回望你执伞伫立雪纷纷 黯然失魂

剑上新穗还留有余温

你知我一心向江湖而生 终为江湖困

人间本如寄 此一生再也无归程

I glanced back at you, standing despondently with an umbrella in the falling snow

My sword tassel carries your warmth still

You knew my heart was destined for worldliness, and in worldliness I was trapped alas

Mortal life had always been transient, and in this life there can only be no return

***

Translator's note:

So this song is the continuation of my previously translated song "Snow between brows" or "Frosted Brows" (which I think is a more elegant translation of the title - credits to youtuber Taigektou, you guys should really check out their instrumentals, they're amazing.) Alternative translations include "Fading" or "Journey", at least those that I've come across. The reason they're so different is because it is hard to find that precise word to describe its meaning.

The phrase "如寄" came from a verse written by Cao Pi (曹丕) during the Late Han till Wei Dynasty in his "善哉行". It's original verse is "人生如寄，多忧何为", the gist of it is: "we are like guest in this mortal life, our stay is impermanent, so why all the worries?" 

Hence “如寄” literally means "like a guest", which also emphasize the transience of mortal existence (hence my choice of the title). 

Back to the story. So in the previous song, from the master's point of view, her disciple was portrayed as one who has left her behind to pursue his dreams. In this song, the disciple is shown to have regretted his neglect of his loving master. He yearns for reunification, but by chance and fate he could not find her. Whether he eventually found her many years later, or that it was an imaginary reunion, I'm uncertain. 

There's also another verse referencing a well-known poem. "Under the dim lights, my heart is but a city deserted." The excerpt from the original poem (词/ci) is from Xing Qiji's (辛弃疾) "青玉案"

"众里寻他千百度，蓦然回首，那人却在灯火阑珊处。"

"Searching high and low in the crowds for that person, I looked back, and that person had been standing under the dim lantern lights." 

(This is a really rough translation of the classical poem, but you get my point.)

Even under the dim lights, he could not find his master, hence his immense sense of loss is comparable to a deserted city.

So that's it for now. Hope you guys enjoy the song!

[English translation] 腐草为萤 - Fluorescence

作曲//Composers：银临、灰原穷 (Yin Lin, Hui Yuan Qiong)
编曲／后期／MV制作//Arrangement/Post-production/MV：灰原穷 (Hui Yuan Qiong)
作词//Lyrics：择荇 (Ze Xing)
古箏演奏//Chinese Zither：蝶伤情 (Die Shang Qing)
演唱//Vocal：银临 (Yin Lin)
海报//Poster art：朴缜 （Pu Zhen)

*****


季夏三月，野草在溽暑中死去，萤火自朽叶里腾飞。
20天的光阴，足以燃烧柔弱的今生，拥抱青葱的前世。

然后生死相从，来年再见。这样，如何不值得？

In the third month of summer, wild grass dies off in its humid heat, and fireflies emerge flying from  the decaying greens. 

Twenty days time, enough to burn away its pallid life in the present, and embrace its verdant past. 

Then follows it to death, only to meet again in the coming year. How is this unworthy?

*****


纤弱的　淤泥中妖冶

颓废在　季夏第三月

最幼嫩的新叶　连凋零都不屑

何必生离死别

The frail one, stands alluring in the mire 

Wasting away in the third month of summer

The most tender of leaves, deign not to wither

Why perceive it as separations in life and death 

圆润卵石间　缭绕重生的火种

光阴只方寸　延续了枯荣

淋漓草檐下　谁撞入窗前旧灯笼

擦亮了　仓促的重逢

Between smooth round pebbles, circled the kindling of rebirth 

Time has only prolonged mere moments of that withering glory 

Under the dripping thatched eaves, who flew into the old lantern by the window

And sparked alight this hasty reunion

于青萍之末　风露更婆娑

还以为此刻　恰逢因果

是春秋开落　或夤夜闪烁

哪个更值得　一错再错

At the tips of water clovers, the more graced are the winds and dew

Believing we have, at this moment, encountered cause and consequence

Is it the seasons’ spring and fall, or the sparkles deep into midnight

Which is worth making mistakes after mistakes for

蛰伏的　随断茎摇曳

腾空在　一花一世界

躯壳快要冷却　华筵还剩几夜

思念旦暮未歇

The crouching one, sways with its broken stem

Suspended on a single flower, a single world

Its shell about to cool, how many more nights should the banquet last

Those longings from day through night never rest

清浅池塘边　重生破土的冲动

天地正玲珑　殡葬了飞虫

迢迢河汉间　有磷火坠地如彗锋

奢望着　能生死相拥

By the shallow pond, was the impulse to emerge rebirthed from the soil  　

Heaven and earth are diligently burying these flying bugs  

Between the vast Milky Way, sparks fall like comets to the ground

Yearning in vain, to embrace in life and death

于青萍之末　风露更婆娑

还以为此刻　恰逢因果

是春秋开落　或夤夜闪烁

谁情愿将错就错

At the tips of water clovers, the more graced are the winds and dew

Thinking you have, at this moment, encountered cause and consequence

Is it the seasons’ spring and fall, or the sparkles deep into midnight

Who is willing to take these mistakes for granted

于盛夏之末　入夜仍灼热

又一场离合　开始凄恻

是扇底闪躲　或雨水摧折

哪里都值得　恋恋不舍

At the end of summer’s height, when nightfall remains sweltering still  

Yet another parting begins to turn sorrowful 

Hiding under the fan, or trampled by the rain

Wherever it is, it’s worth my relentless longings

*****

Translator's note:

"Fluorescence" is the song's official English translation.

Apparently this song is inspired by a riddle in the Chinese classic "Dream of the Red Mansion" (《红楼梦》, also known as "Dream of the Red Chamber" or "The Story of the Stone"). People used to believe that fireflies came from marshes of decaying grass, that even something that seems dead can come back to life in something so brilliant. But they did not realize, fireflies only lives for twenty days, then die off with the grass at the end of summer.

(Hence the phrase "cause and consequence" in the translation, with lack of a better phrase to describe "cause and effect" or "karma" in this context [因果]).

Perhaps in the end, love is worthy, no matter how long is the time given. 

For those interested in the full backstory on Baidu: https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E8%85%90%E8%8D%89%E4%B8%BA%E8%90%A4/13575928 

[English translation] 业火苍云歌 - Song of Hellfire and Ashen Clouds

The original cover that I intended to put was taken down from Youtube. I especially liked the opera singing in Ba Du's cover.
This is the video from Bilibili: https://www.bilibili.com/video/av8367029/

原唱//Original vocal：音频怪物 (Yin Pin Guai Wu)
作编曲//Music：TONY_MS
作词//Lyrics：荀夜羽 (Xun Ye Yu)

翻唱//Cover: Lao干妈 (Lao Gan Ma) [In the Youtube video above]

翻唱(戏腔)//Cover (opera singing)：八度 (Ba Du) [In the Bilibili video]

***

谁在翻云覆雨掌控这天下

燃三界烽火当赏红莲炎华

战鬼转生自然历灭天劫杀

是英雄就要耐得寂寥萧飒

Who’s stirring up storms to seize control of this world

Igniting war on realms of mortals and immortals alike, rightfully rewarded the tortures of hell

The warrior’s ghost incarnate has naturally seen the worst of catastrophes

One who calls himself a hero must endure bleak solitude

为守千秋霸业做漂泊生涯

拼死搏杀胜负往往只一刹

恩怨不提只因为无从做答

宿命无情索性莫要在意它

To defend my grand ambitions I live a wandering life

Battling to the death, difference between victory and defeat made oft in split seconds

Grace and vengeance shall not be addressed, as there’s simply nowhere to start

Fate’s merciless anyway, so I pay it no mind at all

男儿自当磊落

胸怀凌云壮阔

历经生死劫破

荡尽乾坤浑浊

Men should be open and frank

With guts rivaling the breadth of heaven

Brave through tribulations of life and death

Exhausting the entirety of this murky world

为你坠星劫火

换我堕天心魔

此生荣辱功过

休管他人做何评说

I down the stars and rob its flames for you

In turn I fall out of grace with heaven into demonic paths

For my lifetime glories and shames, achievements and failings, 

I care nothing for the judgement of others

关山 为血脉 谁肯割舍

拓疆土 与英魂对酌

江河 横利刃 哪个来夺

守家国 以血赋长歌

For one’s own flesh and blood, who’d be willing to part with their homeland

We’d expand our borders, and toast with heroic souls

Before our rivers I brandish my blade, who dares to come claim?

To defend my homeland, a song shall be written in blood

因你 勘不透 内心执着

荣华梦 千秋换予我

毁天灭地 便重新雕琢

举身赴山河 换你回眸一顾 秋波

Because you fail to see through your obsessions

Your dream of eternal glory becomes mine to own

Even with total destruction of heaven and land, I’ll sculpt it back again 

I charged into battle, in exchange for your rippling glance back at me

为守千秋霸业做漂泊生涯

拼死搏杀胜负往往只一刹

恩怨不提只因为无从做答

宿命无情索性莫要在意它

To defend my grand ambitions I live a wandering life

Battling to the death, difference between victory and defeat made oft in split seconds

Grace and vengeance shall not be addressed, as there’s simply nowhere to start

Fate’s merciless anyway, so I pay it no mind at all

酒方尽惬意时

负陌刀策飞马 

纵千里快哉风 

袭万里月霜沙 

Still in ecstasy after a drink

Carrying my blade, I drove a dashing horse

Over hundreds of miles like a hurricane

Assailing thousand miles of frost and sand under the moon

喋血刃绽朱花 

射苍狼星挂甲 

宣武讨战争霸

男儿自当立于天下

Killer blades bloomed crimson flowers

Arrows shot the armored Wolf Star

Declaring war, goading battles, fighting for dominance

Men ought stand proudly on their own under heaven

出鞘 一步外 平山破浪

引风雷 哪个敢来挡

设防 盾围内 铁壁铜墙

势如虹 谁人妄逞强

One step away, my unsheathed blade made mountains razed and broken waves

Drawing thunder and wind, who dares get in my way

Defenses set, within shield walls of impregnable iron and bronze

Facing such unstoppable forces, who dares flaunt their bravado

若果 入苍云 注定沧桑

以血 染江山 又何妨

悍将 渴战 舐刀头血凉

不知吾心者 切莫笑

轻狂

If devotion to the Ashen Clouds dooms us to vicissitudes 

What’s the fuss if the landscape should be dyed with our blood

For a vicious warrior thirsting for battle, blood on his blade shall cool his tongue

Those ignorant of my heart, laugh not

At my brazen arrogance

微醺意正酣

追风天嗣横

崩星卷飒沓

猎猎裹裘轻

雁门锁雕翎

敌血染红缨

Tipsy to the point of bliss

The warrior god dominates upon his steed

An avalanche of stars swept up behind him

His fur cloak flutters in the wind

Archers locked behind Yanmen Gate

Enemy blood dyes his tassel red

出鞘 一步外 平山破浪

引风雷 哪个敢来挡

设防 盾围内 铁壁铜墙

势如虹 谁人妄逞强

One step away, my unsheathed blade made mountains razed and broken waves

Drawing thunder and wind, who dares get in my way

Defenses set, within shield walls of impregnable iron and bronze

Facing such unstoppable forces, who dares flaunt their bravado

不知吾心者 切莫笑

轻狂

Those ignorant of my heart, laugh not

At my brazen arrogance

***

Translator's note:

If this isn't a manly song I don't know what is. 

It's really quite fun to attempt translation for songs with different sets of emotions (as compared to the usual, of the softer, gentler, melancholic variety we usually get).

But again, there's quite a number of terminology that's quite culturally specific, and makes references to mythology. I'm not sure if I've done them justice, but I tried my best. E.g. 红莲炎华 (or 红莲业火, "hellfire of red lotus") meaning tortures of hell. 

Background for the song: it's a song devoted to the Ashen Cloud sect, one of the two warrior sects as far as I'm aware of, from the Chinese MMORPG game Jiang Wang 3. 

[English translation] 锦鲤抄 - Tale of the Koi

演唱// Vocal：云の泣/ 银临 (Yun zhi Qi / Yin Lin)

作词// Lyrics：慕清明 (Mu Qing Ming)

作曲// Composer：银临 (Yin Lin)

编曲// Arrangement：灰原穷 (Hui Yuan Qiong)

混缩// Compress：灰原穷 (Hui Yuan Qiong)

文案

宁武皇仁光九年锦文轩刻本《异闻录》载:

扶桑画师浅溪，居泰安，喜绘鲤。院前一方荷塘，锦鲤游曳，溪常与嬉戏。

其时正武德之乱，藩镇割据，战事频仍，魑魅魍魉，肆逆于道。兵戈逼泰安，街邻皆逃亡，独溪不舍锦鲤，未去。

是夜，院室倏火。有人入火护溪，言其本鲤中妖，欲取溪命，却生情愫，遂不忍为之。翌日天明，火势渐歇，人已不见。

溪始觉如梦，奔塘边，但见池水干涸，莲叶皆枯，塘中鲤亦不知所踪。

自始至终，未辨眉目，只记襟上层迭莲华，其色魅惑，似血着泪。

后有青岩居士闻之，叹曰:魑祟动情，必作灰飞。犹蛾之投火耳，非愚，乃命数也。

Story

Originated during the reign of Emperor Ning Wu, ninth year of Ren Guang, the ancient texts in “Record of Strange Tales” writes:

Qian Xi, a painter from Fusang who lived in Tai’an, was especially fond of painting koi. In the waterlily pond at his yard koi fishes swam. He played with them often.

During the Chaos of Wu De, land was divided, and wars frequent still. Evils of all kind wrecked havoc across the realm. When armies approached Tai’an, all of Xi’s neighbours fled, but him alone stayed, for he could not bear to leave his fishes.

Night fell when his house went up in a blaze. A person entered the fire to protect Qian Xi. The person claimed to be a koi fish demon who intended to take Xi’s life, but developed feelings for him and couldn’t bring itself to do the deed. When dawn broke the following day, the fire died down, and the person had disappeared. 

Qian Xi, thinking it was all a dream, ran to his pond, and found the water dried, the water lilies withered, and the koi fishes nowhere to be seen.

From beginning till the end, he could not recollect its appearance, except the layered colors upon its collar, overlapping like lotus petals, dazzling and striking, as if made of blood and tears.

Later when the Hermit of Qing Yan heard of the story, he sighed and commented, “when demons are moved by emotions, they’re doomed to become flying ashes. Akin to the moth drawn to fire, it’s not foolishness, but fate.”

***

蝉声陪伴着行云流浪

回忆开始后安静遥望远方

荒草覆没的古井枯塘

匀散一缕过往

Cicada cries travel with the wandering clouds

I quietly looked into the distance when memories began

The ancient well and dried pond hidden in overgrown weeds

Diffused a streak of the past

晨曦惊扰了陌上新桑

风卷起庭前落花穿过回廊

浓墨追逐着情绪流淌

染我素衣白裳

Dawn awakened young mulberry trees by the country path

Winds stirred fallen flowers in the courtyard and passed through its cloisters

Ink chases the torrent of emotions

And dyed my plain white robe

阳光微凉 琴弦微凉 

风声疏狂 人间仓皇

呼吸微凉 心事微凉

流年匆忙 对错何妨

Slightly cold was the sunlight, slightly cold were zither strings

Wild was the wind, and hastily goes the mortal world

Slightly cold was my breath, slightly cold were my thoughts

So hurriedly the years flow by, why matter with rights and wrongs

你在尘世中辗转了千百年

却只让我看你最后一眼

火光描摹容颜燃尽了时间

别留我一人 孑然一身

凋零在梦境里面

You’ve wandered through the mortal world for hundreds and thousands of ages

Yet you allow me but one final glimpse 

The flames sketched your likeness, then burned through time itself

Don’t leave me all alone, bare and desolate

to wilt away in my dreams 

萤火虫愿将夏夜遗忘

如果终究要挥别这段时光

裙袂不经意沾了荷香

从此坠入尘网

Fireflies would wish to forget summer nights

If in the end they had to say goodbye to these times

My dress and sleeves heedlessly caught the fragrance of water lilies 

And I since fell into mortal’s net

屐齿轻踩着烛焰摇晃

所有喧嚣沉默都描在画上

从惊蛰一路走到霜降

泪水凝成诗行

Wooden sandals gently stepped past wavering candlelights

All clamors and silences sketched onto the paintings

Walking from the season of spring bugs till snowfall
Tears condensed into poetic lines

灯花微凉 笔锋微凉

难绘虚妄 难解惆怅

梦境微凉 情节微凉

迷离幻象 重叠忧伤

Slightly cold was the burnt candlewick, slightly cold was the drawing brush tip 

Difficult it is to sketch the surreal, difficult it is to resolve grief

Slightly cold was the realm of dreams, slightly cold was the story within

Disorientating illusions and phantasms, sadness overlapping upon sadness

原来诀别是因为深藏眷恋

你用轮回换我枕边月圆

我愿记忆停止在枯瘦指尖

随繁花褪色 尘埃散落 渐渐地渐渐搁浅

I only realized you bade farewell because of your deep hidden love

You incarnated to make me whole again

I wish memories would halt at the tip of these thin fingers

And fade with the flowers, scattered as dust, and slowly, slowly, be washed ashore

多年之后 我又梦到那天

画面遥远 恍惚细雨绵绵

Many years later, I dreamt of that day again

The scene was distant, like an endless drizzling rain

如果来生太远寄不到诺言

不如学着放下许多执念

以这断句残篇向岁月吊唁

老去的当年 水色天边 有谁将悲欢收殓

If our coming lives prove too distant for promises

Why don’t we learn to let go of our many obsessions

With these broken verses I mourn bygone years

Those aged years, by horizons the hue of water, who will lay down our joys and sorrows for their eternal rest

蝉声陪伴着行云流浪

回忆的远方

Cicada cries travel with the wandering clouds

To distances of memories past

***

I love how vivid some of the lyrics here are. Some examples that especially struck home with me was "Many years later, I dreamt of that day again; the scene was distant, like an endless drizzling rain." Simple and powerful. (More so in the original language, where I feel that the imagery evoked is even stronger.) 

Anyway, the "Record of Strange Tales" is a fictional book. But there is a historical literature piece in this genre (horror, I guess? With a dash of paranormal romance?), "Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio" (聊斋志异). It has a collection of stories featuring relationships between humans and demons, some heartwarming, some sinister. Animal demons that cultivate into human forms is a prevailing figure in Chinese folklore. 

[English translation] 故人叹 - An Old Friend's Sigh

作词//Lyrics：胡芳芳 (Hu Fang Fang)
作曲//Music：温应鸿 (Wen Ying Hong)
编曲//Arrangement：王朝 (Wang Chao)
原唱//Original vocal：吴琼 (Wu Qiong)
演唱//Cover：王胖子、排骨节操收割机、西瓜JUN (Wang Pang Zi, Pai Gu Jie Cao Shou Ge Ji, Xi Gua JUN)
后期//Post-production：排骨节操收割机 (Pai Go Jie Cao Shou Ge Ji)
修改版后期//Post-production for new version：西瓜JUN (Xi Gua JUN)


-------

风沙漫延 扰乱晴天
丹心照明月
遥望城外 兵器相见
浮生又一劫

Looming dust and sand muddled the clear sky
Only a loyal heart shone against the moon

Looking out the city walls where arms clashed

Yet another catastrophe for all lives

君独守皇宫已非昨日威严

谁在此哽咽

故人一直就站在君的面前

不问也不怨

You guard your palace alone, without the majesty of yesterdays

Who sobs here?

An old friend had always stood in your wake

With no questions nor complaints

*

君本意欲寿与天齐

留万代功名

故人西辞不问情意

有何难说明

You yearned for longevity rivalling the heavens

And leave a lasting legacy for generations to come

The old friend left with no regards for past affections

What’s so hard to explain about that

打乱了君一统天下的约定

谁可以同行

原来不需要用战争去平定

要先得人心

Our plans to unify the world under heaven together
Who can now journey with you?
You didn’t have to win it all with wars
But first win the hearts of people

故人发已衰白 风尘覆盖 

不奢求重来

只盼君能 收起战台 

断头换不来

The old friend’s hair has turned white, dusted by trials in time
We cannot hope to rewind

The only hope lies, where you could resign the fight

All’s not worth losing one’s life 

最后的城墙破开 登高望海

一片烟火海

无能为力 尸遍满地

故人心已远

With the final gates breached, looking out a high vantage point
Was a sea of smoke and flames

Helplessly watch bodies strewn across the lands

The old friend’s heart had long faded into the distance

[Repeat*]


手一挥 膝一跪

拿玉杯赐天下无罪

没有人 喊万岁

只有故人看君落泪

Arms flung, knees down

With a jade cup raised, you absolved all sins under heaven 

No one to hail “long live the emperor”
Only an old friend present to witness your falling tears

君萧萧 拨剑鞘

还以为就此一了百了

人在生 责在身 

与谁同归都不可能

A pitiful sight, you drew your sword 

Thinking it will be the end of all

Born and bound in duties

There is no others with whom to walk this path to the end

故人发已衰白 风尘覆盖 

不奢求重来

只盼君能 收起战台 

断头换不来

The old friend’s hair has turned white, dusted by trials in time
We cannot hope to rewind

The only hope lies, where you could resign the fight

All’s not worth losing one’s life 

最后的城墙破开 登高望海

一片烟火海

无能为力 尸遍满地

故人心已远

With the final gates breached, looking out a high vantage point
Was a sea of smoke and flames

Helplessly watch bodies strewn across the lands

The old friend’s heart had long faded into the distance


[Repeat chorus]


****


At the height of summer, a new emperor ascended the throne. With it, came great hopes for the unification of the world under heaven. Renowned warrior and shrewd courtier from his early days, this handsome monarch would achieve all, and live forever in the glorious pages of history. That was what many believed.

His noble ambition naturally drew the support of many. Among them, there was one youth in particular, a shining gem among men. The emperor knew talent when he saw it. With warm wine and mild candlelight, they'd converse through many long nights, sketching the empire's future on a sprawling map. There was also the spark of mutual admiration in their eyes, and the genuine gratitude that each had for the other. The emperor had not hesitate to call the youth his true friend.

A genius with the emperor's full trust, what a fearsome force it was. Battles after battles won. Cities captured. Territory expanded. The emperor quickly distinguished himself a formidable power among his enemies.

As much as the emperor, son of heaven himself, had the mandate of the gods, he was not immune to follies of the common. To have risen to so high a place, the emperor became drunk on his success. His ambition grew, his patience waned. He found the words of his friend less agreeable by the day. Once an invigorating presence, now grated on his ears. The friend said things like 'This war is not necessary.' and 'First win the hearts of people, do not make haste!" And the worst of all, 'Forgive me sire, but this is only to satiate your own ego. You are being unwise!'

He thinks himself indispensable. The emperor was set to remind him of his place. He sought his friend's council less and less. Even when his advice was given, they were seldom heard. The other courtiers hadn't troubled themselves to reconcile the emperor with his former favorite.

Dejected and ignored, the friend requested to be released from service. Why? The emperor asked. I'm growing old and sickly, unable to be of much help to you. The friend gave an equally disingenuous reply. Nonsense. You're still strong enough to chastise me. The emperor chuckled and waved his hand. He then rose from his seat, walked to his friend, and clasped his shoulders. Have faith in me. Stay, will you?

So the friend stayed, and watched his predictions come true.

Rebellions broke out. Cities after cities fell. Loyal men slaughtered in battle. Almost as quickly as his empire was built, it crumbled. It came to the very last city, the capital. People fled, and the palace deserted.

The emperor refused to leave. He walked up to the balcony and looked over his capital. It was, after all, his duty to see it to the very end.

Behind him, his old friend stood alone in the silent hall, devoid of praise for the esteemed emperor, son of heaven.

A great roar erupted in the distance. The gates had been breached. Flames and smoke spread across the lands and obscured the evening sky. Everywhere he looked, there were pieces of his selfish dream of honor and glory, in ember and ashes. Fortune had a peculiar sense of humor. The emperor couldn't help but laugh. Bitter tears couldn't put out this fire.

He filled his jade cup with wine and went down on his knees. Lifting the cup, the symbol of his authority, the emperor granted pardon to all sins under heaven.

"There shall be no one to blame. No one to blame."

That was his last decree, before he unsheathed his sword and drew a bloody end to his reign.

The friend paid his full obeisance, stood, and left. As he walked out the palace gates, into the burning capital, he thought of the emperor's graying hair, and his own. How many decades have elapsed? They had been companions only in name. Ultimately, born and bound in duties of one's own, each have their lonely path to walk to the end.


****