水调歌头 Tune:"Prelude to the Melody of Water"
丙辰中秋 欢饮达旦 大醉作此篇 兼怀子由 On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival of 1076, I drank happily till dawn and wrote this in my cups while thinking of Zi-you.
明月几时有 How long will the bright moon appearò
把酒问青天 Wine-cup in hand, I ask the sky.
不知天上宫阙 I do not know what time of year
今夕是何年 It would be tonight in the palace on high.
我欲乘风归去 Riding the wind, there I would fly,
唯恐琼楼玉宇 Yet I fear the crystal palace would be
高处不胜寒 Far too high and cold for me.
起舞弄清影 I rise and dance, with my shadow I play.
何似在人间 On high as on earth, would it be as gay?
转朱阁 The moon goes round the mansion red
低绮户 Through gauze-draped windows soft to shed
照无眠 Her light upon the sleepless bed.
不应有恨 Against man she should have no spite.
何事偏向别时圆 Why then when people part is she oft full and brightò
人有悲欢离合 Men have sorrow and joy, they part or meet again;
月有阴晴圆缺 The moon may be bright or dim, she may wax or wane.
此事古难全 There has been nothing perfect since the olden days.
但愿人长久 So let us wish that man
Will live long as he can
千里共婵娟 Though miles apart, we'll share the beauty she displays.
