Seeing off my guests at night at the Xunyang terminal of the Yangtze,
Maple leaves and white reed flowers scatter over a green field an autumn scene.
I had dismounted from my horse and boarded a boat were my guests,
We raised our drinks to toast but there was no music to the atmosphere complement;
Inebriated we became but gathered little enjoyment as parting drew near,
By this time, soaking in the vast river waters was a reflection of the moon.
Suddenly from over the waters came the sound of pipa play,
That had me forgetting to home return and my guests reluctant to set their sail.
We followed the melody and enquired, “who plays?”
The performance stopped and hesitating was the reply.
We floated our boat over to request a meeting,
Then we called for more wine and dishes to go with it, and had the lamps rekindled.
It was after many invitations, call after call, before she showed herself,
Even then, she held her pipa close and revealed only half of her countenance.
She picked a few notes as she her pipa strings tightened and tuned,
Evoking a sentimental appeal even before a melody was played.
It was as if every string held suppressed emotions released note by note,
As if recounting her disappointing life that didn't her expectations meet, not even close.
She lowered her head and continue to casually pick and strum,
Emptying out what had been repressed within, her misery and sorrows.
Her was skilled with the strings, be it a light pluck, a slow stroke, a strum or a pick,
Firstly she played the tune, the Rainbow Dress and Feather Robes, then the Little Six.
Like pelting rain, the bass strings give a deep and raucous timbre,
Like a whisper, the treble strings spring a light and gentle tone;
Notes high and low a composition form as she played,
It was like countless beads of large and small falling onto a jadeite plate.
At one time it flowed agreeably like the warble of orioles flitting through flowers,
Then it turned into a seemingly suppressed sob of spring water over a sandy trail.
Frigid seemed the strings uttering notes sounding like springs cold and jolted,
Cold and jolted, it came to a halt.
Muted was the music, yet gloomy was the stillness that had begun to regret manifest,
Right then, no sound could compete with what such a resounding silence could carry.
All of a sudden, it was like an exploding water bottle bursting forth splashes and sprays,
Or like the clanking of crossing swords when the cavalry makes a raid.
At the end of a tune, she gathered the strings in the heart of the pipa in a stroke,
The music from all four strings end on a silk tear of a note.
There was her boat and there was ours, both carrying silence,
In the river waters there reflected the autumn moon brightly aglow.
In her reticence she replaced the pick among the pipa strings,
She then smoothed her clothes to stand up and put on a reserved expression.
She said: “I had my origin in the capital,
My home was in the southern red-light district.
At the age of thirteen, I became learned in pipa,
In the performers' circle, I was the one with top-notch distinction.
At the end of my performance, even music masters would offer their compliments,
With make-up my visage would sicken many a courtesan with jealousies.
Young men of the capital's noble hills would rush before me to riches proffer,
For every tune I played, I received countless pieces of silk and satin.
Many of my hairpins and jewellery fell to pieces as I clapped to the beats as I sang,
My scarlet silk skirt was used to becoming stained with tipped over drinks.
Year after year time went by in cheers as I made my living,
In my neglect, beautiful scenes of the changing seasons had slid by.
One day, my brother was conscripted by the army and my aunt died,
Gone was dawn and arrived dusk, overnight my looks were a thing of the past;
Coaches seldom came by my door to bring any to attention pay,
Being past my prime, I had little option but to marry a trader.
In business, parting plays second fiddle to achievable profits,
Just last month he set off for Fuliang to buy tea.
Leaving me here by the terminal minding the boat.
A bright moon makes the waters seem colder as I stay on board and afloat.
Deep in the night I'd dream of my youthful years,
Sometimes I'd wake up with tears running rusty streaks on my powdered face.”
Her pipa play already had me heaving sighs of lament,
Hearing her account further depressed me deep in grief.
We are both disadvantaged wayfarers of this world,
Must we be acquaintances in order to compassion show as our paths cross?
“As for me, I left the capital last year,
To come to my demoted post here in the town of Xunyang, and fell ill.
Xunyang is remote in location and there is no music around,
All year round I've heard not a note of orchestral sound.
Where I live is close to the Pen River, a damp low-lying area,
Yellow reeds and bitter bamboos around my cottage thrive.
In such an environment what do I have to listen to day and night?
Nothing but blood-weeping cuckoos and howling gibbons.
Be it a flowering spring day on the river or a moonlit autumn night,
I would often take out some wine to drink by myself.
You may ask, aren't there folk lores and local flutes?
Yet harsh and hoarse they seem, hardly music to ears.
Tonight upon hearing your pipa play,
It was like immersing in heavenly sounds enlightening my sense of hearing.
Please decline not, play us an encore,
I shall write for you a poem on your pipa play, an ode.”
She heard me and there long she stood,
Then she sat down, tightened the strings and plucked a tune of rapid movement.
Sad and sombre was the tone, unlike the sonorous melodies of before,
This time everyone there covered their faces to sob.
Among them who shed tears the most?
It had to be a lieutenant of the River State, so drenched in tears was his blue robe.
潯陽江頭夜送客，
楓葉荻花秋瑟瑟。
主人下馬客在船，
舉酒欲飲無管弦；
醉不成歡慘將別，
別時茫茫江浸月。
忽聞水上琵琶聲，
主人忘歸客不發。
尋聲暗問彈者誰？
琵琶聲停欲語遲。
移船相近邀相見，
添酒回燈重開宴。
千呼萬喚始出來，
猶抱琵琶半遮面。
轉軸撥弦三兩聲，
未成曲調先有情。
弦弦掩抑聲聲思，
似訴平生不得志。
低眉信手續續彈，
說盡心中無限事。
輕攏慢撚抹復挑，
初為霓裳後六么。
大弦嘈嘈如急雨，
小弦切切如私語：
嘈嘈切切錯雜彈，
大珠小珠落玉盤。
間關鶯語花底滑，
幽咽泉流水下灘。
水泉冷澀弦凝絕，
凝絕不通聲漸歇。
別有幽愁暗恨生，
此時無聲勝有聲。
銀瓶乍破水漿迸，
鐵騎突出刀鎗鳴。
曲終收撥當心畫，
四弦一聲如裂帛。
東船西舫悄無言，
唯見江心秋月白。
沈吟放撥插弦中，
整頓衣裳起斂容。
自言本是京城女，
家在蝦蟆陵下住。
十三學得琵琶成，
名屬教坊第一部。
曲罷曾教善才服，
妝成每被秋娘妒。
五陵年少爭纏頭，
一曲紅綃不知數。
鈿頭銀篦擊節碎，
血色羅裙翻酒汙。
今年歡笑復明年，
秋月春風等閑度。
弟走從軍阿姨死，
暮去朝來顏色故；
門前冷落車馬稀，
老大嫁作商人婦。
商人重利輕別離，
前月浮梁買茶去。
去來江口守空船，
繞船月明江水寒。
夜深忽夢少年事，
夢啼妝淚紅闌干。
我聞琵琶已歎息，
又聞此語重唧唧。
同是天涯淪落人，
相逢何必曾相識？
我從去年辭帝京，
謫居臥病潯陽城。
潯陽地僻無音樂，
終歲不聞絲竹聲。
住近湓江地低濕，
黃蘆苦竹繞宅生。
其間旦暮聞何物？
杜鵑啼血猿哀鳴。
春江花朝秋月夜，
往往取酒還獨傾。
豈無山歌與村笛？
嘔啞嘲哳難為聽。
今夜聞君琵琶語，
如聽仙樂耳暫明。
莫辭更坐彈一曲，
為君翻作琵琶行。
感我此言良久立，
卻坐促弦弦轉急。
淒淒不似向前聲，
滿座重聞皆掩泣。
座中泣下誰最多？
江州司馬青衫濕。
Maple leaves and white reed flowers scatter over a green field an autumn scene.
I had dismounted from my horse and boarded a boat were my guests,
We raised our drinks to toast but there was no music to the atmosphere complement;
Inebriated we became but gathered little enjoyment as parting drew near,
By this time, soaking in the vast river waters was a reflection of the moon.
Suddenly from over the waters came the sound of pipa play,
That had me forgetting to home return and my guests reluctant to set their sail.
We followed the melody and enquired, “who plays?”
The performance stopped and hesitating was the reply.
We floated our boat over to request a meeting,
Then we called for more wine and dishes to go with it, and had the lamps rekindled.
It was after many invitations, call after call, before she showed herself,
Even then, she held her pipa close and revealed only half of her countenance.
She picked a few notes as she her pipa strings tightened and tuned,
Evoking a sentimental appeal even before a melody was played.
It was as if every string held suppressed emotions released note by note,
As if recounting her disappointing life that didn't her expectations meet, not even close.
She lowered her head and continue to casually pick and strum,
Emptying out what had been repressed within, her misery and sorrows.
Her was skilled with the strings, be it a light pluck, a slow stroke, a strum or a pick,
Firstly she played the tune, the Rainbow Dress and Feather Robes, then the Little Six.
Like pelting rain, the bass strings give a deep and raucous timbre,
Like a whisper, the treble strings spring a light and gentle tone;
Notes high and low a composition form as she played,
It was like countless beads of large and small falling onto a jadeite plate.
At one time it flowed agreeably like the warble of orioles flitting through flowers,
Then it turned into a seemingly suppressed sob of spring water over a sandy trail.
Frigid seemed the strings uttering notes sounding like springs cold and jolted,
Cold and jolted, it came to a halt.
Muted was the music, yet gloomy was the stillness that had begun to regret manifest,
Right then, no sound could compete with what such a resounding silence could carry.
All of a sudden, it was like an exploding water bottle bursting forth splashes and sprays,
Or like the clanking of crossing swords when the cavalry makes a raid.
At the end of a tune, she gathered the strings in the heart of the pipa in a stroke,
The music from all four strings end on a silk tear of a note.
There was her boat and there was ours, both carrying silence,
In the river waters there reflected the autumn moon brightly aglow.
In her reticence she replaced the pick among the pipa strings,
She then smoothed her clothes to stand up and put on a reserved expression.
She said: “I had my origin in the capital,
My home was in the southern red-light district.
At the age of thirteen, I became learned in pipa,
In the performers' circle, I was the one with top-notch distinction.
At the end of my performance, even music masters would offer their compliments,
With make-up my visage would sicken many a courtesan with jealousies.
Young men of the capital's noble hills would rush before me to riches proffer,
For every tune I played, I received countless pieces of silk and satin.
Many of my hairpins and jewellery fell to pieces as I clapped to the beats as I sang,
My scarlet silk skirt was used to becoming stained with tipped over drinks.
Year after year time went by in cheers as I made my living,
In my neglect, beautiful scenes of the changing seasons had slid by.
One day, my brother was conscripted by the army and my aunt died,
Gone was dawn and arrived dusk, overnight my looks were a thing of the past;
Coaches seldom came by my door to bring any to attention pay,
Being past my prime, I had little option but to marry a trader.
In business, parting plays second fiddle to achievable profits,
Just last month he set off for Fuliang to buy tea.
Leaving me here by the terminal minding the boat.
A bright moon makes the waters seem colder as I stay on board and afloat.
Deep in the night I'd dream of my youthful years,
Sometimes I'd wake up with tears running rusty streaks on my powdered face.”
Her pipa play already had me heaving sighs of lament,
Hearing her account further depressed me deep in grief.
We are both disadvantaged wayfarers of this world,
Must we be acquaintances in order to compassion show as our paths cross?
“As for me, I left the capital last year,
To come to my demoted post here in the town of Xunyang, and fell ill.
Xunyang is remote in location and there is no music around,
All year round I've heard not a note of orchestral sound.
Where I live is close to the Pen River, a damp low-lying area,
Yellow reeds and bitter bamboos around my cottage thrive.
In such an environment what do I have to listen to day and night?
Nothing but blood-weeping cuckoos and howling gibbons.
Be it a flowering spring day on the river or a moonlit autumn night,
I would often take out some wine to drink by myself.
You may ask, aren't there folk lores and local flutes?
Yet harsh and hoarse they seem, hardly music to ears.
Tonight upon hearing your pipa play,
It was like immersing in heavenly sounds enlightening my sense of hearing.
Please decline not, play us an encore,
I shall write for you a poem on your pipa play, an ode.”
She heard me and there long she stood,
Then she sat down, tightened the strings and plucked a tune of rapid movement.
Sad and sombre was the tone, unlike the sonorous melodies of before,
This time everyone there covered their faces to sob.
Among them who shed tears the most?
It had to be a lieutenant of the River State, so drenched in tears was his blue robe.
潯陽江頭夜送客，
楓葉荻花秋瑟瑟。
主人下馬客在船，
舉酒欲飲無管弦；
醉不成歡慘將別，
別時茫茫江浸月。
忽聞水上琵琶聲，
主人忘歸客不發。
尋聲暗問彈者誰？
琵琶聲停欲語遲。
移船相近邀相見，
添酒回燈重開宴。
千呼萬喚始出來，
猶抱琵琶半遮面。
轉軸撥弦三兩聲，
未成曲調先有情。
弦弦掩抑聲聲思，
似訴平生不得志。
低眉信手續續彈，
說盡心中無限事。
輕攏慢撚抹復挑，
初為霓裳後六么。
大弦嘈嘈如急雨，
小弦切切如私語：
嘈嘈切切錯雜彈，
大珠小珠落玉盤。
間關鶯語花底滑，
幽咽泉流水下灘。
水泉冷澀弦凝絕，
凝絕不通聲漸歇。
別有幽愁暗恨生，
此時無聲勝有聲。
銀瓶乍破水漿迸，
鐵騎突出刀鎗鳴。
曲終收撥當心畫，
四弦一聲如裂帛。
東船西舫悄無言，
唯見江心秋月白。
沈吟放撥插弦中，
整頓衣裳起斂容。
自言本是京城女，
家在蝦蟆陵下住。
十三學得琵琶成，
名屬教坊第一部。
曲罷曾教善才服，
妝成每被秋娘妒。
五陵年少爭纏頭，
一曲紅綃不知數。
鈿頭銀篦擊節碎，
血色羅裙翻酒汙。
今年歡笑復明年，
秋月春風等閑度。
弟走從軍阿姨死，
暮去朝來顏色故；
門前冷落車馬稀，
老大嫁作商人婦。
商人重利輕別離，
前月浮梁買茶去。
去來江口守空船，
繞船月明江水寒。
夜深忽夢少年事，
夢啼妝淚紅闌干。
我聞琵琶已歎息，
又聞此語重唧唧。
同是天涯淪落人，
相逢何必曾相識？
我從去年辭帝京，
謫居臥病潯陽城。
潯陽地僻無音樂，
終歲不聞絲竹聲。
住近湓江地低濕，
黃蘆苦竹繞宅生。
其間旦暮聞何物？
杜鵑啼血猿哀鳴。
春江花朝秋月夜，
往往取酒還獨傾。
豈無山歌與村笛？
嘔啞嘲哳難為聽。
今夜聞君琵琶語，
如聽仙樂耳暫明。
莫辭更坐彈一曲，
為君翻作琵琶行。
感我此言良久立，
卻坐促弦弦轉急。
淒淒不似向前聲，
滿座重聞皆掩泣。
座中泣下誰最多？
江州司馬青衫濕。
and understood the philosophy 
