May We Be Blessed with Longevity

While I am not always sophisticated nor constant with my online presence, here is something I’d like to share.

The Chinese song “May We Be Blessed with Longevity” originated as a famous poem written by Song dynasty poet Su Shi. It is part of a literary genre that is unique to the Song dynasty and has been sung to melody.

 

When will the moon be clear and bright?

With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the clear sky.

In the heavens on this night,

I wonder what season it would be?

I’d like to ride the wind to fly home.

Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions

are much too high and cold for me.

Dancing with my moonlit shadow,

It does not seem like the human world.

The moon rounds the red mansion,

Stoops to silk-pad doors,

Shines upon the sleepless,

Bearing no grudge,

Why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart?

People experience sorrow, joy, separation and reunion,

The moon may be dim or bright, round or crescent shaped,

This imperfection has been going on since the beginning of time.

May we all be blessed with longevity,

Though thousands of miles apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.