Slowly Unfolding Autumn Light

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

Autumn leaves little by little

Without a sound, without stopping

The red leaves on the steps

Falling in countless numbers all over the steps

I count them one by one

Counting until dusk comes and I concede defeat

[Pre-Chorus]

The calendar turns to the ninth day of the ninth month

Another year brings the custom of climbing the heights

[Chorus]

Autumn's light slowly fades, beyond holding

At dusk when red leaves cover the steps

Once more, a place to climb on the Double Ninth

The dogwood's fragrance trails along the whole way

The scent of purple chrysanthemums fills the courtyard and doorways

Evening haze and fine rain obscure the way home

[Verse 2]

On the terrace, I lean on the railing and gaze into the distance

The wind is filled, with a fragrant mist of dogwood and chrysanthemums

This time the year before last

Those climbing the heights still made up a whole procession

Now I come alone

Alone, looking at a picture that fills the mountains

[Pre-Chorus]

This same day has come again this year

The space beside me feels empty as a stage with its curtain down

[Chorus]

Autumn's light slowly fades, beyond holding

At dusk when red leaves cover the steps

Once more, a place to climb on the Double Ninth

The dogwood's fragrance trails along the whole way

The scent of purple chrysanthemums fills the courtyard and doorways

Evening haze and fine rain obscure the way home

[Instrumental]

[Verse 3]

A fine rain began at dusk

Smoke wraps the courtyard in a blur

Purple chrysanthemums bloom in the rain

However beautifully they bloom, no one stops

The flowers that person once gazed upon

Now bloom with a little loneliness and sorrow

[Bridge]

A line of newly arrived wild geese flies south

Their calls sound harmonious, as though they are crying

Their voices choke in the cold

Calling in cold, cramped cries

They called like this last year too

Calling out the same sorrow year after year

So this thing called sorrow and regret

Takes on a new face every year

[Verse 4]

What cannot be kept, let go

Seeing it partway off with my eyes counts as some amends

The sorrows are still the same sorrows

Resentment still holds its old intensity

It is just that I have slowly learned

To hang them in the old wardrobe of my heart

[Final Chorus]

Autumn's light slowly fades, beyond holding

At dusk when red leaves cover the steps

Once more, a place to climb on the Double Ninth

The dogwood's fragrance trails along the whole way

The scent of purple chrysanthemums fills the courtyard and doorways

Evening haze and fine rain obscure the way home

[Outro]

I will come again next Double Ninth Festival

Sorrow and resentment are still familiar clothes