The Face of the Sky, the Colors of the Sea

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

Shen lies across the sky, the Dipper turns

It is nearly the third watch of the night

The boat moves across the dark sea

Walking steadily and lightly

Days of rain and days of wind

Tonight the sky suddenly clears

[Pre-Chorus]

As though even heaven feels remorse

And specially clears this expanse of pristine sky

[Chorus]

Clouds disperse, the moon shines bright, who is needed to adorn it

天容海色本澄清 — The face of heaven and the hues of the sea are clear by nature

Even after dying nine times in the southern wilderness, I make no complaint

兹游奇绝冠平生 (This wondrous journey surpasses all others in my life)

Wind and rain splashed half my body with mud

Wash it away and my true nature remains

[Verse 2]

The clouds part layer by layer

The moon lights the sea, clear and crystalline

No one hangs lanterns

And no one lights a lamp

Yet here between this sea and sky

So pure it gives the heart a start

[Pre-Chorus]

Confucius spoke of “乘桴浮海,” taking a raft out upon the sea

Tonight, I suppose I have fulfilled that dream for him

[Chorus]

Clouds disperse, the moon shines bright, who is needed to adorn it

天容海色本澄清 — The face of heaven and the hues of the sea are clear by nature

Even after dying nine times in the southern wilderness, I make no complaint

兹游奇绝冠平生 (This wondrous journey surpasses all others in my life)

Wind and rain splashed half my body with mud

Wash it away and my true nature remains

[Instrumental]

[Verse 3]

Music begins to sound faintly over the sea

Could it be Xuanyuan, playing music in concert upon the sea

I understood it only roughly

That is heaven and earth tuning their clock

The rhythm of waves striking the boat's sides

Every beat lands squarely in my heart

[Bridge]

Someone feels indignant on my behalf

Saying these repeated banishments are truly unjust

I wave my hand and smile

Life in the wild south truly is not easy

But I have eaten lychees and tasted coconuts

My friends of the Li people treat me with deep affection

A lifetime like this

A wondrous encounter others could never find, however much they wished

[Verse 4]

The boat is still heading north

Dawn is near, the sea breeze faintly cold

I turn to look southward

That sea where I lived in exile is very calm

I clasp my hands in salute to it

Thanking it for giving me, these wonders along the way

[Final Chorus]

Clouds disperse, the moon shines bright, who is needed to adorn it

天容海色本澄清 — The face of heaven and the hues of the sea are clear by nature

Even after dying nine times in the southern wilderness, I make no complaint

兹游奇绝冠平生 (This wondrous journey surpasses all others in my life)

Wind and rain splashed half my body with mud

Wash it away and my true nature remains

[Outro]

Orion fades and the Dipper tilts

Sky and sea, clear all the way until dawn