Nothing Holds Such Longing

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

As soon as spring arrives in the southern lands

The red beans turn red, coloring a little corner of the world

It makes no noise or fuss

Quietly red, utterly red

Like words left unspoken

Stored up all winter, turning red as a lasting mark

[Pre-Chorus]

Spring asks how many branches it has

It says nothing, just keeps glowing red

[Chorus]

红豆生南国，春来发几枝 — Red beans grow in the southern lands, how many branches sprout when spring arrives?

愿君多采撷，此物最相思 — Gather more of these, I pray, for nothing speaks more deeply of longing

One tiny bean, beyond anyone's power to replace

To see red beans is to see you

Gather a handful and tuck them against my heart

Wherever I go，I think of you

[Verse 2]

Plucking is a gentle motion

A pinch between two fingers, a gentle lift

Pick one bean and think of someone

The more I gather, the more closely longing gathers

It was never worth much money

Its value lies in conveying, a heartfelt message for someone

[Pre-Chorus]

When you cannot put longing into words

Let the red beans, carry a message for you

[Chorus]

红豆生南国，春来发几枝 — Red beans grow in the southern lands, how many branches sprout when spring arrives?

愿君多采撷，此物最相思 — Gather more of these, I pray, for nothing speaks more deeply of longing

One tiny bean, beyond anyone's power to replace

To see red beans is to see you

Gather a handful and tuck them against my heart

Wherever I go，I think of you

[Instrumental]

[Verse 3]

You are in the south beyond the south

Across distant mountains and rivers，I count the beans

Counting them one by one

As I keep counting, my eyes grow wet

How many more times has spring returned

The red upon the branches, gains a few more brushstrokes

[Bridge]

Even plants and trees can speak

It is simply expressed, a little more subtly

Red beans speak most plainly of love

One bean, is worth a thousand words

Put it in an envelope

The letter paper is light, the longing tightly packed

It has no words to say

The one who opens the letter, becomes a kindred spirit

[Verse 4]

There is no need to gather more handfuls

One kept close to the heart, and we count as together

Ah, spring has come again

The newly formed red seeds, more eager than last year

Waiting for the day you return

When the red beans ripen, it will be time to return

[Final Chorus]

红豆生南国，春来发几枝 — Red beans grow in the southern lands, how many branches sprout when spring arrives?

愿君多采撷，此物最相思 — Gather more of these, I pray, for nothing speaks more deeply of longing

One tiny bean, beyond anyone's power to replace

To see red beans is to see you

Gather a handful and tuck them against my heart

Wherever I go，I think of you

[Outro]

春来又发几枝 (How many new branches will sprout when spring returns?)

Every seed is filled with longing