A Long Song, a Libation to the Moon

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

The river wind turns the old register of names page by page

The stones along the shore can still hear that sea of fire

The young general takes victory and defeat into his gaze

A gust of wind changed the fate of a thousand warships

[Pre-Chorus]

I stand at the ferry landing many years later

Watching the waves carry the applause away too

[Chorus]

I raise a cup of moonlight to the mountains and rivers

A toast to the choices once made with such passion

Names flicker deep within history

The river still sings a song without end

There is no need to blame anything for my whitening hair

I still have tonight's sweeping vastness

[Instrumental Interlude]

[Verse 2]

I remember how, in youth, I covered my sleeves with dreams of fame

Now I understand better why a lamp stays lit, waiting

The hero's face draws near through smoke and dust

He too once held ordinary cares within his heart

[Pre-Chorus]

I stand at the ferry landing many years later

Watching the waves carry the applause away too

[Chorus]

I raise a cup of moonlight to the mountains and rivers

A toast to the choices once made with such passion

Names flicker deep within history

The river still sings a song without end

There is no need to blame anything for my whitening hair

I still have tonight's sweeping vastness

[Bridge]

I will not borrow an ageless face from days gone by

Nor measure the time remaining by regret

If a lifetime is only a wave crest in the long river

Then light up this moment before merging back into the water

[Final Chorus]

I raise a cup of moonlight to the mountains and rivers

A toast to the choices once made with such passion

Names flicker deep within history

The river still sings a song without end

There is no need to blame anything for my whitening hair

I still have tonight's sweeping vastness

[Outro]

The empty cup reflects a quiet, radiant moon

The river wind turns a fresh page for me