Rice Fragrance in a Riverside Village

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

Dawn has just broken mist still curls around the little bridge

I gently settle my restless traveling heart

The flowers by the fence still wear drops of water

Someone smiles and asks where I am going today

[Pre-Chorus]

Do not let distant places hold only haste

Clear skies await you at your feet too

[Chorus]

A little slower, oh a little slower

Let a gust of wind smooth away my frown

One cloud in the sky is enough to give shade

Where someone laughs, there is a hometown

The roads I have traveled still grow within my heart

With the fragrance of rice upon me, I sail onward

[Instrumental Interlude]

[Verse 2]

Afternoon shadows fall upon my clothes

Fruit, half green and half yellow, weighs down the branch tips

How many shoulders has the old burden passed through

Someone is keeping a bowl of hot soup for me

[Pre-Chorus]

Do not let distant places hold only haste

Clear skies await you at your feet too

[Chorus]

A little slower, oh a little slower

Let a gust of wind smooth away my frown

One cloud in the sky is enough to give shade

Where someone laughs, there is a hometown

The roads I have traveled still grow within my heart

With the fragrance of rice upon me, I sail onward

[Bridge]

Without asking how far tomorrow will take me

For today, let me treasure this passing wind

If you too are rushing through this rugged human world

Remember to look up, there is still a patch of daylight

[Final Chorus]

A little slower, oh a little slower

Let a gust of wind smooth away my frown

One cloud in the sky is enough to give shade

Where someone laughs, there is a hometown

The roads I have traveled still grow within my heart

With the fragrance of rice upon me, I sail onward

[Outro]

Gently pack the fine weather into my traveling bag

The next stretch of road has fragrant flowers beside it too