Willow Shadows Carry Autumn's Song

[Verse One]

The east wind blows willow branches across the singing feast

A thousand willow strands brighten the eyes in the spring garden

New twigs brush my sleeves in lovely spring light

How often song and dance have stirred the deepest feelings

[Lead-in]

Who knew that autumn had only just turned clear

Autumn cicadas insist on singing into the evening breeze

[Chorus]

The spring scenery of those days touched my heart most deeply

When song and dance fall silent, listen to the cicadas

Once, a thousand strands hung emerald green

Now the whole tree carries autumn's sound

I cannot bear my troubled life growing old with autumn

The slanting sun lights my shadow, the evening breeze is clear

[Interlude]

[Verse 2]

The willows of old followed the dancers’ shadows

Long branches brush gently to accompany the singing

The willows’ color is still as it was

Autumn first stirs upon the branches

[Lead-in]

Who knew that autumn had only just turned clear

Autumn cicadas insist on singing into the evening breeze

[Chorus]

The spring scenery of those days touched my heart most deeply

When song and dance fall silent, listen to the cicadas

Once, a thousand strands hung emerald green

Now the whole tree carries autumn's sound

I cannot bear my troubled life growing old with autumn

The slanting sun lights my shadow, the evening breeze is clear

[Bridge]

Looking back at the place of song and dance in those days

Let me listen to a few cicada calls through the long day

The slanting sun lights up the place of silence

Half lingering warmth, half cool clarity

[Final Chorus]

The spring scenery of those days touched my heart most deeply

When song and dance fall silent, listen to the cicadas

Once, a thousand strands hung emerald green

Now the whole tree carries autumn's sound

I cannot bear my troubled life growing old with autumn

The slanting sun lights my shadow, the evening breeze is clear

[Outro]

The evening breeze brushes softly past the willow before the courtyard

At dusk, I listen to cicadas alone