Crow Shadows at Zhaoyang Palace

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

The parasol tree beside the well

Its leaves turn yellow so quickly

The pearl curtain hangs from morning till night

Letting night frost cover the windowsill

熏笼冷玉枕凉 (The incense frame is cold, the jade pillow cool)

Even color refuses to wait

[Pre-Chorus]

Lying in bed, unable to sleep

Counting the beats of the night-watch water clock in the Southern Palace

[Chorus]

奉帚平明金殿开 (Broom in hand at dawn, as the golden palace doors open)

暂将团扇共徘徊 — For now, I wander with my round silk fan

A jade-fair face cannot rival the colors on a crow's back

It even brings back sunlight from Zhaoyang Palace

Outside the curtain the frost whitens night after night

Each clear drip of the water clock strikes within my heart

[Verse 2]

In another palace hall, they are beating clothes

The pounding makes the heart sway along

The frost has fallen so thick

I still worry whether the emperor's robes keep him warm

Needle and thread beneath the silver lamp

Sewing and sewing, I drifted into a daze

[Pre-Chorus]

I set down my needle and walk to the window

My eyes lift of their own accord

[Chorus]

奉帚平明金殿开 (Broom in hand at dawn, as the golden palace doors open)

暂将团扇共徘徊 — For now, I wander with my round silk fan

A jade-fair face cannot rival the colors on a crow's back

It even brings back sunlight from Zhaoyang Palace

Outside the curtain the frost whitens night after night

Each clear drip of the water clock strikes within my heart

[Instrumental]

[Verse 3]

真是薄命久寻思 — Such an ill-fated life, pondered long and deeply

I dream of the king, both joyful and sorrowful

Awake I cannot tell what is real

I feel across the pillow，but you are gone

The firelight in the western palace shines again

Lighting the splendor of his evening feast

[Bridge]

The moon over Changxin Palace

Shines on the dust upon the steps

Beyond several layers of palace walls

The joyful voices in Zhaoyang Hall are like an ocean

I too once walked the elevated passageways

Was once his beloved too

Now only the round silk fan remains

Stay with me as I endure the long night inch by inch

[Verse 4]

White dew settles in the courtyard

The posture of slender grass laid low

The red silk bed curtains still hang

But love weighs more than the curtains can bear

As dawn draws near

Once again I must take up the broom and put things in order

[Final Chorus]

奉帚平明金殿开 (Broom in hand at dawn, as the golden palace doors open)

暂将团扇共徘徊 — For now, I wander with my round silk fan

A jade-fair face cannot rival the colors on a crow's back

It even brings back sunlight from Zhaoyang Palace

Outside the curtain the frost whitens night after night

Each clear drip of the water clock strikes within my heart

[Outro]

The autumn moon moves past the palace walls

The sound of beating laundry carries through the wall