A Boat Across a Secluded Stream

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

Beside the western stream in Chuzhou

The grass in the quiet shade, grows in silence

Yet I happen to love them

Neither competing nor grasping, free and pure

An oriole sings in the tree

Hidden deep among the trees, call after call

[Pre-Chorus]

Tree shadows shade the mountain stream

Water murmurs softly, birdsong rings clearer still

[Chorus]

独怜幽草涧边生—I cherish only the quiet grasses growing beside the ravine

上有黄鹂深树鸣 — Above, orioles sing deep among the trees

Urged on by spring rain, the spring tide surges

野渡无人舟自横 — At the deserted ferry crossing a boat drifts broadside on its own

The ferry landing is so quiet, as if time has stopped

The little boat, lies crosswise, a scene all its own

[Verse 2]

By evening the sky has darkened

Clouds press upon the western mountains, a row of shadowed peaks

Spring rain falls without warning

The stream rises, white waves surging

The spring tide rises ever swifter

Swirling toward lower ground，traveling ever onward

[Pre-Chorus]

I quicken my steps toward the ferry crossing

Hoping, in the rain, to catch the last crossing

[Chorus]

独怜幽草涧边生—I cherish only the quiet grasses growing beside the ravine

上有黄鹂深树鸣 — Above, orioles sing deep among the trees

Urged on by spring rain, the spring tide surges

野渡无人舟自横 — At the deserted ferry crossing a boat drifts broadside on its own

The ferry landing is so quiet, as if time has stopped

The little boat, lies crosswise, a scene all its own

[Instrumental]

[Verse 3]

春潮带雨晚来急 — The spring tide, bearing rain, rushes in at dusk

The ferryman had long since left, the crossing

Reaching the ferry landing, I look

The ferry landing is empty, the rain murmurs on

That little boat is still there

The mooring rope loosens, it lies crosswise in the water

[Bridge]

Every day someone holds it open

Today at last，at ease alone

At the ferry landing where no one comes

Lying crosswise is its own little act of wilfulness

Keeping busy is its duty

Leisure is what it is, tonight’s dream

The rain slowly eases

Lying across the dusk, utterly still

[Verse 4]

I watch from beneath the eaves

Watching until my heart, too, grows clear and open

It turns out there is no need to hurry on

Life can also be this way, with light clouds and a gentle breeze

Let's wait until the rain stops

After all, the little boat, lies level across the water too

[Final Chorus]

独怜幽草涧边生—I cherish only the quiet grasses growing beside the ravine

上有黄鹂深树鸣 — Above, orioles sing deep among the trees

Urged on by spring rain, the spring tide surges

野渡无人舟自横 — At the deserted ferry crossing a boat drifts broadside on its own

The ferry landing is so quiet, as if time has stopped

The little boat, lies crosswise, a scene all its own

[Outro]

野渡无人舟自横 — At the deserted ferry crossing a boat drifts broadside on its own

At the ferry crossing in the evening rain, mist and drizzle blur the view