Close Stitches, a Late Return

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

慈母手中线，游子身上衣 (Thread in a loving mother's hand, clothes upon her wandering child)

The oil lamp's wick is trimmed again and again，the night is like water

Tomorrow I must travel far

Mother bites through, one thread end after another

The stitches are packed close together

Stitch follows stitch, without feeling tired

[Pre-Chorus]

She says it is windy outside

Stitch in another layer, to keep out the wind

[Chorus]

临行密密缝，意恐迟迟归 (Before his departure she sews close stitches, fearing he may be slow to return)

谁言寸草心，报得三春晖 — Who can say a tiny blade of grass can repay the warmth of an entire spring

Those hands beneath the lamp, stitching without tiring

Every stitch, sewn with precious care

A blade of grass offers its whole heart, yet it always feels too humble

How could I ever fully repay, the radiance of spring

[Verse 2]

She does not say she cannot bear to part

Only saying, go early and return soon

But as she kept on sewing

The charred wick fell, a little length of ash

I lower my head and pack my bags

Pretending not to see, the shattered glimmer of her tears

[Pre-Chorus]

At daybreak I must set out

She drapes the new clothes, across my back

[Chorus]

临行密密缝，意恐迟迟归 (Before his departure she sews close stitches, fearing he may be slow to return)

谁言寸草心，报得三春晖 — Who can say a tiny blade of grass can repay the warmth of an entire spring

Those hands beneath the lamp, stitching without tiring

Every stitch, sewn with precious care

A blade of grass offers its whole heart, yet it always feels too humble

How could I ever fully repay, the radiance of spring

[Instrumental]

[Verse 3]

The world outside is vast

However fierce the wind and rain, I have never retreated

When clothes tear, mend them

The skill of mending clothes, was taught to me by Mother

Running my fingers over those stitches

Like Mom’s hands, still soothing me

[Bridge]

Who says the heart of a blade of grass

What can never be fully repaid, is the kindness of spring

Mom is my spring

Warming me in the sun, lighting me with beauty

When I have made something of myself

I will bring her here, and keep her company every day

Even an inch of grass will strive with all its might to grow

To cover a hillside, with tiny flowers

[Verse 4]

Before winter comes this year

I'm setting out, flying home

Put on the clothes Mother sewed

However cold the wind and frost, my heart tastes warmth

That cry as I push open the door to home

Mother I am home, it is not even dark

[Final Chorus]

临行密密缝，意恐迟迟归 (Before his departure she sews close stitches, fearing he may be slow to return)

谁言寸草心，报得三春晖 — Who can say a tiny blade of grass can repay the warmth of an entire spring

Those hands beneath the lamp, stitching without tiring

Every stitch, sewn with precious care

A blade of grass offers its whole heart, yet it always feels too humble

How could I ever fully repay, the radiance of spring

[Outro]

谁言寸草心，报得三春晖 — Who can say a tiny blade of grass can repay the warmth of an entire spring

Don't wait until it's too late, to feel regret