Flute Shadows in High Autumn

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

The city of Chang’an at dawn

Cloud and mist flow slowly, like a river chilled through

The palaces of the Han emerge

Amid autumn's colors, towering and spare

High autumn stands motionless

Only the wild geese, depart in a line

[Pre-Chorus]

A few lingering stars remain

Shining until the very last moment, before agreeing to fade

[Chorus]

残星几点雁横塞，长笛一声人倚楼 — A few fading stars, geese crossing the frontier; a long flute sounds, someone leans against a tower

云雾凄凉拂曙流，汉家宫阙动高秋 — Clouds and mist drift bleakly through dawn, the Han palace towers stir in high autumn

紫艳半开篱菊静，红衣落尽渚莲愁 — Purple chrysanthemums bloom halfway in stillness by the fence, the islet’s lotuses grieve with all their red robes fallen

鲈鱼正美不归去，空戴南冠学楚囚 — The perch are delicious now, yet I do not go home, vainly wearing a southern cap like a captive from Chu

Dawn is near，and I am still leaning high in the tower

So much longing for home, travels south with the geese

[Verse 2]

From whose home comes that flute

A single note blows, and crumples the heart

I lean against the railing of the little tower

The flute's song and the wild geese, one after the other

This long note of the flute

It leaves the listener's heart, aching and clenched

[Pre-Chorus]

Purple chrysanthemums by the fence are half in bloom

Blooming quietly, neither contending nor asking

[Chorus]

残星几点雁横塞，长笛一声人倚楼 — A few fading stars, geese crossing the frontier; a long flute sounds, someone leans against a tower

云雾凄凉拂曙流，汉家宫阙动高秋 — Clouds and mist drift bleakly through dawn, the Han palace towers stir in high autumn

紫艳半开篱菊静，红衣落尽渚莲愁 — Purple chrysanthemums bloom halfway in stillness by the fence, the islet’s lotuses grieve with all their red robes fallen

鲈鱼正美不归去，空戴南冠学楚囚 — The perch are delicious now, yet I do not go home, vainly wearing a southern cap like a captive from Chu

Dawn is near，and I am still leaning high in the tower

So much longing for home, travels south with the geese

[Instrumental]

[Verse 3]

The red lotuses on the islet have all fallen

Among withered leaves lies moored, an empty boat

What is the lotus grieving over

Are you remembering too, those old days

I understand what is on its mind

Here in Chang'an, my heart at a ferry landing in Jiangdong

[Bridge]

The perch back home are plump now

The longing to return home, rises in my throat again

But I still remain in Chang’an

Wearing a southern cap, confined like a captive of Chu

Is it for fame and rank

Unable to say, what achievement I am waiting for

The flute begins to sound again

This time, to my surprise, I hear a little tenderness

[Verse 4]

A fish-belly pallor spreads along the horizon

The geese set out again, bound for the river islets

Should I pack my bags

Or wait a little longer, find a reason

Let us listen to the flute to the end first

Let this last note end, then we can make our plans

[Final Chorus]

残星几点雁横塞，长笛一声人倚楼 — A few fading stars, geese crossing the frontier; a long flute sounds, someone leans against a tower

云雾凄凉拂曙流，汉家宫阙动高秋 — Clouds and mist drift bleakly through dawn, the Han palace towers stir in high autumn

紫艳半开篱菊静，红衣落尽渚莲愁 — Purple chrysanthemums bloom halfway in stillness by the fence, the islet’s lotuses grieve with all their red robes fallen

鲈鱼正美不归去，空戴南冠学楚囚 — The perch are delicious now, yet I do not go home, vainly wearing a southern cap like a captive from Chu

Dawn is near，and I am still leaning high in the tower

So much longing for home, travels south with the geese

[Outro]

长笛一声人倚楼 — A long flute sounds, someone leans against the tower

Returning is unhurried, staying is unhurried too