A Dream Left by a Golden Hairpin

[Intro]

[Verse 1]

The old hairpin still holds the warmth of a palm

Yet the palace walls have weathered several turns of dust

That year, the dance onstage had not yet ended

Then drums outside the city hurriedly shattered the journey home

[Pre-Chorus]

On a rainy night, I hear bells in the distance

Each chime sounds like your name, never turning back

[Chorus]

The old hairpin made no promise of forever on our behalf

It remembers only the true affection of that night

If the story has reached the edge of what cannot be reclaimed

I still want to offer a heartfelt apology

The old hairpin made no promise of forever on our behalf

May love no longer ask anyone to repay it with a lifetime

[Instrumental Interlude]

[Verse 2]

The road back is longer than when I left

The familiar flowers once more brighten the empty window

I search between the waking world and dreams

Only then do I understand that loss refuses to yield a direction

[Pre-Chorus]

On a rainy night, I hear bells in the distance

Each chime sounds like your name, never turning back

[Chorus]

The old hairpin made no promise of forever on our behalf

It remembers only the true affection of that night

If the story has reached the edge of what cannot be reclaimed

I still want to offer a heartfelt apology

The old hairpin made no promise of forever on our behalf

May love no longer ask anyone to repay it with a lifetime

[Bridge]

I will not blame women for all the world's wrongs

Do not take a single vow as the full measure of responsibility

When splendor finally settles into ordinary life

Every true heart deserves a place of tender care

[Final Chorus]

The old hairpin made no promise of forever on our behalf

It remembers only the true affection of that night

If the story has reached the edge of what cannot be reclaimed

I still want to offer a heartfelt apology

The old hairpin made no promise of forever on our behalf

May love no longer ask anyone to repay it with a lifetime

[Outro]

Gently I put the keepsake back into its box

Let one whispered “take care” travel through the remaining years