TUNE: SONG OF DIVINATION

Li Zhiyi

(1048-1117, Northern Song Dynasty)

I live upstream and you downstream.

From night to night of you I dream.

Unlike the stream you're not in view,

Though we both drink from River Blue.

When will the water no more flow?

When will my grief no longer grow?

I wish your heart would be like mine,

Then not in vain for you I pine.

卜算子

[北宋]李之仪

我住长江头,君住长江尾。

日日思君不见君,共饮长江水。

此水几时休？此恨何日已？

只愿君心似我心,定不负相思意。

About the poet 



Li Zhiyi, a Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) poet who had a close relationship with Su Shi, one of China's most renowned literati. Su was a brother-like figure to Li and the two helped with each other with their literature creations.



About the translator 



Xu Yuanchong (1921-2021) was born in Nanchang in East China's Jiangxi Province. He was a professor of literary translation at Peking University.

About the book 



300 Song Lyrics Translated by Xu Yuanchong Published by China Intercontinental Press