TUNE: SHEEP ON THE SLOPE THOUGHTS IN WINTER

Qiao Ji 

Yuan Dynasty (about 1280-1345)

For a month I've left home,

Lodge in hospice and roam.

Where can I get a frugal meal without pay?

Shunning society,

Without old company,

From whom can I borrow when I've spent my gold?

Again it's winter solstice today.

Where's wine on credit sold?

Where's mume against the cold?

山坡羊·冬日写怀 

[元]乔吉

离家一月,闲居客舍,

孟尝君不费黄齑社。

世情别,故交绝,

床头金尽谁行借？

今日又逢冬至节。

酒,何处赊？梅,何处折？

About the poet 

Qiao Ji is a Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) literati who has been described by many as the "sad" poet. His talent was little appreciated when he was alive and he only started to shine after he passed away.

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 Yuan Songs Translated by Xu Yuanchong Published by China Intercontinental Press