TUNE: GOLDEN CANON

Wu Hongdao

Yuan Dynasty

No more village brew?

Undistilled wine will do.

The wood I cut sold out,

Heigh!

I'll have money in my pocket, no doubt.

If you want to drink, you need not pay,

But take your gourd and follow my way.

金字经

[元]吴弘道

这家春醪尽,那家醅瓮开。

卖了肩头一担柴。

咍！

酒钱怀内揣。

葫芦在,大家提去来。

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 poet 

Wu Hongdao was a Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) poet whose many poems reveal his generous character.

About the book 

300 Yuan Songs Translated by Xu Yuanchong Published by China Intercontinental Press, Beijing, 2021