Shui Diao Ge Tou (Water Song Prelude) | The Sad Lover’s Song

*Shui Diao Ge Tou is another common name of a set of lyrics for a Ci poem’s. A Ci poem is composed in ancient China as lyrics to fit a specific musical tone. Names like “Shui Diao Ge Tou” are the titles of the music tones.

*I try to imitate the style of Sylvia Plath in this translation. I feel that her style best expresses the original tone.

No more red bean flowers. Just me in this boat, unsleeping.
I remember your skin, cold white jade.
This wanting is a broken bone that won't set right.

I heave a sigh full of sorrows.
The clouds look like a stain on the sky's face.
There's no way to send this hurt. None.
The moon's a bad drunk. My own blood's the cuckoo,
Screaming its rust-colored song.

Shirt's a mess. The river hisses.
Darkness galloping in, a perfect glare.
Even the ducks are paired up.
Tucked together for the night, a sickening sight.

I blow this flute 'til my lips crack.
A bluebird comes, a feathered spy for my misery.
My grief's too small to fill these canyons.
And I wrote you six lines and a half.
The half-line? I teared on the page.

Original Poem (composed in ancient Chinese language called Wenyan)

水调歌头

红豆花落尽，船内人未眠。遥想羊脂凝玉，相思最难全。轻叹悲愿已尽，飞云仿佛挂心，愁思不能传，明月哪堪醉，浊血啼杜鹃。

青衫乱，滩声晚，照无间。鸳鸯尚有，双宿双飞最缱绻。又弄一天横笛，青鸟殷勤来听，短叹绕重山。书寄六行半，半行化泪弹。