Story Behind This Song:
This is a fictional story about a female opera performer set
during the historical period of Japan’s invasion of China.
Japanese officers enter the theater to hear the woman sing.
The opera actress, looking at the Japanese officers in the
audience, endures the performance, concealing her true feelings.
However as the opera continues, the theater starts to burn.
A fire had been set outside the theater before they entered,
with the intention of sacrificing herselves along with the enemy.
The actress sings amidst the raging fire until she turns into ashes.
However as the opera continues, the theater starts to burn.
A fire had been set outside the theater before they entered,
with the intention of sacrificing herselves along with the enemy.
The actress sings amidst the raging fire until she turns into ashes.
Lyrics:
情不知所起一往而深
qíng bù zhī suǒ qǐ yī wǎng ér shēn
Emotions arise without knowing the reason, deepening as they go.
戏一折水袖起落
xì yī zhé shuǐ xiù qǐ luò
A play stars, sleeves rise and fall.
唱悲欢唱离合无关我
chàng bēi huān chàng lí hé wú guān wǒ
Singing of sorrows and joys, singing of separation and reunion, Conveying emotions that are not my own
扇开合锣鼓响又默
shàn kāi hé luó gǔ xiǎng yòu mò
As the fan opens and closes, the sound of the gong and drum resonates and then falls silent.
镜湖外 茶一盏 还温热
jìng hú wài chá yī zhǎn hái wēn rè
Outside the Mirror Lake, a cup of tea is still warm.
惯将喜怒哀乐都融入粉墨
guàn jiāng xǐ nù āi lè dōu róng rù fěn mò
Accustomed to blending joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness into my makeup.
陈词唱穿又如何
chén cí chàng chuān yòu rú hé
Repeatly singing the clichés, so what?
白骨青灰皆我
bái gǔ qīng huī jiē wǒ
Even if I were merely bones and ash, I would still be myself.
乱世浮萍忍看烽火燃山河
luàn shì fú píng rěn kàn fēng huǒ rán shān hé
In chaotic times, like drifting duckweed, I endure watching the flames burning my country.
位卑未敢忘忧国
wèi bēi wèi gǎn wàng yōu guó
Despite my humble position, I dare not forget my concern for the country.
哪怕无人知我
nǎ pà wú rén zhī wǒ
Even if no one knows me.
台下人走过不见旧颜色
tái xià rén zǒu guò bù jiàn jiù yán sè
People below the stage walk past don’t know the old history.
台上人唱着心碎离别歌
tái shàng rén chàng zhe xīn suì lí bié gē
She on the stage sings songs of heartbreak and parting.
情字难落墨她唱须以血来和
qíng zì nán luò mò tā chàng xū yǐ xuè lái hé
The word “love” is hard to express; she sings with blood to chord
戏幕起 戏幕落 谁是客
xì mù qǐ xì mù luò shuí shì kè
As the curtain rises and falls, who is the guest?
浓情悔认真
nóng qíng huǐ rèn zhēn
Deep emotions and regrets are sincere.
回头皆幻景
huí tóu jiē huàn jǐng
Looking back, everything seems like an illusion.
情不知所起一往而深
qíng bù zhī suǒ qǐ yī wǎng ér shēn
Emotions arise without knowing the reason, deepening as they go.
戏一折水袖起落
xì yī zhé shuǐ xiù qǐ luò
A play stars, sleeves rise and fall.
唱悲欢唱离合无关我
chàng bēi huān chàng lí hé wú guān wǒ
Singing of sorrows and joys, singing of separation and reunion, Conveying emotions that are not my own
扇开合锣鼓响又默
shàn kāi hé luó gǔ xiǎng yòu mò
As the fan opens and closes, the sound of the gong and drum resonates and then falls silent.
镜湖外 茶一盏 还温热
jìng hú wài chá yī zhǎn hái wēn rè
Outside the Mirror Lake, a cup of tea is still warm.
惯将喜怒哀乐都融入粉墨
guàn jiāng xǐ nù āi lè dōu róng rù fěn mò
Accustomed to blending joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness into my makeup.
陈词唱穿又如何
chén cí chàng chuān yòu rú hé
Repeatly singing the clichés, so what?
白骨青灰皆我
bái gǔ qīng huī jiē wǒ
Even if I were merely bones and ash, I would still be myself.
乱世浮萍忍看烽火燃山河
luàn shì fú píng rěn kàn fēng huǒ rán shān hé
In chaotic times, like drifting duckweed, I endure watching the flames burning my country.
位卑未敢忘忧国
wèi bēi wèi gǎn wàng yōu guó
Despite my humble position, I dare not forget my concern for the country.
哪怕无人知我
nǎ pà wú rén zhī wǒ
Even if no one knows me.
台下人走过不见旧颜色
tái xià rén zǒu guò bù jiàn jiù yán sè
People below the stage walk past don’t know the old history.
台上人唱着心碎离别歌
tái shàng rén chàng zhe xīn suì lí bié gē
She on the stage sings songs of heartbreak and parting.
情字难落墨她唱须以血来和
qíng zì nán luò mò tā chàng xū yǐ xuè lái hé
The word “love” is hard to express; she sings with blood to chord
戏幕起 戏幕落 谁是客
xì mù qǐ xì mù luò shuí shì kè
As the curtain rises and falls, who is the guest?
浓情悔认真
nóng qíng huǐ rèn zhēn
Deep emotions and regrets are sincere.
回头皆幻景
huí tóu jiē huàn jǐng
Looking back, everything seems like an illusion.
也曾问青黄
yě céng wèn qīng huáng
I also once asked about what is right and wrong
也曾铿锵唱兴亡
yě céng kēng qiāng chàng xīng wáng
I also once sang resolutely about nation’s rise and fall.
道无情 道有情 怎思量
dào wú qíng dào yǒu qíng zěn sī liáng
The world is indifferent or emotional, how should one consider?
道无情 道有情 怎思量
dào wú qíng dào yǒu qíng zěn sī liáng
The world is indifferent or emotional, how should one consider?
望燕云 望汴梁 梦一晌
wàng yàn yún wàng biàn liáng mèng yī shǎng
Gazing Yanyun, looking at Bianliang, all are like a dream in an instant.