Bathed in orchids, heat and scent,
Colored clothes, falling flowers—

The spirits gather


Chaos

Sparkling bright

Words outright

The sun and moon in equal light


A Dragon sails in heavenly clothes

Swirling in troubled throes

The Spirit descends

In whirling clouds

To see the islands around


Across the seas, now poor,

I long for my lord

Without rest, worried

When all is stressed





Original Chinese


Traditional


Simplified


Pronunciation


九歌 雲中君

九歌 云中君

jiǔ gē yún zhōng jūn




浴蘭湯兮沐芳,

兰汤兮沐芳,

yù lán tāng xī mù fāng

華采衣兮若英;

采衣兮若英

huá cǎi yī xī ruò yīng ;

靈連蜷兮既留,

蜷兮既留,

líng lián quán xī jì liú

爛昭昭兮未央;

昭昭兮未央;

làn zhāo zhāo xī wèi yāng ;

謇將憺兮壽宮,

謇将憺兮寿

jiǎn jiāng dàn xī shòu gōng

與日月兮齊光;

与日月兮光;

yǔ rì yuè xī qí guāng ;

龍駕兮帝服,

龙驾兮帝服,

lóng jià xī dì fú

聊翺遊兮周章;

游兮周章;

liáo áo yóu xī zhōu zhāng ;

靈皇皇兮既降,

灵皇皇兮既降

líng huáng huáng xī jì jiàng

猋遠舉兮雲中;

远举兮云中;

biāo yuǎn jǔ xī yún zhōng ;

覽冀洲兮有余,

冀洲兮有余,

lǎn jì zhōu xī yǒu yú

橫四海兮焉窮;

横四海兮焉

héng sì hǎi xī yān qióng ;

思夫君兮太息,

思夫君兮太息,

sī fū jūn xī tài xī

極勞心兮忡忡;

心兮忡忡;

jí láo xīn xī chōng chōng;



Translation Notes



九歌 雲中君

Nine Songs Clouds Midst Lord



浴蘭湯兮沐芳,

Bathe orchids hot-water xi bath fragrant,

華采衣兮若英;

Magnificent colored clothes xi like flower-petals;

靈連蜷兮既留,

Spirits join huddle xi both…and… stop;

爛昭昭兮未央;

Chaotic bright bright xi not-yet over;

謇將憺兮壽宮,

Speak-out-boldly going-to peace xi long-life palace,

與日月兮齊光;

And sun moon xi equal light;

龍駕兮帝服,

Dragon sail xi emperor/god clothes,

聊翺遊兮周章;

Just soar wander xi circumference section;

[Circumference section = efforts, troubles, pains]

靈皇皇兮既降,

Spirit royal ruler xi then descend,

[Royal ruler = exhuberant, prosperous]

猋遠舉兮雲中;

Whirlwind distant raise xi clouds midst;

覽冀洲兮有余,

Look-at hope-for island xi have my;

[Have my = have an abundance]

橫四海兮焉窮;

Across/unexpected/harsh four seas xi thereupon poor;

思夫君兮太息,

Think man lord xi very rest/cease,

極勞心兮忡忡;

Utmost labor heart xi sad uneasy;

[Labor heart = worry]





Year: 
2013