This is the first poem in The Book of Songs, China's first collection of poetry that compiled 311 poetic
songs from the 11th to the 6th century BC, and is considered a love song. In the first verse, birds sing toward each other, which evokes the loving sentiment between a pair of young lovers. The Book of Songs records the songs of the ancestors; about social and daily life, marriage and love, banquets, and war. It is a window to trace the origin of Chinese ritual and music civilization. At one time in the past, Chinese
poems were set to music. The score used for today’s concert is preserved in The Wei’s Music Score, which was collected in the 1600s and published in 1768. Scholars believe that the collection includes music
composed before the Chinese Song dynasty (960-1279) and had been handed down from generation to generation.
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关关雎鸠， 在河之洲。 窈窕淑女， 君子好逑。 |
By riverside a pair Of turtledoves are cooing; There is a maiden fair Whom a young man is wooing. |
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参差荇菜， 左右流之。 窈窕淑女， |
Water flows left and right Of cresses here and there; The youth yearns day and night For the maiden so fair. |
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寤寐求之。 求之不得， 寤寐思服。
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Water flows left and right Of cresses here and there; The youth yearns day and night For the maiden so fair. |
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悠哉悠哉， 辗转反侧。 求之不得， 寤寐思服。
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His yearning grows so strong, He cannot fall asleep, But tosses all night long, So deep in love, so deep! |
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悠哉悠哉， 辗转反侧。 参差荇菜， 左右采之。 |
Now gather left and right Cress long or short and tender! O zithers, play music light For the fiancée so slender! |
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窈窕淑女， 琴瑟友之。 l 参差荇菜， 左右芼之。 |
Feast friends at left and right On cresses cooked tender! O bells and drums, delight The bride so sweet and slender! |
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窈窕淑女， 钟鼓乐之。 |
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