This is a poem from the Chinese Han Dynasty (221 BCE - 220 CE) and collected in the Poetry Collection
of the Han Yuefu. In 112 BCE, the Han court created Yuefu, an institution to manage the teaching of music, dance, and singing. The Yuefu's duty also included collecting lyrics and poems and setting the music for performances for court sacrifices or banquets. The score of the song used in today’s concert is also from the Wei’s Music Score.
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青青园中葵， 朝露待日晞。 阳春布德泽， 万物生光辉。 常恐秋节至， 焜黄华叶衰。 |
Green the mallow in the garden, Waiting for sunlight to dry the morning dew; Bright spring diffuses virtue, Adding fresh luster to all living things. Yet I dread the coming of autumn When leaves turn yellow and the flowers fade. |
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百川东到海， 何时复西归？ |
A hundred streams flow eastwards to the ocean, Nevermore to turn west again; And one who mis-spends his youth In old age will grieve in vain. |
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少壮不努力， 老大徒伤悲。 |
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