Farewell Cambridge
Zai bie kang qiao
再别康桥
qing1 qing5 de5 wo3 zou2 le5
轻轻的我走了，
zheng4 ru2 wo3 qing1 qing1 de5 lai2
正如我轻轻的来;
wo3 qing1 qing5 de5 zhao1 shou3
我轻轻的招手，
zuo4 bie2 xi1 tian1 de5 yun2 cai3
作别西天的云彩。
Na4 he2 pan4 de5 jin1 liu3
那河畔的金柳，
shi4 xi4 yang2 zhong1 de5 xin1 niang2
是夕阳中的新娘；
bo1 guang1 li3 de5 yan4 ying3
波光里的艳影，
zai4 wo3 de5 xin1 tou2 dang4 yang4
在我的心头荡漾。
Ruan3 ni2 shang4 de5 qing1 xing2
软泥上的青荇，
you2 you2 de5 zai4 shui3 di5 zhao1 yao2
油油的在水底招摇：
zai4 kang1 he2 de5 rou2 bo1 li3
在康河的柔波里，
wo3 gan1 xin1 zuo4 yi4 tiao2 shui3 cao3
我甘心做一条水草！
Na4 yu2 yin1 xia4 d5e yi4 tan2
那榆荫下的一潭，
bu2 shi4 qing1 quan2, shi4 tian1 shang4 de5 hong2
不是清泉，是天上的虹
rou2 sui4 zai4 fu2 zao3 jian1
揉碎在浮藻间，
chen2 dian4 zhe5 cai3 hong2 si4 de5 meng4
沉淀着彩虹似的梦。
Xun2 meng4? Chen1g yi4 zhi1 chang2 ga1
寻梦？撑一支长篙，
xiang4 qing1 cao3 geng4 qing1 chu4 man4 su4
向青草更青处漫溯，
man3 zai4 yi4 chuan2 xing1 hui1
满载一船星辉，
zai4 xing1 hui1 ban1 lan2 li3 fang4 ge1
在星辉斑斓里放歌。
Dan4 wo3 bu4 neng2 fang4 ge5
但我不能放歌，
qiao2 qiao3 shi4 bie2 li2 de5 sheng1 xiao1
悄悄是别离的笙箫；
xia4 chong2 ye3 wei4 wo3 chen2 mo4
夏虫也为我沉默，
chen2 mo4 shi4 jin1 wan3 de5 kang1 qiao2
沉默是今晚的康桥！
Qiao1 qiao1 de5 wo3 zou3 le5
悄悄的我走了，
zheng4 ru2 wo3 qiao1 qiao1 de5 lai2
正如我悄悄的来；
wo3 hui1 yi4 hui1 yi1 xiu4
我挥一挥衣袖，
bu2 dai4 zou3 yi2 pian4 yun2 cai3
不带走一片云彩。
Saying Good-bye to Cambridge Again
Very quietly I take my leave,
As quietly as I came here;
Quietly I wave good-bye,
To the rosy clouds in the western sky.
The golden willows by the riverside,
Are young brides in the setting sun;
Their reflections on the shimmering waves,
Always linger in the depth of my heart.
The floating heart growing in the sludge,
Sways leisurely under the water;
In the gentle waves of Cambridge,
I would be a water plant!
That pool under the shade of elm trees,
Holds not water but the rainbow from the sky;
Shattered to pieces among the duckweeds,
Is the sediment of a rainbow-like dream.
To seek a dream? Just to pole a boat upstream,
To where the green grass is more verdant;
Or to have the boat fully loaded with starlight,
And sing aloud in the splendor of starlight.
But I cannot sing aloud,
Quietness is my farewell music;
Even summer insects keep silence for me,
Silent is Cambridge tonight!
Very quietly I take my leave,
As quietly as I came here;
Gently I flick my sleeves,
Not even a wisp of cloud will I bring away.
The translation comes from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xu_Zhimo
Song of Zai Bie Kang qiao by Zhang Qingfang 张清芳
Recite of the poem
Cambridge is well known as the home of the University of Cambridge. Cam river in Cambridge, on which xu Zhimo paddled a small boat.
Hugh Grigg, the site owner of eastasiastudent.net, studied East Asian studies at Churchill College of Cambridge in 2009. He wrote an detailed post about his experience of learning Chinese at Cambridge, which can be found at http://eastasiastudent.net/study/cambridge-chinese-first-year/
He also has a nice translation of 再别康桥 Zai bie kang qiao at http://eastasiastudent.net/china/zhongwen/xu-zhimo-goodbye-cambridge/
For more beautiful pictures of Cam river and Cambridge, see:
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/49164209
A song based on this poem by S H E S.H.E – Zai Bie Kang Qiao
Xu Zhimo biography:
Xu Zhimo was born in a town called Xiashi in Sichuan province on January 15th, 1895. At that time, China was experiencing economic slowdown. The lives of the Chinese people were very hard. Zhimo was born in a well off family where life was better off. Zhimo’s mother, Mrs Qian, liked Zhimo very much.
Zhimo was very clever as a young boy. Many people liked Zhimo, especially his grandmother, who always told him stories. Zhimo’s father hoped Zhimo would become a businessman when he grew up so that he would have a fortune. However, Zhimo aspired to be the Hamilton in China, to save all the poor people in China.
Zhimo started to study at a tender age of five. He was very bright and had good understanding ability that his teacher praised him as the cleverest beginner in the world. In old China, people preferred those children that were quiet and polite. However, Zhimo was a very naughty boy who always asked questions, so he was often scolded by his father for being disobedient.
Zhimo liked nature ever since he was born. He often went to forest alone to explore the mysteries of the nature. He loved life and regarded it as art.
In 1907, Zhimo, who was twelve at that time, went to Kaizhi School to continue his study. He was very clever and excelled in every subject. His essay was excellent and often praised by his teachers. He studied there for two years and went to Hanzhou Secondary School in 1909.
In Hanzhou Secondary School, Zhimo gradually widened his communication circle and acquainted many more friends including Yu Dafu who later became a famous Chinese writer. In Hanzhou Secondary School, the most excellent student would be the level monitor. Zhimo was elected as the level monitor for six years. Zhimo wished to fly. He once said, “the greatest mission for all human beings is to invent wings”. In 1915, Zhimo graduated from Hanzhou Secondary School.
For the complete biography of Xu Zhimo, please see:http://history.cultural-china.com/en/59H7612H12620.html