"Farewell" is a song written by Li Shutong in 1915. The melody is taken from the American song "Dreaming of Home and Mother" composed by John Pound Otway.
In the 19th century, the American composer John Pond Otway composed the song "Dreaming of Home and Mother". After this song spread to Japan, the Japanese lyricist Inu Tongqiu adopted it. The melody of "Dream of Home and Mother" fills in the lyrics of a song called "Traveler's Sorrow". Li Shutong traveled to Japan from 1905 to 1910 to study, studying oil painting and musical drama.
He came into contact with Dog Boy Qiuxi's "Traveler's Sorrow" and translated the lyrics: "The west wind is blowing, the autumn is getting deeper, and the autumn face touches the hearts of the guests. I am alone, melancholy and drifting, and the cold light shines alone. I recall my hometown. , Thinking of old friends, meeting parents in the high hall. Where can I find them after a long journey to the countryside? "
In 1915, one winter after her return to China, there was heavy snowfall, and old Shanghai was desolate. . Li Shutong bid farewell to his friend Xu Huanyuan in tears, but did not even enter his friend's home. Li Shutong watched the retreating figure of his former friend and stood in the snow for a full hour, not even hearing Miss Ye Zi's many calls. Later, Li Shutong returned to the house, closed the door, and asked Miss Ye Zi to play the piano. He wrote "Farewell" with tears in his eyes. Li Shutong made a few modifications to the original song and added new lyrics.
Song Appreciation:
The lyrics of "Farewell" are divided into two parts. In the former part, the author depicts a scene of upcoming farewell from different levels and aspects.
As a third person, it is used to narrate that a friend is about to travel a long distance, and the two of them, as best friends, will go their separate ways from now on, so they go a long way to the outside of the Changting Pavilion. Changting Pavilion was usually a plank road in ancient times. For travelers to take a rest or to see off friends, the pavilion is a metaphor for the separation of two people. There is vast loneliness beside the ancient road, and the grass stretches as far as the eye can see, showing a lonely scene, marking the farewell from different angles.