This poem is almost the simplest of China's ancient poems, with only eight words, but its popularity is very high. Why is it not included in The Book of Songs? I think it may be related to its writing form: four sentences are different from the Book of Songs. Some people think that this is a folk song in the era of the Yellow Emperor, but there is no conclusive evidence. Some people think it is a hunting song in ancient tribal times. According to Chen Yin, who made bows and arrows for Gou Jian, the King of Yue, this poem is a ballad of an ancient dutiful son protecting his parents' bones and driving away animals. In a word, this poem is basically the earliest poem recognized by later generations;
Image of Broken Bamboo Song
2. "The Song of Digging the Earth": Do it at sunrise, rest every day, dig a well and drink, plow and eat. This kind of life is uncomfortable, and no one envies the power of the emperor.
This poem is said to have been sung by an old man in the period of Emperor Yao. The first four sentences vividly describe the simple life of ancient people, and the last sentence rises to sing the satisfaction and pride in the singer's heart. If it really came from the period of Emperor Yao, it would be about 4000 years, many years earlier than the Book of Songs.
3. "Song of the South Wind": The three mountains are steep, and the five old people in the sky welcome me to sing. There is a yellow dragon coming from the river, and the book is a snake. When the coolness of the south wind blows, the sorrows of the nations can be relieved. When the south wind blows slowly, it will enrich the people's property.
Nanfengge image
In fact, from the literal writing and rhetoric, we know that this poem is much younger than the first two. Do you think it is similar to Li Sao? Its writing time, according to the Book of Rites: "Qian Shun sang the south wind as a banjo"; Records of Historical Records of Le Shu record: "The south wind rules the world, and the south wind is also the sound of growth". Everyone agrees that this poem was written in the period of "Shun Di". After Yao, it is Shun, so Song of the South Wind should be the third ancient poem before The Book of Songs.
4. Qing Yun Ge: Qing rhyme is decadent and clumsy. The sun and moon are brilliant, and the sun is brilliant. Clearly in the sky, rotten but star Chen. The sun and the moon compete for glory, more than one person. The sun and the moon remain the same, and the stars are wired. Since four o'clock, the surname is Yuncheng. Giving alms to talk about joy is worthy of heaven. I'm not afraid to listen. It's a drum, it's a dance. The essence is exhausted, so let it be.
Shun gave way to Yu Yu.
According to legend, this poem was sung by Shun Chan at the ceremony of abdication in the world, describing a scene of peace and prosperity and peace and happiness. Shun also took this opportunity to show his intention to retire after success, and even expressed his blessing to the people all over the world after Dayu. Therefore, Qing Yun Ge is naturally an ancient poem after Nanfeng Song and before The Book of Songs.