Farewell (extensive version)
Words: Li Shutong
Outside the pavilion, beside the ancient road, the green grass reaches the sky. The evening breeze carries the faint sound of willow flutes, and the sun sets outside the mountains.
At the end of the sky, in the corner of the earth, there are only a few close friends. A pot of turbid wine is all that's left to enjoy, don't sleep in the cold tonight.
Outside the pavilion, beside the ancient road, the green grass reaches the sky. I asked you when you will return here, and don't linger when you come back.
At the end of the sky, in the corner of the earth, there are only a few close friends. Life is rarely filled with joyous gatherings, but with many separations.
Feng Zikai's manuscript
Beside the ancient road outside Changting, the green grass reaches the sky.
The evening wind blows the willow flute, and the sun sets outside the mountains.
At the end of the sky, in the corner of the earth, there are only a few close friends.
A ladle of turbid wine will extinguish all the joy, don’t sleep in the cold tonight.
Li Shutong's handwriting of "Farewell" seems not to have survived. The first published version of "Farewell" was found in "Fifty Famous Chinese Songs" co-edited by Qiu Menghen and Feng Zikai. This book contains thirteen songs composed or composed by Li Shutong.
Published by Kaiming Bookstore in August 1927. Some people say that this book was published in 1921, which is wrong. The font of the lyrics in this book is not standard printing, but handwritten. The person who wrote it is the editor Feng Zikai. Extended information
Song Appreciation:
"Farewell" does not involve education, has a long meaning, and the combination of music and literature is perfect. The lyrics are written in a long and short sentence structure, with concise language, sincere feelings and profound artistic conception. The song has a three-part structure, with each section consisting of two phrases.
The first and third sections are exactly the same. The music rises and falls gently, depicting evening scenes such as pavilions, ancient roads, sunsets, and the sound of flutes, setting off a quiet and desolate atmosphere. The first phrase of the second section is in sharp contrast to the previous one, and the emotion turns into excitement, which seems to be a deep sigh.
The second phrase reproduces the second phrase of the first phrase with slight changes, appropriately expressing the sadness of saying goodbye to a friend.
These similar or even repeated phrases in the song do not give people a cumbersome and nagging impression. Instead, they strengthen the integrity and unity of the work and give it a special sense of beauty.
"Outside the long pavilion, beside the ancient road, the green grass reaches the sky. The evening wind blows the willow flute, and the sunset is outside the mountain..." The faint flute sound blows out the sadness of separation, and the beautiful lyrics write the farewell mood. Listen to To give people mixed feelings. The beginning and end echo the poet’s sentiments: seeing through the world of mortals.
Reference material: Baidu Encyclopedia-Farewell