Song of the South · Thousands Upon Thousands of Hate
- Poetry of Xin Qiji

《南歌子·万万千千恨》
Song of the South · Thousands Upon Thousands of Hate by Xin Qiji
中文原文

万万千千恨，前前后后山。

傍人道我轿儿宽。

不道被他遮得、望伊难。

今夜江头树，船儿系那边。

知他热后甚时眠。

万万不成眠后、有谁扇。

English Translation

Thousands upon thousands of hate, in front and behind all mountains.

Those by the side say my sedan chair is spacious.

Does not say being sheltered by it, [makes it] difficult to look out to him.

Tonight the river head lined with trees, the boat will be moored over there.

Who knows when he will fall asleep in this heat?

Should he absolutely not be able to sleep, who is to fan him?

Song of the South is originally a song title from the Tang Dynasty musical houses, later a category/genre(?) of poetry/song that follows a particular tune.

The lyrics/poem composed by Song Dynasty poet Xin Qi Ji, speaks from a female’s point of view, vividly depicting a woman who is foolishly in love, longing for her lover.

This woman is deprived of the right to publicly bid her lover farewell, only able to hide within her sedan, quietly watching her sweetheart leave afar, perhaps the man does not even know she is there, yet she is still ever so passionately devoted, worried whether he can sleep well in the summer heat, leaving us with this ending line that holds the richest of feelings.

- Last updated: 2024-07-02 17:25:12
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How to read a Chinese poem?
Like an English poem, but more so. Everything is there for a reason, so try to find that reason. Think about all the possible connotations, and be aware of the different possibilities of number and tense. Look for contrasts: within lines, between the lines of each couplet and between successive couplets. Above all, don't worry about what the poet meant- find your meaning.

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