To the Tune of [Chieh yü hua] - Lantern Festival
- Poetry of Zhou Bangyan

The candle flames redden the breeze;

The lotus lanterns seem to freeze.

The sky brightens the fair and the fair the sky.

The titles are steeped in moonlight

When fleecy clouds disperse in flight,

The Moon Goddess would come down from on high.

In elegant dress appear

The southern maidens tender

With waist so slender.

The drums boom far and near,

The crowd’s shadows rise and fall,

Fragrance wafts over all. 

I remember the capital’s lantern night:

A thousand doors overwhelmed with light,

People made merry in laughter.

From golden cabs silk handkerchiefs dropped down,

The gallants ran after

The cabs as dim dust raised by steeds in the town.

But years have passed

Now I see only for my part

With an unfeeling heart

How time flies fast.

The cabs will not come back again

And people have sung and danced in vain.