Seeking the Way 步虛歌
By Yuan Xi Version A: Translation by Jennifer Zeng | Rendition by Damian Robin
Our human world waves like a mirage blur,
So little stays the same.
I have no roots, a driven traveler
Without a family name.
My shadow shimmers. Crowds across the lake
Don’t comprehend. They take
My search as empty dreaming, lonely sorrow.
I seek the Way, to know,
So loneliness cannot be pushed away.
On high is my heart’s home.
When breezes blow, I am a flute at play,
The wind, my heavenly dome.
By Yuan Xi | Version B: Translation by Jennifer Zeng | Rendition by Gerard Traub
Our human world is full of illusions
Everything comes and goes
Nothing is here forever
I was born into this world as a traveler
Equally bewildered when I arrived as when I leave
My shadow won't stay by the side of the cool lake
Nor can those upon the other shore reach or understand me
With empty dreams I wander around
Sorrow my companion
I seek the Way
But this loneliness can hardly be driven away
My heart longs for its homeland above the clouds
When the wind blows
I disappear with the soft sound of flute
Whilst heavenly breeze caresses me all around
( 以上英文譯自元曦如下中文詩。)
步虛歌
人世有大偽 代謝總無常
我生如過客 來去兩茫茫
寒潭不留影 空花隔岸香
紅塵多夢眼 一朝感悽惶
道心唯寂寞 常在水雲鄉
風起橫笛去 吹動羽衣涼
