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