Member Poem

The Lute Player

 
Liu Changqing (709-785)
 
 
As water flows, your lute of seven strings . . .
I hear the wind between the winter pines.
You pull an ancient tune that, though I love,
The players now can hardly play the lines.
 
 

Chinese   彈琴 劉長卿   泠泠七絃上 靜聽松風寒 古調雖自愛 今人多不彈

Pronunciation   Dàn Qín Liú Chángqīng   Líng líng qī xián shàng Jìng tīng sōng fēng hán Gǔ diào suī zì ài Jīn rén duō bù dàn

 
 
Transliteration and Notes
 
Play Lute
 
Flow flow seven stringed instrument
Quiet listen pine-tree wind cold
Ancient tune though I love
Today’s people much not play
 
     The characters for “flow flow” represent the sound of water flowing. The poet is moved by the lute player’s ancient tune, a sad one reminding him of the cold wind as it moves through pine trees. He compliments the player’s smooth play, like water, and laments that few modern players play that tune, which he loves.