Qīng míng 清明 Tomb Sweeping Festival
by Dù Mù 杜牧 (803–852, Tang Dynasty)
清明时节雨纷纷，
路上行人欲断魂。
借问酒家何处有？
牧童遥指杏花村
qīngmíng shíjié yǔ fēnfēn
lù shàng xíngrén yù duàn hún
jiè wèn jiǔjiā héchù yǒu
mùtóng yáo zhǐ xìnghuā cūn
English Translation from Wikipedia
A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day
The mourner’s heart is going to break on his way
Where can a wine shop be found to drown his sad hours?
A cowherd points to a cot’ mid apricot.
English Translation from eChinaExpat
Heavy raindrops fall like tears on Qing Ming,
Even the people on the street look lifeless.
Where can I find a wine shop to drink?
The shepherd boy points to Xing Hua Village.
English Translation by Wu Junta (pdf)
(I just love the 3rd line in this version)
It drizzles thick on the Pure Brightness Day
I travel with my heart lost in disway
“Is there a public house somewhere, cowboy?”
He points at Apricot Bloom Village faraway.
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