Water Melody - When will the bright moon grace the sky?

English translation of an ancient Chinese poem. 《水调歌头-明月几时有》中译英

At a friend

Fishear

’s request. This Cí (詞)¹ poem is written by Su Shi in Song Dynasty (1037-1101 A.D.) in the very night of Middle-Autumn Festival, presumably one of the 10 most famous ancient Chinese poems and has been recited again and again for generations to express longing for loved ones, with or without a full moon.

When will the bright moon grace the sky?
I raise my cup and ask the heavens up high.
What year is this—
In those stellar palaces?
I long to ride the winds and soar back there,
But fear that in the realms of jade and light,
Only the chill reigns at such a height.
My shadow dances with the moonbeams clear,
Even celestial joys couldn’t surpass these here.

Turning past crimson chambers,
Through latticed windows low,
The moon gazes upon sleepless soul.
Dear moon, should you bear no sorrow?
Why shine fullest to our parting hearts hollow?
As mortals know joy and grief, union and divide,
The moon waxes and wanes, with shades that glide,
Perfection has never been, since ancient times.
I wish you live long, safe and sound, though far apart,
Share this radiant beauty with a single heart.

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(An alternative translation for the first line suggested by

Fishear

, which offers another interesting perspective:)
Since when the bright moon has begun to grace the sky?

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《水调歌头-明月几时有》

明月几时有？
把酒问青天。
不知天上宫阙，
今夕是何年。
我欲乘风归去，
又恐琼楼玉宇，
高处不胜寒。
起舞弄清影，
何似在人间。

转朱阁，
低绮户，
照无眠。
不应有恨，
何事长向别时圆？
人有悲欢离合，
月有阴晴圆缺，
此事古难全。
但愿人长久，
千里共婵娟。

1. Cí (詞) is one of the literary genres that are unique to the Song Dynasty, and can be sung to melody. And this particular Cí does come with a song with modern melody. Here’s the YouTube Video: Song

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