Lyrics · LT201

Short Lyrics

Short, delicate song lyrics under 58 characters.

546works

5dynasties

78authors

Tang

83 works

618–907

  1. Deva-Like Barbarian: Layered Hills of Gold Shimmer and FadeWen TingyunIlluminating blossoms in front and rear mirrors, flower and face reflect in mutual radiance. Newly pasted on embroidered silk tunic, paired golden partridges in flight.
  2. Deva-Like Barbarian: Crystal Pillow Behind Crystal BlindsWen TingyunAbove the river, willows like mist; wild geese fly across a sky of the waning moon.
  3. Water Clock Song: Jade Incense BurnerWen TingyunLeaf after leaf, drop after drop, it drips on the empty steps until dawn.
  4. Dreaming of the South: Ten Thousand RegretsWen TingyunA thousand, ten thousand regrets; the deepest regret is for one at the edge of the sky.
  5. Deva-Like Barbarian: Everyone Speaks of the Splendor of JiangnanWei ZhuangSpring waters are greener than the sky; falling asleep listening to rain aboard a painted boat.
  6. Deva-Like Barbarian: Now I Recall the Joys of JiangnanWei ZhuangRiding a steed leaning by the slanted bridge, entire pavilions of crimson sleeves waved in greeting.
  7. Deva-Like Barbarian: Melancholy Farewell Night at Red ChamberWei ZhuangAs I went out the door under the waning moon, my lovely one bade farewell in tears.
  8. Lotus Leaf Cup: Remembering That Year Beneath the FlowersWei ZhuangNow we are both strangers in far lands, with no way ever to meet again.
  9. The Daoist Priestess: The Seventeenth of the Fourth MonthWei ZhuangHolding back tears, I feign a lowered face; shy, I half lower my brows. …… Except for the moon at the edge of the sky, no one knows.
  10. Wutong Shadow · The Setting Sun SlantsLü Dongbin (Lü Yan)Will my old friend come tonight or not? Waiting, I stand until the wutong's shadow is gone.
  11. Wine Spring Song: Flowers Glow Among the WillowsWen TingyunLately, letters both ways have grown sparse; the inner chamber stands empty and lonely.
  12. Song of the South: A Golden Parrot in Her HandWen TingyunBetter to give herself in marriage and be mandarin ducks together.
  13. Song of the South: Willows Like RibbonsWen TingyunOn the nine avenues the dust turns toward dusk: he follows the scented carriage.
  14. Song of the South: Her Hair Falls LowWen TingyunFor you I have wasted away in the season of a hundred flowers.
  15. Song of the South: Fine Gold on Her CheeksWen TingyunBeyond the curtain an oriole trills a hundred notes, stirring her heart toward you.
  16. Song of the South: Dusting Yellow on Her BrowWen TingyunOn the bright moonlit night of the fifteenth, facing that fair face.
  17. Song of the South: Eyes That Glance Like RipplesWen TingyunThinking of you, my heart is near to breaking; I resent the spring night.
  18. Song of the South: Too Listless to Smooth the PillowWen TingyunOf late my heart aches all the more, because I long for you.
  19. Lotus Leaf Cup: Autumn Moon on Mirror WaterWen TingyunA young girl, rouged and powdered, faces the cold waves; forlorn, she is lost in thought.
  20. Lotus Leaf Cup · A Drop of Dew Congeals ColdWen TingyunGreen stems and red blooms tangle together; heart-breaking, the wind off the water is cool.
  21. Lotus Leaf Cup · The Girl of Chu Would Go Home to the Southern ShoreWen TingyunHer little boat rocks and drifts into the flowers; waves rise, and the west wind lies between.
  22. Willow Branch Song · The Longest Strands Outside Yichun ParkWen TingyunJust here, where the fair one's heart breaks: a channel of spring water, a red-railed bridge.
  23. Willow Branch Song · Outside the Guanwa Palace, West of YeWen TingyunThe willows make the young lord long for home, not the fragrant grass so lush and green.
  24. Willow Branch Song · Beside the Imperial Road East of the Southern Palace WallWen TingyunApricot blossoms have feeling too; why do willows break a traveller's heart the most?
  25. Willow Branch Song · Ten Thousand Willow Strands Before Su Xiao's DoorWen TingyunOrioles fall silent as the east wind rises; behind the shut gate, willows sway with a dancer.
  26. Willow Branch Song · Threads of Gold Hang Thick by the Green-Tiled GuttersWen TingyunAt dusk they bring the Dragon Pool rain, half brushing the railing, half drifting indoors.
  27. Willow Branch Song · Orioles in Pairs, Golden as GoldWen TingyunIn spring it grows of itself as long as thread; a pity it ties and tangles a roving man's heart.
  28. Willow Branch Song · Imperial Willows Like Silk over the PalaceWen TingyunBeside Jingyang Tower, thousands of boughs, each a face newly made up, waiting for the dawn wind.
  29. Willow Branch Song · By the Brocade Loom the Orioles ChatterWen TingyunAt the frontier gates the third month is still bleak; even with drooping willows, no spring is felt.
  30. Willow Branch Song · Spring Enters the Travelling PalaceHuangfu SongNow the willows turn green over an empty city; who will ever again take up the jade flute and play?
  31. Willow Branch Song · When Spring in Full Bloom Returns to the Land of WatersHuangfu SongOrioles call and call beside the empty chamber; Xi Shi has no way ever to know.
  32. Picked Fresh · Pour a CupHuangfu SongOne night of wind and rain on the crowded blossoms, and the branches are bare.
  33. Picked Fresh · Picked FreshHuangfu SongIn a whole life we get this only some tens of times; spread the fragrant mat.
  34. Dreaming of the South · The Orchid Wick Burns DownHuangfu SongIdly I dream of the south when the plums are ripe: a flute on a night boat, rain softly falling.
  35. Dreaming of the South · Asleep UpstairsHuangfu SongIn a dream I see the sad affairs of Moling: peach blossom and willow down fill the river city.
  36. Lotus-Picking Song · Fragrant Lotus over Ten Qing of PondHuangfu SongToward evening, playing with the water, she wets the bow, then takes off her red skirt to wrap the ducklings.
  37. Lotus-Picking Song · The Boat Moves on the Bright Autumn LakeHuangfu SongOn a whim she tosses lotus seeds across the water, is seen from afar, and blushes half the day.
  38. Lament of the Foreign Girl · Fragrant Snow Fully Open on Ten Thousand BoughsWen TingyunNo word comes home from Yanmen Pass; only the swallows fly back again.
  39. Lament of the Foreign Girl · On the Sands South of the Desert, Startled Geese RiseWen TingyunParting grief in the painted tower, the brocade screen empty; the apricot blossoms are red.
  40. Lament for a Distant Land · Leaning on the Embroidered RailWen TingyunThe crabapple blossoms have fallen, and the rain drifts down.
  41. Lament for a Distant Land · Flowers Half OpenWen TingyunThe pearl blind still down, the dream in fragments, she hears the dawn oriole with a pang.
  42. The Heavenly Immortal · Over the Clear Fields a Single Egret FliesHuangfu SongOn this day young Liu takes leave of his immortal at the silk-spread feast.
  43. The Heavenly Immortal · Azaleas Bloom, Their Red upon the WaterHuangfu SongThe traveller comes home only after a year, from ten thousand li away.
  44. Settling the Western Tribes · The Han Envoy Parted Years AgoWen TingyunA thousand li away, spring snow at the Jade Gate; the geese come back, but the man does not.
  45. Settling the Western Tribes · The Sea Swallow, About to Fly, PreensWen TingyunIn the tower the moon of the fifteenth shines bright into the latticed window.
  46. Settling the Western Tribes · Fine Rain, Dawn Orioles, Late SpringWen TingyunHeartbreaking, the news from the frontier pass; the geese come seldom.
  47. Wine Spring Song · Sun on the Gauze WindowWen TingyunIn last night's make-up she leans forlorn in the high pavilion; far off, the clouds thin.
  48. Wine Spring Song · The Girl of Chu Does Not Go HomeWen TingyunA letter of eight lines, a dream a thousand miles long, and wild geese flying south.
  49. The Daoist Priestess · Shy and SmilingWen TingyunShe sends word to her fair young companions: seek the immortals early.
  50. The Daoist Priestess · Rosy Cape and Cloud-Like HairWen TingyunSome day she will ride the simurgh away; do not leave me behind.
  51. Wine Spring Song · The Silk Sash Holds the ScentWen TingyunHer silk sash still holds the scent, still tied with the red love-beans from their parting.
  52. Peace and Happiness · Late Spring at ShangyangWen TingyunPhoenix curtains and duck quilts are perfumed in vain; flowers lock a thousand silent gates.
  53. Peace and Happiness · Luoyang, Sorrow Past BearingWen TingyunAll day travellers break the willow boughs, and under the bridge the water sobs.
  54. The River God · From the River I See the Grove ShrineWen TingyunSomewhere a cuckoo cries without end; the bright red azaleas have all bloomed, like blood.
  55. The River God · A Lone Shrine Faces the Cold TideWen TingyunLooking back, both hearts are desolate; where does the parted soul drift now?
  56. The River God · Bronze Drums for the Festival of the GodWen TingyunAt parting the oars sound empty and forlorn; her lovely face is sad, her makeup thin.
  57. Deva-Like Barbarian · Boudoir Feelings: Mist over the Level WoodsLi Bai (traditionally attributed)Where is the road of return? A long pavilion, and then a shorter pavilion.
  58. Remembering the Lady of Qin · Autumn Thoughts: The Flute SobsLi Bai (traditionally attributed)The west wind, the lingering sunset, the tombs and gate-towers of the Han.
  59. Everlasting Longing · Parting: The Bian River FlowsBai JuyiThe longing ends only when he comes home; under the bright moon she leans on the tower.
  60. Water Clock Song · On Its Theme: Long Willow ThreadsWen TingyunThe red candle turned away, the curtain lowered: I dream of you, and you never know.
  61. Deva-Like Barbarian · Pollen-Yellow on Her BrowWen TingyunWho knows what is in her heart? Only bright moonlight on branches full of flowers.
  62. Deva-Like Barbarian · Kingfisher Plumes, Gold Thread, Twin DucksWen TingyunAt the carved lattice she faces spring flowers, while word from the Jade Gate grows scarce.
  63. Deva-Like Barbarian · Apricot Blossom, Dewy Scented SnowWen TingyunThe spring dream still holds her heart as she sees her light cicada-wing hair in the mirror.
  64. Deva-Like Barbarian · Bright Moon over the Jade TowerWen TingyunFlowers fall, the cuckoo calls, and at the green window the last of a dream is lost.
  65. Deva-Like Barbarian · Phoenixes Facing in Gold ThreadWen TingyunNo word from him comes home, yet before the spring festival the swallows return in pairs.
  66. Deva-Like Barbarian · Peonies Fallen, Orioles SilentWen TingyunHe is far away, her tears keep falling, swallows fly and spring is waning again.
  67. Deva-Like Barbarian · Moonlit Palace, White Pear BlossomWen TingyunThe willows are tender green again; the swallows come home, but you do not.
  68. Deva-Like Barbarian · Jewelled Case and Golden DucksWen TingyunBetween her phoenix mirror and the flowering branch, who could know what she feels?
  69. Deva-Like Barbarian · Catkins Heaped in the South GardenWen TingyunAs the day turns to dusk, she leans alone and listless in the doorway.
  70. Deva-Like Barbarian · The Bright Moon at MidnightWen TingyunFlowers fall, the moon wanes, and only the brocade quilt knows how cold the dawn is.
  71. Deva-Like Barbarian · Silk-Tree Blossom after RainWen TingyunSpring water flows under the stream bridge as she leans on the rail, heartsick.
  72. Deva-Like Barbarian · Bamboo Wind on the Cold CourtyardWen TingyunSpring sorrow holds her heart as the last night-watch strokes sound from the painted tower.
  73. Water Clock Song · Few Stars, Bells and Drums at RestWen TingyunSpring is nearly over, the longing has no end, and old joys seem like a dream.
  74. Water Clock Song · A Golden Sparrow HairpinWen Tingyun (traditionally attributed)Incense burns to tassels of ash, the candle turns to tears, just like the hearts of us two.
  75. Water Clock Song · Seldom Met, Long RememberedWen TingyunThe moon on the wall is white as snow, and the cicada-locked beauty grieves past bearing.
  76. Water Clock Song · The River Tower at My BackWen TingyunThe silver candle burns out, the Jade Cord stars sink low, and a village cock crows once.
  77. Dreaming of the South · Done Combing and WashingWen TingyunA thousand sails go by, and none is his; the slanting sun lingers tenderly, the water flows on and on.
  78. River Tale · On the RiverbankWen TingyunHome to the south shore, home to the north, who can tell? By evening few are left.
  79. River Tale · Idle Gazing on the LakeWen TingyunBy Ruoye Creek, west of its waters, on the willow dyke, no neigh of her man's horse is heard.
  80. River Tale · Companions CallingWen TingyunHer immortal guest is gone with the swallows; he does not return, and tears soak her clothes.
  81. Waves Washing the Sand · Fine Grass at the RapidsHuangfu Song (traditionally attributed)The islet where egrets sleep is not the old shore; last year's sandspit is now mid-river.
  82. Waves Washing the Sand · Southern Songs of CardamomHuangfu Song (traditionally attributed)Waves rise and the night herons cannot sleep; cold sand, grain by grain, slips into the river.
  83. Teasing Song · Palace Lyric: Round Fan, Round FanWang JianStrings and pipes, strings and pipes: spring grass has cut the road to Zhaoyang Palace.

Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

17 works

907–979

  1. Magpie on the Bough: Who Says Idle Longings Have Long Been Cast AwayFeng YansiDaily before blossoms drinking myself sick, begrudging not rosy cheeks wasting away in the mirror.
  2. Magpie on the Bough: Plum Petals Fall from Crowded Boughs in Ten Thousand FlakesFeng YansiPlum blossoms fall from crowded branches in thousands of flakes; still full of feeling, they mimic snow and whirl in the wind.
  3. Paying Homage at the Golden Gate: Sudden Breeze RisesFeng YansiA sudden breeze rises, wrinkling a whole pond of spring water.
  4. Lady of Longevity: Spring Day BanquetFeng YansiThird, like swallows upon the roof-beams, may we meet year after year.
  5. Extended Silk-Washing Stream: Lotus Fragrance Fades, Emerald Leaves WitherLi JingLotus fragrance fades and emerald leaves wither; autumn winds stir sorrow between emerald ripples.
  6. Extended Silk-Washing Stream: Rolling Pearl Curtains onto Jade HooksLi JingThe cyan bird brings no news beyond the clouds; lilacs knot vainly with sorrow in the rain.
  7. The Beautiful Lady Yu: When Will Spring Blossoms and Autumn Moons EndLi YuPray ask how much sorrow can one mortal bear? Just like a river of spring waters surging endlessly to the east.
  8. Joy of Meeting: In Silence I Ascend the West Tower AloneLi YuCut it, it breaks not; untangle it, it tangles more—such is the sorrow of parting. A taste unlike any other lingering in the heart.
  9. Joy of Meeting: Forest Blossoms Shed Their Spring CrimsonLi YuNaturally human life is filled with eternal regret, as rivers forever surge to the east.
  10. Ripples Sifting Sand: Outside the Blinds Rain MurmursLi YuIn dreams I knew not I was an exile captive, indulging in brief joy.
  11. Dance of the Cavalry: For Forty Years My Country and HomeLi YuMost agonizing was the day of hurried farewell to ancestral temples, when musicians still played parting songs, weeping helplessly before palace maidens.
  12. Gazing South: How Boundless the RegretLi YuHow much regret, in last night's dream!
  13. Peace and Happiness: Half of Spring Has Passed Since PartingLi YuThe sorrow of parting is just like spring grass: the further one journeys, the more it flourishes anew.
  14. Crows Chanting at Night: Last Night Wind Blended with RainLi YuWorldly affairs drift casually along with flowing waters; all calculated, life is but a floating dream.
  15. Ru Meng Ling (Once I Feasted in the Deep Cave of Peach Spring)Li CunxuI always remember the time I parted from you, seeing you out of the gate with tears.
  16. Yi Ye Luo (A Single Leaf Falls)Li CunxuOver the painted tower the moonlight is cold; the west wind stirs the silk hangings.
  17. Yu Lou Chun (Skin of Ice and Bones of Jade)Meng Chang (traditionally attributed)Skin of ice and bones of jade, cool and without sweat; in the water palace the breeze comes, warm with hidden fragrance.