Drama · LT301

Sanqu Songs

Stand-alone songs to a single tune: Yuan pieces on the seasons, parting and the past.

17works

1dynasties

8authors

Yuan

17 works

1260–1368

  1. Autumn ThoughtsMa ZhiyuanWithered vines, old trees, evening crows; a small bridge, flowing water, a cottage home; an ancient road, west wind, a lean horse.
  2. Sails Returning to Distant ShoresMa ZhiyuanFallen petals perfume the waters by thatched cottages at twilight; at the broken bridgehead, market fishermen part for home.
  3. Falling Plum Wind: Rose DewMa ZhiyuanDew on the roses, rain on the lotus leaves, frost on the chrysanthemums: a chill fragrance fills the courtyard.
  4. Drunk in East Wind: Worlds Apart in a Single StepGuan HanqingSo near, yet as far apart as the south of heaven and the north of earth; in an instant the moon wanes and the flowers fly.
  5. Four Pieces of Jade: Parting LongingGuan HanqingSince our parting, my heart aches to let go; when will this ember of longing ever cease?
  6. Song of Great Virtue: AutumnGuan HanqingThe wind gusts, the rain patters; even Chen Tuan could not sleep through this.
  7. AutumnBai PuEmerald peaks embrace green streams, white grasses, scarlet leaves, and golden blossoms.
  8. SpringBai PuWarbling orioles sing and swallows dance, across the small bridge over flowing stream flutter crimson petals.
  9. FishermanBai PuYellow-reed banks and white-duckweed ferry landings; green-willow dikes and red-smartweed shoals.
  10. Meditations at Tongguan PassZhang YanghaoIn imperial rise, the common people suffer; in imperial fall, the common people suffer.
  11. Meditations at Mount LiZhang YanghaoThose who won—all turned to dust; those who lost—all turned to dust!
  12. Double Ninth FestivalZhang KejiuFacing the green hills, I force myself to straighten my black gauze cap. Returning geese cross the autumn sky; the weary traveller longs for home.
  13. Meditations on HistoryZhang KejiuHeartbroken by Qin and Han, when innocent lives were trampled as ashes—the scholar gives a long, deep sigh!
  14. Spring ThoughtsZhang KejiuYellow orioles cry wildly in the willows outside the gate, after the fine rain of Qingming.
  15. Palace Joy: King Huai of ChuGuan YunshiKing Huai of Chu: his loyal minister leapt into the Miluo River.
  16. Song of You and MeGuan DaoshengIn my clay there is you, in your clay there is me: in life we shall share the same quilt; in death we shall rest in the same coffin.
  17. Withered Lotus LeavesLiu BingzhongAll because of last night's frost, they lie forlorn on the autumn river.