The Lantern Festival Night - to the tune of Green Jade Table
青玉案 元夕

Poem by Qiji Xin (辛棄疾), poet in Sung Dynasty

Lyrics

(English translation by 李淵衝 李明)

One night's east wind adorns a thousand trees with flowers
And blows down stars in showers.
Fine steeds and carved cabs spread fragrance en route;
Music vibrates from the flute;
The moon sheds its full light
While fish and dragon lanterns dance all night.
In gold-thread dress, with moth or willow ornaments,
Giggling, she melts into the throng with trails of scents
But in the crowd once and again
I look for her in vain.
When all at once I turn my head,
I find her there where lantern light is dimly shed.