姜夔自度“中呂宮”曲。其小序云：“予頗喜自製曲，初率意為長短句，然後協以律，故前後闋多不同。桓大司馬（溫）云‘昔年種柳，依依漢南。今看搖落，悽愴江潭。樹猶如此，人何以堪！’此語予深愛之。” Preface: translated by Mr. Laurence Picken "I much enjoy making songs myself. First, following the ideas, I make the long and short phrases. Afterwards I unite them with the pitches. In consequence, first and last sections (stanzas) are very different. Prefect Huan (312-373) said: "The willows planted in former years at Han-nan were fresh and green. Now I see they are tossed and scattered, sorrowing, in river and lake. If even trees are like this, how shall man bear such a burden?" I very much like these words."
Lyrics: translated by Mr. Laurence Picken Little by little the fragrant fleece of the branches is blown away. In every place, green shades the doors of people's houses. Going round and round the distant creeks, At sunset the sails scatter towards what places? I have had much experience of the world. What others could compare with the trees at the Tall ? If trees were sentient, They could not flourish like this. The sun sets. Looking towards the high city wall, I cannot see it. I see only scattered mountains without number. Mr. Wei has departed. How can I forget Jade-ring's commands? The first is: to return very soon, Least Red-calyx have no one to be her master. Truly, even with sharp shears It is difficult to cut the thousand threads of sadness at separation.
In the spring of year Jiǎ yín (1194)
I accompanied with Shāngqīng Yú (a friend of Jiang Kui who used lived at the town where West Lake is located) to travel to West Lake
to look at plum blossoms at the west village of Gu mountain
Jade-like snow was reflecting
Wind blew out the thin fragrance
Now Shāngqīng has returned to Wuxin,
I came here alone
Mountain covered with spring fog Fresh willow dipped into water
Tourists blend in with flying flowers
I feel disappointed with the sense of loss.
Therefore composing this to convey my missing of friend
Shāngqīng is good at singing with refined ornamentation
I like to compose songs and to play with bamboo flute
Shāngqīng then sings along, that was full of the atmosphere of misty forest
However, Shāngqīng left for taking an official job
No more fun like this anymore.
Laurence Picken's translation:
"In the spring of 1194, I travelled with Yu Shang-ch'ing in leisurely fashion to the West Lake. We gazed on the plum-blossom in the western hamlet on Ku-shan: jade-plum and snow illuminating each other, the wafted fragrance all-pervasive. Shang-ch'ing returned to Wu-hsing. I followed after alone. Across the mountains hung spring mist. Fresh willows swept the water. The carefree traveler flew through the flowers.
In a mood of depression I composed this and sent it. Shang-ch'ing was a good singer. His singing was not professional. It is my practice to play all the songs I compose myself on the tung-hsiao (bamboo notched vertical flute). Shang-ch'ing, singing on the spur of the moment, joined in. It really had the feeling of mountain and forest swathed in mist. Now I know the grief of separation; Shang-ch'ing has gone to be an official. I fear this pleasure will not come again."
Because of the spring I am worn thin.
How can I bear again to go round the West Lake where everywhere are weeping willows?
From gazing at the peak beyond the mist.
You went back not long ago.
A thousand acres of fragrant red have fallen early.
A leaf-life boat crosses wavy mistiness,
Traversing the Thirty-six Imperial Lodges, causing the traveller to turn his head.
Still there are on pleasure-boats those who screen themselves behind sleeves,
Green towers where, with fans athwart, each shines on the other, striving in loveliness.
Bright kingfisher-tail diadems gleam.
With care they apply the Palace Yellow paint. But at the present season,
Wounding spring is like the past.
My unsettled spring-heart is like wine.
Writing for the silk of Wu, I play to myself,
Asking: Who can explain the intention of this song? The friend with me in the presence of the flowers?
或許這樣的漂泊也助長了姜夔思想的自由，他在《長亭怨慢》的小序中寫道：“予頗喜自製曲，初率意為長短句，然後協以律，故前後闋多不同。”不願意被既定格式束縛，喜歡“率意為長短句”，應該也是他如此熱愛自度曲的原因之一。姜夔如果沒有了“天涯羈旅”，其實也不能算是姜夔了，因為他沒有了難寫的幽懷，沒有了滿腔的詩思，或許只能是一個小小官吏直至去世。
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My inspiration was from this youtube video:
