童夢

By 周國賢

Lyrics - Practice Pronunciation
夜 夢見黑土 成為白米 種植於心窩

At night, I dream of black soil becoming white rice, planted in my heart.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

je6
mung6
jin6
hak1
tou2
seng4
wai6
baak6
mai5
zung3
zik6
wu1
sam1
wo1
日 夢要甦醒 頑強面對 每日的顛簸

The day is to awaken, to stand firm in the face of the daily burden.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

mik6
mung6
jiu3
sing2
waan4
koeng5
min2
deoi3
mei5
mik6
dik1
din1
bo3
夢想失落太多 忘記了多少次肚餓

Too many dreams to lose, to forget how many times you're hungry.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

mung6
soeng2
sat1
lok6
taai3
do1
mong6
gei3
liu4
do1
siu3
ci3
tou5
ngo6
為你綻放的番梘泡

And the pepper spray is for you.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

wai6
nei5
fong3
dik1
pun1
gaan2
pou5
浮於高高天空到底 未破

It floated high up in the sky, unbroken.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

fau4
wu1
gou1
gou1
tin1
hung3
dou3
dik1
mei6
po3
只聽到你笑聲 聽不到你苦命

I can't hear you laughing, I can't hear you suffering.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zi2
teng1
dou3
nei5
siu3
sing1
teng1
fau2
dou3
nei5
fu2
ming6
沉重的足跡走過險徑 尋覓沉睡晚星

Heavy footprints traveled the paths, looking for sleeping stars.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zam6
zung6
dik1
zuk1
zik1
zau2
gwo3
him2
ging3
cam4
mik6
zam6
seoi6
maan5
sing1
人類的好風景難暢泳

The beautiful scenery is not easy to swim in.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

jan4
leoi6
dik1
hou3
fung3
jing2
no4
coeng3
wing6
就算理想多遠不失雋永

No matter how far away the ideal is, it will never go away.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zau6
syun3
lei5
soeng2
do1
jyun6
fau2
sat1
zeon3
wing5
虔誠奉信這一個未完夢境

And I'm so devoted to this unfinished dream.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

kin4
sing4
fung6
seon3
ze5
jat1
go3
mei6
jyun4
mung6
ging2
明天温飽還得不到保證

There's no guarantee that tomorrow will be hot.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

ming4
tin1
wan1
baau2
waan4
dak1
fau2
dou3
bou2
zing3
夜 夢見花朵 連綿合抱 翠綠的山邊

I dream of flowers at night, even cotton candy, on a green hill.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

je6
mung6
jin6
waa6
doe2
lin4
min4
ho4
pou5
ceoi3
luk6
dik1
saan1
bin1
日 夢要甦醒 頹垣敗瓦 滿目的烽煙

The day is coming to life, the walls are falling, the smoke is burning.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

mik6
mung6
jiu3
sing2
teoi4
wun4
baai6
ngaa6
mun6
muk6
dik1
fung1
jin1
幸福只是半閃 傳説有多少個兑現

Happiness is only half a flash, and there are many different ways to tell.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

hang6
fuk1
zi2
si6
bun3
sim2
zyun6
seoi3
jau6
do1
siu3
go3
jin6
餓到睡了天真不變

I'm so hungry and sleepy, and I'm so naive.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

ngo6
dou3
seoi6
liu4
tin1
zan1
fau2
bin3
晨曦一親漆黑送走夢魘

A parent sends a dream away in the dark at dawn.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

san4
hei1
jat1
can3
cat1
hak1
sung3
zau2
mung6
jip3
只聽到你笑聲 聽不到你苦命

I can't hear you laughing, I can't hear you suffering.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zi2
teng1
dou3
nei5
siu3
sing1
teng1
fau2
dou3
nei5
fu2
ming6
沉重的足跡走過險徑 尋覓沉睡晚星

Heavy footprints traveled the paths, looking for sleeping stars.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zam6
zung6
dik1
zuk1
zik1
zau2
gwo3
him2
ging3
cam4
mik6
zam6
seoi6
maan5
sing1
人類的好風景難暢泳

The beautiful scenery is not easy to swim in.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

jan4
leoi6
dik1
hou3
fung3
jing2
no4
coeng3
wing6
就算理想多遠不失雋永

No matter how far away the ideal is, it will never go away.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zau6
syun3
lei5
soeng2
do1
jyun6
fau2
sat1
zeon3
wing5
虔誠奉信這一個未完夢境

And I'm so devoted to this unfinished dream.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

kin4
sing4
fung6
seon3
ze5
jat1
go3
mei6
jyun4
mung6
ging2
明天温飽還得不到保證

There's no guarantee that tomorrow will be hot.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

ming4
tin1
wan1
baau2
waan4
dak1
fau2
dou3
bou2
zing3
日 夢已甦醒 紅霞食了 脆弱的天星

The sun has awakened, the red roses have devoured the fragile sky.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

mik6
mung6
ji5
sing2
hung4
haa4
zi6
liu4
ceoi3
joek6
dik1
tin1
sing1
其實 夢中仙境 常在你心境

In fact, you're always in the mood for a dream.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

kei4
sat6
mung6
zung1
sin1
ging2
soeng4
zoi6
nei5
sam1
ging2
About This Song

The song "" (Childhood Dream) by (Kenny Kwan) is an evocative exploration of dreams, aspirations, and the harsh realities of life. At its emotional core, the song juxtaposes the innocence of childhood dreams against the backdrop of adult struggles, capturing a sense of yearning and resilience. The lyrics depict a journey through the darkness of unfulfilled desires, transitioning from dreams of a hopeful future to the stark realities represented by metaphorical landscapes such as barren land and a turbulent sky. The singer reflects on the sacrifices made in pursuit of these dreams, highlighting themes of longing and perseverance in the face of adversity.

The narrative unfolds as the protagonist dreams at night and seeks awakening during the day, embodying the tension between aspiration and reality. The mention of "" (black soil) transforming into "" (white rice) captures the transformative journey from potential to fruition, symbolizing the hard work involved in nurturing one's ambitions. However, the lyrics also convey feelings of disillusionment, as the protagonist grapples with the fleeting nature of happiness and the repeated confrontations with disappointment. The repeated acknowledgment of the laughter that masks suffering underscores the dichotomy of inner joy and external struggles faced by many, making the song relatable to listeners from diverse backgrounds.

Musically, "" incorporates various elements that enhance its emotional resonance. The use of vivid imagery in the lyrics, such as "" (flowers) and "" (emerald hills), creates a rich auditory landscape that listeners can visualize. Additionally, the combination of melancholic melodies with a gradually uplifting progression in the instrumentation mirrors the song's themes of hope and despair. Lyrically, the song utilizes metaphors related to nature and dreams, which effectively communicate the depth of human emotion and aspiration. The contrasting imagery of vibrant blooms against a backdrop of desolation serves to amplify the emotional weight of each lyric.

Culturally, "" holds significance as it touches on universal themes of dreams and challenges that resonate deeply within Asian cultures, where family expectations and societal pressures often weigh heavily on individual aspirations. This song may reflect a collective sentiment of struggle and hope, serving as a musical representation of the delicate balance between dreams and reality, a narrative familiar to many in the modern world. Overall, s "" invites listeners to contemplate their dreams while navigating the complexities of life, fostering a deeper connection to their own aspirations and the shared human experience.

Song Details
Singer:
周國賢
Total Lines:
24