紙婚

By 李克勤

Lyrics - Practice Pronunciation
何時建起了 幾道圍牆 這一頭家

When did you build this house?

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

ho6
si4
gin3
hei2
liu4
gei2
dou6
wai4
coeng4
ze5
jat1
tau4
ze1
本來非這樣 嘗試穿過 透明屏障

It's not like that, trying to get through a transparent barrier.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

bun2
loi6
fei2
ze5
joeng2
soeng4
si5
cyun1
gwo3
tau3
ming4
ping4
zoeng3
發覺你 人在心不在場

You're not being noticed.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

fat3
gok3
nei5
jan4
zoi6
sam1
fau2
zoi6
coeng4
逐漸喪失 親密磁場

It's a gradual loss of an intimate magnetic field.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zuk6
zim6
song3
sat1
can3
mat6
ci4
coeng4
有盞紅燈 悽然的發亮

There was a bright red light.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

jau6
zaan2
hung4
dang1
jin4
dik1
fat3
loeng6
而你仿似 正懷疑你

And you seem to be suspicious of yourself.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

nang4
nei5
fong2
ci5
zing3
waai4
ji4
nei5
來年同行伴侶 並未達理想

The next year's partner was not ideal.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

loi6
nin4
tung4
hong6
bun6
lui5
bing6
mei6
taat3
lei5
soeng2
想扮成 無事故 歲月如常

I wanted to pretend to be safe, like I was doing all those years ago.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

soeng2
fan5
seng4
mou4
si6
gu3
seoi3
jyut6
jyu4
soeng4
但我知 其實你 不想

But I know you don't want to.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

daan6
ngo5
zi3
kei4
sat6
nei5
fau2
soeng2
再對着我 抱着我 親密如常

And he held me as close as he had always been.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zoi3
deoi3
jyu3
ngo5
pou5
jyu3
ngo5
can3
mat6
jyu4
soeng4
去年還 承諾過 貧窮和病塌

Last year, we promised poverty and disease.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

heoi3
nin4
waan4
sing4
nok6
gwo3
pan4
kung4
wo4
beng6
taap3
都奉陪 陪着我 上路離場

They came with me and walked out.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

dou1
fung6
pui4
pui4
jyu3
ngo5
soeng6
lou6
lei4
coeng4
但那些 其實紙一張

But those are actually a piece of paper.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

daan6
no6
se1
kei4
sat6
zi2
jat1
zoeng3
以愛情來 填滿的 用年華 維繫的

It's filled with love, it's preserved by age.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

jyu5
oi3
cing4
loi6
zan3
mun6
dik1
jung6
nin4
waa6
wai4
hai6
dik1
縱是銀或金或張白紙

Even silver or gold or white paper.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zung3
si6
ngan4
waak6
gam1
waak6
zoeng3
baak6
zi2
依然完全沒保障

It's still completely unsecured.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

ji1
jin4
jyun4
cyun4
mei6
bou2
zoeng3
明明約好了 開辦農場

Clearly, it's a good idea to start a farm.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

ming4
ming4
joek3
hou3
liu4
hoi1
baan6
nung4
coeng4
要當兒孫 將來的偶像

And they're going to make their grandchildren's idols.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

jiu3
dong3
ngai4
syun1
zoeng3
loi6
dik1
ngau5
zoeng6
來到今晚 變成惆悵

It's a nightmare.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

loi6
dou3
gam1
maan5
bin3
seng4
zoeng3
原來從前大計 薄弱像妄想

It was a big, weak, delusional thing.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

jyun5
loi6
zung6
cin4
taai3
gei3
bok6
joek6
zoeng6
mong6
soeng2
想扮成 無事故 歲月如常

I wanted to pretend to be safe, like I was doing all those years ago.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

soeng2
fan5
seng4
mou4
si6
gu3
seoi3
jyut6
jyu4
soeng4
但我知 其實你 不想

But I know you don't want to.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

daan6
ngo5
zi3
kei4
sat6
nei5
fau2
soeng2
再對着我 抱着我 親密如常

And he held me as close as he had always been.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zoi3
deoi3
jyu3
ngo5
pou5
jyu3
ngo5
can3
mat6
jyu4
soeng4
去年還 承諾過 貧窮和病塌

Last year, we promised poverty and disease.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

heoi3
nin4
waan4
sing4
nok6
gwo3
pan4
kung4
wo4
beng6
taap3
都奉陪 陪着我 上路離場

They came with me and walked out.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

dou1
fung6
pui4
pui4
jyu3
ngo5
soeng6
lou6
lei4
coeng4
但那些 其實紙一張

But those are actually a piece of paper.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

daan6
no6
se1
kei4
sat6
zi2
jat1
zoeng3
以愛情來 填滿的 用年華 維繫的

It's filled with love, it's preserved by age.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

jyu5
oi3
cing4
loi6
zan3
mun6
dik1
jung6
nin4
waa6
wai4
hai6
dik1
縱是銀或金或張白紙

Even silver or gold or white paper.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zung3
si6
ngan4
waak6
gam1
waak6
zoeng3
baak6
zi2
依然完全沒保障

It's still completely unsecured.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

ji1
jin4
jyun4
cyun4
mei6
bou2
zoeng3
漏夜在結霜 想扮成

I spent the night in the cage trying to get into shape.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

lau6
je6
zoi6
lit3
soeng1
soeng2
fan5
seng4
無事故 歲月如常

No accidents, as usual.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

mou4
si6
gu3
seoi3
jyut6
jyu4
soeng4
但我知 其實你不想

But I know you don't.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

daan6
ngo5
zi3
kei4
sat6
nei5
fau2
soeng2
再對着我 抱着我 親密如常

And he held me as close as he had always been.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zoi3
deoi3
jyu3
ngo5
pou5
jyu3
ngo5
can3
mat6
jyu4
soeng4
去年還 承諾過 貧窮和病塌

Last year, we promised poverty and disease.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

heoi3
nin4
waan4
sing4
nok6
gwo3
pan4
kung4
wo4
beng6
taap3
都奉陪 陪着我 上路離場

They came with me and walked out.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

dou1
fung6
pui4
pui4
jyu3
ngo5
soeng6
lou6
lei4
coeng4
但那些 其實紙一張

But those are actually a piece of paper.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

daan6
no6
se1
kei4
sat6
zi2
jat1
zoeng3
愛到頭來 能強積 或無人 能累積

Love comes first, it can grow, and no one can.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

oi3
dou3
tau4
loi6
toi4
koeng5
zik1
waak6
mou4
jan4
toi4
leoi6
zik1
那是人類美麗的幻想

That is the human imagination.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

no6
si6
jan4
leoi6
mei5
lai6
dik1
waan6
soeng2
只能求 無力保養

They can only ask for help.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zi2
toi4
kau4
mou4
lik6
bou2
joeng5
About This Song

"" (or "Paper Wedding") by (Li Keqin) explores the poignant themes of love, commitment, and the fragility of relationships. At its emotional core, the song delves into the realization that promises made in love often lack the solidity they require to endure the tests of time. The lyrics express a sense of melancholy as the narrator reflects on the gradual erosion of intimacy in a relationship that was once envisioned to thrive. The metaphor of paper serves as a powerful symbol of how easily plans, commitments, and dreams can be torn apart, underscoring the delicate nature of human connections.

The story of "" unfolds as the narrator reminisces about the aspirations shared between partnersplans to build a life together, face challenges, and grow old side by side. However, a disillusionment sets in as the narrator recognizes that their partner's emotional presence has waned, leading to a distance that was not anticipated. The heartfelt vows of supporting each other in poverty and sickness are highlighted, yet the stark realization emerges that those commitments feel as fragile as papereasily discarded and lacking any real guarantee for the future.

Musically, the song combines emotive melodies with a haunting arrangement that mirrors the lyrical depth. The use of imagery in the lyrics is particularly notable; phrases like "" (transparent barrier) and "" (the red light shines sadly) paint a vivid picture of the emotional barriers that have formed over time. The juxtaposition of hopeful dreams against the stark reality of emotional distance creates a compelling narrative that resonates with listeners. The frequent repetition of the line about familiarity and intimacy reinforces the narrator's desire for a reconnection that seems increasingly out of reach.

Culturally, "" speaks to the universal challenges of maintaining love in the face of life's inevitable changes and hardships. It reflects societal attitudes towards relationships, particularly in the context of Asian cultures, where family expectations and the importance of commitment often weigh heavily. The acceptance of impermanence in relationships, depicted through the metaphor of paper, invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences with love and the complex emotions that accompany the passage of time.

Song Details
Singer:
李克勤
Total Lines:
39