兵車行

By 杜甫

Lyrics - Practice Pronunciation
兵車行 杜甫

The military car is on its way, Duane.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

bing1
geoi1
hong6
dou6
pou3
車轔轔 馬蕭蕭 行人弓箭各在腰

The carriages, the horses, the arrows, the men, all on their backs.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

geoi1
maa5
siu1
siu1
hong6
jan4
gung1
zin3
gok3
zoi6
jiu1
爺孃妻子走相送 塵埃不見咸陽橋

My grandfather's wife walked by and there was no dust on the Yangtze Bridge.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

je4
cai3
zi2
zau2
soeng2
sung3
can4
ngoi1
fau2
jin6
haam4
joeng4
kiu4
牽衣頓足攔道哭 哭聲直上幹雲霄

And the cries of the cries of the cries of the clouds.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

hin1
ji3
duk6
zuk1
laan4
dou6
huk1
huk1
sing1
zik6
soeng6
hon4
wan4
siu1
道旁過者問行人 行人但云點行頻

People asked walkers, but how often did clouds walk?

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

dou6
pong4
gwo3
ze2
man6
hong6
jan4
hong6
jan4
daan6
wan4
dim2
hong6
pan4
或從十五北防河 便至四十西營田

and from the fifteenth river northward, and from the forty westward,

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

waak6
zung6
sap6
ng5
bui3
fong4
ho2
pin4
zi3
sei3
sap6
sai1
jing4
tin4
去時里正與裹頭 歸來頭白還戍邊

And it's going back and forth, back and forth.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

heoi3
si4
lei5
zing3
jyu6
gwo2
tau4
kwai3
loi6
tau4
baak6
waan4
syu3
bin1
邊庭流血成海水 武皇開邊意未已

The garden was bleeding into the sea, and the Emperor didn't want to.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

bin1
ting4
lau4
hyut3
seng4
hoi2
seoi2
mou5
wong4
hoi1
bin1
ji3
mei6
ji5
君不聞

You don't ask.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

gwan1
fau2
man6
漢家山東二百州 千村萬落生荊杞

In the Han Han, 200 states, thousands of villages were born.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

hon3
ze1
saan1
dung1
ji6
mak6
zau1
cin1
cyun1
maak6
lok6
sang1
ging1
gei2
縱有健婦把鋤犁 禾生隴畝無東西

Even a woman who is a good cook has nothing to offer.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zung3
jau6
gin6
fu5
baa3
co4
lai4
wo4
sang1
lung5
mou5
mou4
dung1
sai1
況復秦兵耐苦戰 被驅不異犬與雞

The soldiers were driven back from the battlefield by dogs and chickens.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

fong3
fuk6
ceon4
bing1
noi6
fu2
zin3
pei5
keoi1
fau2
ji6
hyun2
jyu6
gai1
長者雖有問 役夫敢申恨

If the elder asks, the officer will dare to complain.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

zoeng6
ze2
seoi1
jau6
man6
jik6
fu4
gam2
san1
han6
且如今年冬 未休關西卒

And this winter, I'm not going to be able to stop.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

ceoi2
jyu4
gam1
nin4
dung1
mei6
nau2
gwaan1
sai1
zeot1
縣官急索租 租税從何出

The county commissioner is in a hurry to get the rent.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

jyun2
gun1
gap1
sok3
zou1
zou1
zung6
ho6
ceot1
信知生男惡 反是生女好

Believing that male birth is bad, female birth is good.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

seon3
zi3
sang1
naam4
ok3
faan3
si6
sang1
neoi6
hou3
生女猶得嫁比鄰 生男埋沒隨百草

And Judah the daughter of Judah took her, and her husbands went with her to the field.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

sang1
neoi6
jau4
dak1
gaa3
bei3
leon4
sang1
naam4
maai4
mei6
ceoi4
mak6
cou2
君不見 青海頭 古來白骨無人收

You can't see it. The old white-bones were never picked up.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

gwan1
fau2
jin6
cing1
hoi2
tau4
gu2
loi6
baak6
gwat1
mou4
jan4
sau1
新鬼煩冤舊鬼哭 天陰雨濕聲啾啾

The new demon cries out, the new demon cries, the new demon cries, the new demon cries.

Click each character to hear its pronunciation:

san1
gwai2
faan4
jyun1
gau6
gwai2
huk1
tin1
jam3
jyu6
sap1
sing1
zaau1
zaau1
About This Song

"" (The Song of the Soldier's Carriage) is a poignant poem by the renowned Tang dynasty poet Du Fu. This work intricately captures the anguish, sorrow, and struggles of the common people during times of war. The poem's emotional core revolves around the heart-wrenching separation of families as soldiers leave for battle, highlighting the profound pain and helplessness felt by those left behind. The imagery of departing soldiers, along with the sounds of weeping and the chaos of war, paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities faced by individuals in turbulent times.

The narrative unfolds through the eyes of common people witnessing the conscription of men into military service, and it eloquently conveys the disillusionment and despair of families who must confront the uncertainties of war. Du Fu masterfully juxtaposes the lofty ambitions of war with the grim aftermath, illustrating how the chaos of conflict disrupts lives and brings misery. The lines evoke feelings of longing and lament, connecting the reader to the universal experience of loss and sacrifice.

Musically, while the poem is often recited rather than sung, the lyrical structure employs classical poetic techniques, including parallelism and vivid imagery, which serve to enhance its emotional depth. Du Fu uses striking contrasts, such as the mention of blood and tears alongside the imagery of nature, which serves to amplify the sorrow felt throughout the piece. His use of rhetorical questions invites readers to reflect on the futility of war and the toll it takes on human life.

Culturally, "" resonates beyond its historical context, offering insight into the perennial themes of conflict, suffering, and the human condition. It has been regarded as a crucial work in Chinese literature that not only captures the essence of the era's conflicts but also reflects on the social injustices faced by common individuals throughout history. The poem remains relevant today, reminding audiences of the significant impact of war on society and the enduring legacy of those who suffer in silence.

Song Details
Singer:
杜甫
Total Lines:
19