The Red River Runs High: English Translation of \"Man Jiang Hong\"
The famous Chinese poem \"Man Jiang Hong\" (满江红) is a cultural treasure that has been cherished for centuries. Written by the patriot and scholar Wen Tianxiang (文天祥) during the Yuan dynasty (元朝), it describes the sadness and determination of the Chinese people in the face of Mongolian invasions. Here is an English translation of the full text:
The Joy of Life
Riding on the wind and waves,
My wings spread out across the sky.
The fields and mountains, all mine to roam,
Why fret and worry when alive?
My wit and courage know no bound,
My heart as bright as the shining stars.
Talking of heroes long gone and sound,
I sing with joy, free of scars.
I ask the white clouds above,
If there's limit to life indeed?
The clouds disperse, gone with the wind,
And leave no trace of their creed.
The Sadness of Separation
The years gone by in a twinkle,
Our nation suffers from the cruel fate.
The Mongol hordes ravage and crinkle,
Our people slain and left to mourn their mate.
Our land is flooded red with blood,
The war horse neighing on the battlefield.
The heroic souls sink into the mud,
Never to rise and grasp the shield.
We bid farewell to our beloved ones,
Forced to flee and leave them all behind.
The rivers run wild, the moon still shuns,
Our grief rise to the heavens, intertwined.
The Resolve to Fight
Our nation is a great one,
The spirit of our people never dies.
The brave warriors fight with every bone,
From mountains high to valleys low, our cries.
The enemies may be strong and fierce,
But our hearts are as solid as a rock.
Even if we're reduced to tears,
We'll never stoop down or stop the clock.
Let's unite, all sons and daughters,
To carry on the legacy of our sires.
Our swords and banners high in the air,
Our wills burning like everlasting fires.
This is the English translation of \"Man Jiang Hong\", a poem that embodies the resilience and determination of the Chinese people in the face of adversity. Whether you are a Chinese patriot or a foreign reader interested in Chinese culture, the beauty and power of this masterpiece will surely touch your heart.