Listen to this article十六字令·三首
1934-1935年
THREE SHORT POEMS
–to the tune of Shih Liu Tzu Ling
1934-1935
其一
I
山，快马加鞭未下鞍。
惊回首，离天三尺三。
Mountains!
I whip my swift horse, glued to my saddle.
I turn my head startled,
The sky is three foot three above me!*
其二
II
山，倒海翻江卷巨澜。
奔腾急，万马战犹酣。
Mountains!
Like great waves surging in a crashing sea,
Like a thousand stallions
In full gallop in the heat of battle.
其三
III
山，刺破青天锷未残。
天欲坠，赖以拄其间。
Mountains!
Piercing the blue of heaven, your barbs unblunted!
The skies would fall
But for your strength supporting.
*AUTHOR’S NOTE:
A folk song runs:
Skull Mountain up above,
Treasure Mountain down below,
The sky is only three foot three away.
Bend your head if you go by foot,
Dismount if you go by horse.
