凉州词 (Ballad of Liangzhou) by 刘宇宁 Liu Yuning

Описание: Liu Yuning sang this song in 2020, during Everlasting Classics.

Liangzhou is a northwestern frontier region in Tang dynasty, associated with military outposts, border life and distance.

This song mentions historical context of Tang Dynasty's military history:
Liangzhou is where the war is fought and troops are stationed
Shence General is the imperial military authority dispatched to that frontier
Xiliang is the regional frontier soldier and cavalry culture that the general commands

Translated and interpreted by me, with initial support from machine translation tools and supporting research

Explanations:

"The Shence General—soon to march westward on campaign"
Shence General: "elite imperial army in Tang Dynasty"
Westward campaign: "wars against western regions—Tibetan empires, Turkic khanates or others along the Silk Road"

"[This] merit won't let the blood-shed [of our] forebears be in vain"
To redeem past loss / sacrifices with present victory

"The amulet treasured for years already hangs upon me—this Yan-Huang totem clings close to my heart"
Amulet: "protective charm, often spiritual or ancestral—safety, blessing"
Yan-Huang totem: "legendary ancestral figures: Yan Emperor & Yellow Emperor—ancestral lineage, cultural identity"

"Fine grape wine in cups of luminous jade—raising to drink, the pípá urges [from] horseback"
Grape wine: "exotic imports from western regions"
Pípá: "military signal played while mounted—signal movement, departure"
Frontier indulgence interrupted by martial urgency

"Drunk, lying on the battlefield—laugh not [at our plight]"
Defiance and camaraderie before the chaos of battle, as a response to mortality

"On the battlefield, the general's bow [is drawn] like a full moon"
Bow fully drawn resembling full moon

"only then shall [I] hold a victory feast for [my] fellow villagers"
Fellow villagers: "community, kinship, those awaiting the soldiers' return"

"riding towards the wolf-smoke slowly rising on all sides"
Wolf-smoke: "smoke from burning wolf dung or other fuels—beacon fires lit on watchtowers to signal invasion or danger"

"[For] Xiliang's iron-blooded cavalryman, since ancient times, one worth a thousand"
Xiliang: "ancient northwest frontier, famed for fierce cavalry"
Iron-blooded: "ruthlessness, resilience, martial spirit"

"Brave men of Huaxia—regardless of the foe, will surely worthy of the common people and of Heaven"
Huaxia: "ancient term for Chinese civilization"
Men who uphold the values of civilization, their actions must be found honorable in the judgment of the people and Heaven


Lyrics by 王翰 (Wang Han), 仪品 (Yi Pin), 许环良 (Xu Huanliang)
Composition by 王子牛 (Wang Ziniu), 凡旭 (Fan Xu)
Arrangement by 刘卓 (Liu Zhuo)

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An unofficial translation for reference and appreciation purposes only. Please note that this translation reflects my personal interpretation, and other interpretations may differ