Tang Poetry and Song Lyrics on the Dragon Boat Festival
Materials: Internet Editor: Red Leaf Drifting
"The Dragon Boat Festival"
(Tang) Li Longji
The Dragon Boat Festival falls in mid-summer, with clear weather and longer days.
Salt and plums have already been added to the cauldron, and wine is passed around.
Ancient customs leave traces, and over time they accumulate.
Looking out from the window, one can see the abundance of hibiscus, and by the water, one can feel the fragrance of reeds.
Millions share in longevity, and officials work together for prosperity.
If loyalty remains unchanged, it will be passed down to future generations.
"Dragon Boat Banquet for Ministers at Three Halls Obtaining the Divine Character"
(Tang) Li Longji
In May, the number of heavenly symbols, five sounds tune the summer scales.
Old traditions say the fifth day is divine without fail.
Pillows with holes communicate spiritual energy, long silk threads continue life.
Flowers of all four seasons compete in skill, nine-ingredient rice dumplings vie for novelty.
Facing the palace during a splendid festival, round halls entertain elegant ministers.
Responses to questions are valued, elegant prose presents six meanings.
Arms and thighs are well worth singing about, phoenix transformations may restore purity.
"Farewell Poem, Sending Xiang Qing with Imperial Clothes for the Dragon Boat Festival to the Capital"
(Tang) Du Fu
Emperor Suzong once commanded brave generals to reclaim Xianjing from Lingwu City.
Xiang Gong wept blood in the imperial hall, assisting ministers to stabilize the world.
Rebel Hu was extinguished like smoke, your family's brothers' fame shook the world.
Paintings of qilin and geese fly in formation, purple palaces enter and exit with gold seals.
The Minister's achievements surpass a thousand years, heroically guarding Jingzhou continues our ancestors' legacy.
Cutting clouds and mist into imperial robes, bowing and sealing them towards the Dragon Boat Festival.
"Dragon Boat Day Imperial Robe Gift"
(Tang) Du Fu
Palace robes also have names, honored on the Dragon Boat Festival.
Fine hemp contains wind softness, fragrant silk stacks snow lightness.
From heaven's inscription place wet, wearing in the heat comes clarity.
Suitable length inside, lifetime bearing holy sentiment.
"The Dragon Boat Festival"
(Tang) Wen Xiu
Who says the Dragon Boat Festival is divided? Ancient legends speak of Qu Yuan;
Laughably, the Chu River flows endlessly, unable to wash away the grievances of loyal ministers.
"The Dragon Boat Festival"
(Tang) Yin Yaofan
Young people are especially affectionate during the holiday; as one grows old, who knows what feelings arise?
Not following the custom of hanging mugwort charms, only praying for peace while drinking calamus wine.
Hair turns white daily, pomegranate flowers brighten the eyes every year;
For a thousand years, the wise and foolish pass quickly; how many are forgotten, how many leave their names?
"May 5th"
(Tang) Mei Raochen
Qu Yuan has drowned, the people of Chu mourn his unjust treatment.
How could slander be endured, merely hoping to repel dragons.
Unextinguished hatred before death, pursuing his trace after death.
Yuan and Xiang green pools reflect a thousand peaks.
"Five Threads"
(Tang) Chu Chaoyang
The Yue people transmit Chu customs, competing to wrap bamboo.
Deep rest under water, celebrating at noon.
Chapters elaborate on the superiority of form over substance, listed beauties surpass ordinary women.
Silk rivals new segments, lamb rests in old poetry.
Only boasting about the Dragon Boat Festival, who offers sacrifices at Qu Yuan's shrine.
Drinking wine while offering sacrifices, the Miluo River lies far away.
"Rowing Competition Poem"
(Tang) Lu Zao
Long staying at Stone Creek thinking of the Dragon Boat Festival, watching the start at the inn front.
Drums sound like distant thunder, animal heads break through snowy waves.
People surge forward against the current, birds retreat flying ahead.
Saying it's a dragon isn't believed, but indeed it wins the trophy.
"Huan Xi Sha (Dragon Boat Festival)"
(Song) Su Shi
Light sweat slightly penetrates jade silk.
Tomorrow on the Dragon Boat Festival bathing in fragrant orchids.
Flowing fragrance and grease fill the sunny river.
Colored threads lightly wrapped around red jade arms,
Small talismans obliquely hung on green cloud hair.
Beautiful people meet for a thousand years.
"Yi Mao Heavy Five Poem"
(Song) Lu You
Heavy five village good, pomegranate flowers suddenly already abundant.
Zongzi wrapped in two buns, mugwort bundle worn on a dangerous crown.
Old customs store medicine, weak body also points dan.
Day tilts my affairs finished, laugh towards cup plate.
"Heavenly Dragon Boat Festival"
(Song) Zhang Lei
Rowing competition deeply mourns a thousand-year-old injustice,
Loyal soul gone cannot return.
Country lost self sacrificed what remains now,
Only leaving "Li Sao" in the world.
"Bodhisattva Mantra"
(Song) Chen Yi
Fragrant millet in packets divided at edges.
Colorful silk cut into intersecting ropes.
Wine cups float calamus leaves.
Year after year early May.
Host's favor heavy.
Facing scenery enjoying happiness.
What day play mountain home.
Hemp leek three or four flowers.
"Fisherman's Pride"
(Song) Ouyang Xiu
May pomegranate flowers dazzlingly bright.
Green willows with rain droop heavily.
Five-colored new silk wraps corner rice dumplings.
Golden plate serves.
Raw silk painted fans depict paired phoenixes.
Bathing in orchids season moves.
Calamus wine delicious shared among clear glasses.
Yellow orioles occasionally chirp among leaves.
Still drowsy.
Casually startling through gauze window dreams.
"Dragon Boat Festival Reflections"
(Song) Wen Tianxiang
One
Rowing westward lingering resentment not yet dissipated, fish and dragons silent amidst hidden tides.
Chu people still indulge in childish games, year after year competing for the championship on the river.
Two
A thousand gold cast mirrors hundreds of gods worried, achievements match those of Yu the Great.
Thorny ruins of ancient palaces spirits flee, only Yangtze River waters flow eastward.
Three
That year's loyal blood fell into slanderous waves, for thousands of years Jing people sacrifice at Miluo River.
Amidst storms and rains faraway fragrant grass dreams, so beautiful is this land, how is the old capital?
"Southern Countryside (Dragon Boat Festival)"
(Song) Li Zhiyi
Light rain dampens twilight.
Alone closing doors on the fine Dragon Boat Festival.
Nest swallows lead chicks all gone, disheartened.
Empty searching beams for lodging traces.
Guest house like a village.
No one brings a single cup of joy.
Only oriole songs know this sorrow, diligent.
Just like hearing it on the pillow back then.
"As Dream Order"
(Song) Fan Chengda
Pair of orioles chirping where, searched through lush green shade everywhere.
Weather moistens silk clothes, illness rises again slight heat.
Stop raining. Stop raining.
Tomorrow pomegranate flowers Dragon Boat Festival.
"Dot Crimson Lip"
(Song) Zhang Xiaoxiang
Daylily and pomegranate flowers, painting hall forever writes wind cool summer.
Musk ball glutinous rice dumplings.
Helps float calamus wine.
Soldier warding off evil spirit amulets, life continuing same thread.
Appropriate happy gathering.
Splendid feast and dance.
Every year repays Dragon Boat Festival.
"Southern Song"
(Song) Guo Yingxiang
Born in the world meeting Dragon Boat Festival, fifty times even.
Each time must be seen as generally different.
Again hear boat racing flutes and drums boiling on riverbank.
Do not use silk wrapped around arm, do not insert mugwort at door.
Timely calamus and glutinous rice casually fill plates.
Only fear years pass swiftly, temple hairs spot.
Background Music: Chanting Spring Traces