TUNE: A FISHERMAN'S SONG

Zhang Zhihe

(Tang Dynasty)

In front of western hills white egrets fly up and down,

In peach-mirrored stream mandarin fish are full grown.

In my blue bamboo hat

And green straw cloak, I'd fain

Go fishing careless of slanting wind and fine rain.

渔歌子

[唐]张志和

西塞山前白鹭飞,桃花流水鳜鱼肥。

青箬笠,绿蓑衣,斜风细雨不须归。

About the poet 

Zhang Zhihe was a Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet who was famous for being able to read and write at age 3. He may have started to write poems when he was at the age 6.

About the translator 

Xu Yuanchong (1921-2021) was born in Nanchang in East China's Jiangxi Province. He was a professor of literary translation at Peking University.

About the book 

300 Tang Poems Translated by Xu Yuanchong Published by China Intercontinental Press