Li Bai: Spring Day Drunkenness, Upon Arising and Wondering What Is Today’s Ambition

Spring Day Drunkenness, Upon Arising and Wondering What Is Today’s Ambition

春 日 醉 起 言 志

处 世 若 大 梦
胡 为 劳 其 生？
所 以 终 日 醉
颓 然 卧 前 楹。

觉 来 沔 庭 前
一 鸟 化 间 鸣。
借 问 此 何 时
春 风 语 流 莺。

感 之 欲 叹 息
对 酒 还 自 倾。
浩 歌 得 明 月
曲 尽 已 忘 情。

Chun Ri Zui Qi Yan Zhi

Chu shi ruo da meng
Hu wei lao qi sheng?
Suo yi zhong ri zui
Tui ran wo qian ying.

Jue lai mian ting qian
Yi niao hua jian ming.
Jie wen ci he shi
Chun feng yu liu ying.

Gan zhi yu tan xi
Dui jiu huan zi qing.
Hao ge dai ming yue
Qu jin yi wang qing.

Spring Day Drunkenness, Upon Arising Wondering What is Today’s Ambitions

Living in society is like a big dream
Why work so hard during this life?
Drunk throughout the day
Too comfortable lying down in front of a pillar.

Wake up, find myself before the front courtyard
One bird chirping between the blossoms.
May I ask what season it is
Flowing wind and the oriole songs speak of springtime.

Heave a sigh, feel I want to do something
Facing each other, emptied cups of wine and myself.
Many songs while waiting for the bright moonlight
At the end of singing, sad emotions forgotten.

Notes:

First two lines refer to the philosophy of Zhuangzi.