Changgan Song: My Home by the River
My home is beside the waters of Jiujiang;
I travel to and fro along its banks.
We both come from Changgan,
Yet since childhood we have not known one another.
Notes
Changgan is a historical place near present-day Nanjing and an old song title. Lin means beside; Jiujiang is commonly understood as the area of today’s Jiujiang, though historical geography is discussed. Shengxiao means since childhood.
Meaning
The speaker describes a home by the river and observes that, though both are from Changgan, they have not known each other since childhood.
Appreciation
Often read with “Where Is Your Home?”, this poem can sound like an answer in a meeting between people from the same region.
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Repeating Jiujiang establishes a home and a life of travel near the river.
The shared origin contrasts with the fact that the speakers have not previously met.
The poem does not describe what happens afterward; its brief encounter remains open.
About the poet
Cui Hao (c. 704–754) was a Tang poet from the area of present-day Kaifeng, Henan.
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He held office and wrote about frontier life, journeys and everyday encounters.
His works include Yellow Crane Tower and the Changgan songs.