English中文
South of the River
江南可采莲
In Jiangnan, we can gather lotus seeds.
莲叶何田田
How lush and full the lotus leaves are!
鱼戏莲叶间
Fish play among the lotus leaves,
鱼戏莲叶东
Fish play to the east of the leaves,
鱼戏莲叶西
Fish play to the west of the leaves,
鱼戏莲叶南
Fish play to the south of the leaves,
鱼戏莲叶北
Fish play to the north of the leaves.
Meaning
Lotus leaves grow lush in Jiangnan. Fish play among them, moving east, west, south and north. Repeated lines give the folk song its rhythm.
About the poet
A Han folk song of unknown authorship. Its repeated phrases invite shared reading.