The SWORDSMAN

明朝攜劍隨君去

Tomorrow I will carry my sword and leave with you my lord,

羽扇綸巾赴征塵

With my feather fan and scholar’s hat I will embark on the march.

Tying up my hair, I read both poetry and history,

束髮讀詩書

Building both my ethics and character.

修德兼修身

Viewing above and observing below,

仰觀與俯察

Strategies deep in my heart.

韜略胸中存

Farming but I never stop worrying about the nation;

躬耕從未忘憂國

Who knows that there’s a passionate soul in the woods.

誰知熱血在山林

Phoenix O phoenix, my thoughts are held high.

鳳兮鳳兮思高舉

Times are chaotic and the situation dangerous; 

long and hard I brood.

世亂時危久沉吟

Thrice my thatched cottage was visited;

茅廬承三顧

We discussed deeply and wide with our knees against each other’s

促膝縱橫論

Meeting someone who knows my heart halfway through my life

半生遇知己

A hermit feels really blessed.

蟄人感興深

Tomorrow I will carry my sword and leave with you my lord,

明朝攜劍隨君去

With my feather fan and scholar’s hat I will embark on the march.

羽扇綸巾赴征塵

Dragon O Dragon, the winds and clouds are gathering.

龍兮龍兮風雲會

A long howl to let out my feelings.

長嘯一聲抒懷襟

Go back O go back, it is my will.

歸去歸去來兮，我夙願

In my remaining days I shall be a farmer again.

餘年還做壟畝民

Mild breeze and bright moon come into my arms;

清風明月入懷抱

Apes and cranes listen as I play my harp once again.

猿鶴聽我再撫琴