Dear reader,
I would like to share a translation I did during a difficult time period of my life. They are lyrics that brought tears to my eyes and many, many thoughts and images into my mind.
Containing a few simple Chinese characters, these lyrics also taught me many important values about life. People come and go. Those who continue to believe in you will always be by your side and love you no matter who you are. Success comes and goes. An individual with moral character will always be successful. A misunderstanding can wind up in separation of loved ones forever. This is when we have to learn how to face reality, learn from past mistakes, forgive, and move on. Fame and popularity are not that important when you really think about it. It's helping others unconditionally, whether small or big, is what counts. Luxurious things are just illusions. Own enough you need. Those who learn to cherish the people around them, understand the happenings around them whether good or bad, and are content with the things they already own will realize that life can be made much easier.
These lyrics are written for a Chinese drama that tells a story of how a Chinese family of humble origins in the city of LingPo, China, set in the early 1900s until the present, owns a well-known Chinese library that had impacted their lives for many generations. Because these books had given them so much knowledge, the family valued them more than fame and luxuries. They taught them the importance of family, friendship, and many values, such as generosity, kindness, and forgiveness. They would do anything to protect these books. During the merciless bombings of World War II on major cities of China, they risked their lives in transporting chests of books by pulling dozens of wooden pull carts on feet to the countryside in an effort to seek refuge and prevent the Japanese arms from confiscating their only assets........
Read the following translated lyrics slowly. See if any pictures come across your mind.
Title: "IF"
Chinese lyrics translated by Carol
Theme song 如果 to the drama 天一生水 Library written by 黃磊 Huang Lei (writer & director)
A river flowed by...
People passed by this river.
Only you remained.
And also I.
There is a story. (What story?)
You and I were in the story.
Together, we’ve been through many ups and downs in life.
Silent clouds.
Silent Clouds.
That once moved and also calmed the corners of our hearts.
Unfortunately, there is too much that occurred.
Only, "if"… ......we can go back,
But everything has become part of memory now.
A river flowed by...
People passed by this river.
But it wasn't you. Nor I. How do I express? How do I accept?
Standing in front of the mirror, how do I express my generosity, my forgiveness?
Silent Clouds.
Silent Couds.
That once moved and also calmed the corners of our hearts.
Unfortunately, there was not enough time for a good ending.
In time..........................,
there is no "if."
Rain poured heavily. Still people passed by the river.
But It wasn't you. Nor I. How do I express? How do I accept?
In the story, you and I missed each other.
Silent Clouds.
Silent Clouds.
That once moved and also calmed the corners of our hearts.
Unfortunately, there was not enough time for a good ending.
In time.....................
"if................."
Thank you, reader.
Original Chinese lyrics:
"如果”
有河流過 有人經過
剩下你 還有我
有個故 事（什麼故事） 有過你我 曾經有很多很多
沉默的雲朵 沉默的雲朵
曾波動也曾風平浪靜心裡的角落
可惜的事 已經有太多 記憶裡只有如果
有河流過 有人經過
不是你 也不是我 該怎麼說 比較能接受
鏡子裡 我的寬容 （故事裡 你我錯過）
沉默的雲朵 沉默的雲朵
曾波動也曾風平浪靜心裡的角落
可惜的是 來不及結果
時 間裡沒有如果
有雨飄落 有人經過
不是你 也不是我 該怎麼說 比較能接受
故事里你我錯過
沉默的雲朵 沉默的雲朵
曾波動也曾風平浪靜心裡的角落
可惜的是 來不及結果
時 間裡沒有如果
可惜的是 來不及結果
時 間裡。。。如果。。
