Traditional Chinese / Minority music & folk songs [amended]
I had a request for Chinese tribal/traditional/folk music. I've set out a few songs below, some Tibetan, some simply folk songs from China as well as a few torch songs from Shanghai from the thirties. In among them are Teresa Teng songs as well as a Li Na song which was a patriotic song in the war of resistance against the Japanese in World War II. I've posted a couple of the Tibetan songs before.
This sort of music isn't for everyone. I personally love it but the 'sound' is completely different from Western music so if you don't like that sort of thing - please do not download it. You will hate it :D I'm just warning you in advance. This is only for people who like traditional music and can tolerate 'alien' sounds eg. like the ulalating throat sounds you hear in Tibetan music .... ;)
Song links are in the song titles.
An earlier post with foreign language tracks (including Vietnamese, Arabic and Mongolian) is here. I also updated my Vietnamese anti-war song post. Yeah I'm taking advantage of my high speed net access while I can :P
浪拉山情 (Lang La Mountain Love) by Han Hong. At megaload it is here.
看白云才看清了我自己
Only in seeing the white clouds do I then become aware of myself
看山川 才看见了美丽
Seeing the mountains and rivers so I see beauty
经转摇出了你的神秘
In turning and shaking your mystery
雄鹰唱着说：你想念我
The powerful eagle singingly says: "You miss me..."
此处嵌入藏文）(This bit in Tibetan)
听山歌 才听醉了我自己
Only when I listen to the mountain songs do I listen and become intoxicated with myself
看山泉 清澈无边
Seeing the mountain springs, absolutely clean and clear
酥油灯点燃了你的神秘
The butter candles illuminate your mysteriousness ...
经幡告诉我：你爱着我
The flags tell me: You love me ...
此处嵌入藏文）(This bit in Tibetan)
Li Na 李娜 - 嫂子頌 (Sister In Law) by Li Na
嫂子嫂子借你一双小手捧一把黑土先把鬼子埋掉
Sister, lend me your hands, held steady, to first bury the Japanese enemy
嫂子嫂子借你一对大脚踩一溜山道再把我们送好
Sister, lend me a pair of large feet to step across the flowing mountain path and see me on my way again
嫂子嫂子借你一副身板挡一挡太阳我们好打胜仗
Sister, lend me your very body, to shield me from the sun to that we may have a glorious victory
噢憨憨的嫂子亲亲的嫂子我们用鲜血供奉你
Oh, sturdy sturdy sister..... dear dear sister, we will honour you with our fresh blood
噢黑黑的嫂子噢黑黑的嫂子黑黑的你
Oh dark dark sister, oh dark dark sister ... the darkness of you
The reason I highlight the above word 鬼子 guǐzi is because it is a derogatory term for a foreigner in Chinese. It means foreign devil. More specifically, it is referring to 东洋鬼[東 dōngyángguǐ - a Japanese devil. As the term is offensive, these days when Li Na sings the song, and the lyrics you can find on the Internet replace it with the more politically correct word with 敌人 dírén - enemy. In this version, Li Na sings it with the original World War II lyrics......
Li Na 李娜 - 青藏高原 Qing Zang Plateau
Qing Zang Plateau is the largest plateau in the world with an average elevation of more than 4,000 m-is located in southWest China. Li Na (originally from Tibet) is singing a song dedicated to this plateau. Again this is very traditional and not for everyone ... I LOVE it but many people upon hearing this song say: "Good god what is this??"
呀啦索哎
Oh....Lhasa ..
是谁带来远古的呼唤
Who is it who brings the shout from remote antiquity?
是谁留下千年的祈盼
Who is it who leaves behind a thousand years of prayers and hopes?
难道说还有无言的歌
Can it be that it is said there there is still a song without words?
还是那久久不能忘怀的眷恋
Or that unforgetable sentimental attachment from long, long ago ...
哦我看见一座座山一座座山川
Oh, I see before me a mountain ... I see before me a mountain river ....
一座座山川相连
Mountains and streams interlinked
呀啦索
Lhasa
那可是青藏高原?
There ... is it the Qing Zang Plateau?
是谁日夜遥望着蓝天
Who is it who looks into the blue sky both day and night?
是谁渴望永久的梦幻
Who is it who craves the eternal illusion/dream?
难道说还有赞美的歌
Can it be that there is still a song that does not contain praise and eulogies?
还是那仿佛不能改变的庄严
Or is it that that that seems like a solemnity that cannot be altered?
哦我看见一座座山一座座山川
Oh, I see before me a mountain ... I see before me a mountain river ....
一座座山川相连
Mountains and streams interlinked
呀啦索
Lhasa
那就是青藏高原
It is simply Qing Zang Plateau....
Yungchen Lhamo - Happiness Is (Tibetan singer)
Traditional 康定情歌 - 西域情歌 Kanding Love Song
One of the most famous traditional songs in China, the Kangding Love song is known by all Chinese and Honkies :) I went to Kangding in Sichuan province just to see this song! Kanding is famous for "Pao Ma Shan" (Horse Race Hill) (I climbed it). Kanding is the gateway to Tibet and considered Tibet's 'wild west'. It's a very remote, beautiful and harsh area. Warning - once you hear this song, you won't be able to get it out of your head. Seriously :)
跑马溜淄的山上
A running horse, slipping and sliding on the mountain
一朵溜溜的云哟
A single cloud
端端溜淄的照在
shines directly
康定溜溜的城哟
upon the Kangding city wall.
月亮弯弯
The crescent moon
康定溜溜的城哟
shines directly upon the Kangding city wall.
李家溜溜的大姐
The Li family's eldest daughter
人才溜溜的好哟
has much ability/talent
张家溜溜的大哥
The Zhang family's eldest son
看上留溜的她哟
took a fancy to her.
月亮湾弯
The crescent moon
看上淄溜的她哟
When he saw her, he took a fancy to her
一来溜溜的看上
The first thing he noticed
人才淄溜的好哟
was that her talents were fine
二来溜溜的看上
The second thing he noticed
会当溜淄的家哟
was that she could run a household.
月亮湾弯
The crescent moon
会当溜淄的家哟
was that she could run a household.
世间溜溜的女子
The girls of the world
任你溜溜的求哟
are there for you to pursue
世间溜溜的男子
The boys of the world
任你溜溜的爱哟
are there for you to love.
月亮湾弯
The crescent moon
任你溜淄的爱哟
they're there for you to love
月亮湾弯
The crescent moon
任你溜淄的爱哟
they're there for you to love
Faye Wong 王菲 - 但願人長久 Faye Wong - Wishing we could last Forever
The lyrics of this song are from an ancient poem by a famous Chinese poet. The poet is sorrowful and drinking wine because he is separated from his lover. As he studies the moon, he asks when it will be clear and round- symbolising happiness and the time lovers will be reunited. He then consoles himself with the thought that his lover is looking upon the same moon. Faye Wong sang this song to honour her idol Teresa Teng who made it a hit.
The song is too hard to translate so I just set out the last 2 verses of the original poem:
People have sadness/cheerful parting/meeting
The moon has dark cloudless circle lacking
This matter strange difficult wholly
Only wish person long time
A thousand miles share beautiful abandonment
Life is about parting and coming together
The moon has times when it is not round
Nothing is perfect [It is an entirely difficult thing]
Only wishing for eternity
No matter how far apart, it is happiness to see the same moon
明月几时有
把酒问青天
不知天上宫
今夕是何年
我欲乘风归去
唯恐琼楼玉宇
高处不胜寒
起舞弄清影
何似在人间
转朱阁低绮户照无眠
不应有恨何事长向别时圆
人有悲欢离合月有阴晴圆缺
此事古难全
但愿人长久千里共婵娟
我欲乘风归去唯恐琼楼玉宇
高处不胜寒起舞弄清影何似在人间
转朱阁低绮户照无眠
不应有恨何事长向别时圆
人有悲欢离合月有阴晴圆缺
此事古难全
但愿人长久千里共婵娟
Chinese Middle Kingdom - Feng Yang Drums (instrumental) This is performed by a modern ambient band but very pretty.
Sally Yeh 葉倩文 - 蘭花草 Sally Yeh - Orchid Grass. In this version, the introduction contains a Taiwanese tribal song.
Chen Yan 沈雁 - 蘭花草. A slightly more 'old' version of the same song Orchid Grass.
我从山中来,带着兰花草.
I came from the mountains, I brought with me orchid grass
种在小园中,希望花开早.
I planted it in a small garden and hoped that the blooms would open
一日看三回,看得花时过.
I watched over it three times a day, I watched the passing of the flower's time
兰花却依然,苞也无一个.
But the orchid plant was as before, not even a single bud
转眼秋天到,移兰入暖房.
In the blink of an eye, autumn had arrived. I moved the orchid into the greenhouse.
朝朝频顾惜,夜夜不相忘.
Day by day I gave it loving care, at night I did not forget it
期待春花开,能将夙愿偿.
I anticipated the opening of the flowers, the long awaited payment for my efforts
满庭花簇簇,添得许多香.
The room was filled with flowers, adding many many fragrances and scents
民歌 - 茉莉花 Folk Song - Jasmine (sung in a rather traditional high pitched Chinese female voice). I like it but again it's not everyone's cup of tea. She is singing a song to a jasmine flower. :)
Songs by Teresa Teng
Teresa Teng made a lot of old folk songs and war songs famous.
何日君再来 When will you return to me
I won't translate this song - it's basically a young woman (possibly a floozy) entreating her lover to stay. She tries to tempt him with wine, with food ... hence her very sweet and seductive voice :)
好花不常开
好景不常在
愁堆解笑眉
泪洒相思带
今宵离别后
何日君再来
喝完了这杯
请进点小菜
人生能得几回醉
不欢更何待
[白]来,
喝完这杯再说吧!
今宵离别后
何日君再来
停唱阳关叠
重擎白玉杯
殷勤频致语
牢牢抚君怀
今宵离别后
何日君再来
喝完了这杯
请进点小菜
人生能得几回醉
不欢更何待
[白]哎!
再喝一杯,干了吧!
今宵离别后
何日君再来
我只在乎你. A Teresa Teng love song called "I only care about you". The song basically says - where would I be if I hadn't met you? I'd be nothing, life would be meaningless, I only care about you :)
如果没有遇见你我将会是在那里
日子过的怎么样人生是否要珍惜
也许认识某一人过着平凡的日子
不知道会不会也有爱情甜如蜜
---
任时光匆匆流去我只在乎你
心甘情愿感染你的气息
人生几何能够得到知己
失去生命的力量也不可惜
所以我求求你别让我离开你
除了你我不能感到一丝丝情意
不要什么诺言只要天天在一起
我不能只依靠片片回忆活下去
夜来香 A torchy song called Fragrant Evening or 'Tuberose'. It's a song that was popular in thirties Shanghai (I think).
那南风吹来清凉
那夜莺啼声细唱
月下的花儿都入梦
只有那夜来香
吐露着芬芳
我爱这夜色茫茫
也爱这夜莺歌唱
更爱那花一般的梦
拥抱着夜来香
闻这夜来香
夜来香我为你歌唱
夜来香我为你思量
啊~啊我为你歌唱
我为你思量
la~la~la
夜来香
夜来香
夜来香
小城故事. "Small Town Story". Just a story about idyllic, bucolic living in a small town
小城故事多
There are many small town stories
充满喜和乐
Full of happiness and pleasure
若是你到小城来
If you come to a small town
收获特别多
You will gain much
看似一幅画
See a painting
听像一首歌
Listen to a song
人生境界真善美这里已包括
It already encompasses the beauty of a human life
谈的谈说的说
Have a chat, have a conversation
小城故事真不错
Small town stories really aren't bad
请你的朋友一起来
As your friends to come with you
小城来做客
The small town will act as your host
This sort of music isn't for everyone. I personally love it but the 'sound' is completely different from Western music so if you don't like that sort of thing - please do not download it. You will hate it :D I'm just warning you in advance. This is only for people who like traditional music and can tolerate 'alien' sounds eg. like the ulalating throat sounds you hear in Tibetan music .... ;)
Song links are in the song titles.
An earlier post with foreign language tracks (including Vietnamese, Arabic and Mongolian) is here. I also updated my Vietnamese anti-war song post. Yeah I'm taking advantage of my high speed net access while I can :P
浪拉山情 (Lang La Mountain Love) by Han Hong. At megaload it is here.
看白云才看清了我自己
Only in seeing the white clouds do I then become aware of myself
看山川 才看见了美丽
Seeing the mountains and rivers so I see beauty
经转摇出了你的神秘
In turning and shaking your mystery
雄鹰唱着说：你想念我
The powerful eagle singingly says: "You miss me..."
此处嵌入藏文）(This bit in Tibetan)
听山歌 才听醉了我自己
Only when I listen to the mountain songs do I listen and become intoxicated with myself
看山泉 清澈无边
Seeing the mountain springs, absolutely clean and clear
酥油灯点燃了你的神秘
The butter candles illuminate your mysteriousness ...
经幡告诉我：你爱着我
The flags tell me: You love me ...
此处嵌入藏文）(This bit in Tibetan)
Li Na 李娜 - 嫂子頌 (Sister In Law) by Li Na
嫂子嫂子借你一双小手捧一把黑土先把鬼子埋掉
Sister, lend me your hands, held steady, to first bury the Japanese enemy
嫂子嫂子借你一对大脚踩一溜山道再把我们送好
Sister, lend me a pair of large feet to step across the flowing mountain path and see me on my way again
嫂子嫂子借你一副身板挡一挡太阳我们好打胜仗
Sister, lend me your very body, to shield me from the sun to that we may have a glorious victory
噢憨憨的嫂子亲亲的嫂子我们用鲜血供奉你
Oh, sturdy sturdy sister..... dear dear sister, we will honour you with our fresh blood
噢黑黑的嫂子噢黑黑的嫂子黑黑的你
Oh dark dark sister, oh dark dark sister ... the darkness of you
The reason I highlight the above word 鬼子 guǐzi is because it is a derogatory term for a foreigner in Chinese. It means foreign devil. More specifically, it is referring to 东洋鬼[東 dōngyángguǐ - a Japanese devil. As the term is offensive, these days when Li Na sings the song, and the lyrics you can find on the Internet replace it with the more politically correct word with 敌人 dírén - enemy. In this version, Li Na sings it with the original World War II lyrics......
Li Na 李娜 - 青藏高原 Qing Zang Plateau
Qing Zang Plateau is the largest plateau in the world with an average elevation of more than 4,000 m-is located in southWest China. Li Na (originally from Tibet) is singing a song dedicated to this plateau. Again this is very traditional and not for everyone ... I LOVE it but many people upon hearing this song say: "Good god what is this??"
呀啦索哎
Oh....Lhasa ..
是谁带来远古的呼唤
Who is it who brings the shout from remote antiquity?
是谁留下千年的祈盼
Who is it who leaves behind a thousand years of prayers and hopes?
难道说还有无言的歌
Can it be that it is said there there is still a song without words?
还是那久久不能忘怀的眷恋
Or that unforgetable sentimental attachment from long, long ago ...
哦我看见一座座山一座座山川
Oh, I see before me a mountain ... I see before me a mountain river ....
一座座山川相连
Mountains and streams interlinked
呀啦索
Lhasa
那可是青藏高原?
There ... is it the Qing Zang Plateau?
是谁日夜遥望着蓝天
Who is it who looks into the blue sky both day and night?
是谁渴望永久的梦幻
Who is it who craves the eternal illusion/dream?
难道说还有赞美的歌
Can it be that there is still a song that does not contain praise and eulogies?
还是那仿佛不能改变的庄严
Or is it that that that seems like a solemnity that cannot be altered?
哦我看见一座座山一座座山川
Oh, I see before me a mountain ... I see before me a mountain river ....
一座座山川相连
Mountains and streams interlinked
呀啦索
Lhasa
那就是青藏高原
It is simply Qing Zang Plateau....
Yungchen Lhamo - Happiness Is (Tibetan singer)
Traditional 康定情歌 - 西域情歌 Kanding Love Song
One of the most famous traditional songs in China, the Kangding Love song is known by all Chinese and Honkies :) I went to Kangding in Sichuan province just to see this song! Kanding is famous for "Pao Ma Shan" (Horse Race Hill) (I climbed it). Kanding is the gateway to Tibet and considered Tibet's 'wild west'. It's a very remote, beautiful and harsh area. Warning - once you hear this song, you won't be able to get it out of your head. Seriously :)
跑马溜淄的山上
A running horse, slipping and sliding on the mountain
一朵溜溜的云哟
A single cloud
端端溜淄的照在
shines directly
康定溜溜的城哟
upon the Kangding city wall.
月亮弯弯
The crescent moon
康定溜溜的城哟
shines directly upon the Kangding city wall.
李家溜溜的大姐
The Li family's eldest daughter
人才溜溜的好哟
has much ability/talent
张家溜溜的大哥
The Zhang family's eldest son
看上留溜的她哟
took a fancy to her.
月亮湾弯
The crescent moon
看上淄溜的她哟
When he saw her, he took a fancy to her
一来溜溜的看上
The first thing he noticed
人才淄溜的好哟
was that her talents were fine
二来溜溜的看上
The second thing he noticed
会当溜淄的家哟
was that she could run a household.
月亮湾弯
The crescent moon
会当溜淄的家哟
was that she could run a household.
世间溜溜的女子
The girls of the world
任你溜溜的求哟
are there for you to pursue
世间溜溜的男子
The boys of the world
任你溜溜的爱哟
are there for you to love.
月亮湾弯
The crescent moon
任你溜淄的爱哟
they're there for you to love
月亮湾弯
The crescent moon
任你溜淄的爱哟
they're there for you to love
Faye Wong 王菲 - 但願人長久 Faye Wong - Wishing we could last Forever
The lyrics of this song are from an ancient poem by a famous Chinese poet. The poet is sorrowful and drinking wine because he is separated from his lover. As he studies the moon, he asks when it will be clear and round- symbolising happiness and the time lovers will be reunited. He then consoles himself with the thought that his lover is looking upon the same moon. Faye Wong sang this song to honour her idol Teresa Teng who made it a hit.
The song is too hard to translate so I just set out the last 2 verses of the original poem:
People have sadness/cheerful parting/meeting
The moon has dark cloudless circle lacking
This matter strange difficult wholly
Only wish person long time
A thousand miles share beautiful abandonment
Life is about parting and coming together
The moon has times when it is not round
Nothing is perfect [It is an entirely difficult thing]
Only wishing for eternity
No matter how far apart, it is happiness to see the same moon
明月几时有
把酒问青天
不知天上宫
今夕是何年
我欲乘风归去
唯恐琼楼玉宇
高处不胜寒
起舞弄清影
何似在人间
转朱阁低绮户照无眠
不应有恨何事长向别时圆
人有悲欢离合月有阴晴圆缺
此事古难全
但愿人长久千里共婵娟
我欲乘风归去唯恐琼楼玉宇
高处不胜寒起舞弄清影何似在人间
转朱阁低绮户照无眠
不应有恨何事长向别时圆
人有悲欢离合月有阴晴圆缺
此事古难全
但愿人长久千里共婵娟
Chinese Middle Kingdom - Feng Yang Drums (instrumental) This is performed by a modern ambient band but very pretty.
Sally Yeh 葉倩文 - 蘭花草 Sally Yeh - Orchid Grass. In this version, the introduction contains a Taiwanese tribal song.
Chen Yan 沈雁 - 蘭花草. A slightly more 'old' version of the same song Orchid Grass.
我从山中来,带着兰花草.
I came from the mountains, I brought with me orchid grass
种在小园中,希望花开早.
I planted it in a small garden and hoped that the blooms would open
一日看三回,看得花时过.
I watched over it three times a day, I watched the passing of the flower's time
兰花却依然,苞也无一个.
But the orchid plant was as before, not even a single bud
转眼秋天到,移兰入暖房.
In the blink of an eye, autumn had arrived. I moved the orchid into the greenhouse.
朝朝频顾惜,夜夜不相忘.
Day by day I gave it loving care, at night I did not forget it
期待春花开,能将夙愿偿.
I anticipated the opening of the flowers, the long awaited payment for my efforts
满庭花簇簇,添得许多香.
The room was filled with flowers, adding many many fragrances and scents
民歌 - 茉莉花 Folk Song - Jasmine (sung in a rather traditional high pitched Chinese female voice). I like it but again it's not everyone's cup of tea. She is singing a song to a jasmine flower. :)
Songs by Teresa Teng
Teresa Teng made a lot of old folk songs and war songs famous.
何日君再来 When will you return to me
I won't translate this song - it's basically a young woman (possibly a floozy) entreating her lover to stay. She tries to tempt him with wine, with food ... hence her very sweet and seductive voice :)
好花不常开
好景不常在
愁堆解笑眉
泪洒相思带
今宵离别后
何日君再来
喝完了这杯
请进点小菜
人生能得几回醉
不欢更何待
[白]来,
喝完这杯再说吧!
今宵离别后
何日君再来
停唱阳关叠
重擎白玉杯
殷勤频致语
牢牢抚君怀
今宵离别后
何日君再来
喝完了这杯
请进点小菜
人生能得几回醉
不欢更何待
[白]哎!
再喝一杯,干了吧!
今宵离别后
何日君再来
我只在乎你. A Teresa Teng love song called "I only care about you". The song basically says - where would I be if I hadn't met you? I'd be nothing, life would be meaningless, I only care about you :)
如果没有遇见你我将会是在那里
日子过的怎么样人生是否要珍惜
也许认识某一人过着平凡的日子
不知道会不会也有爱情甜如蜜
---
任时光匆匆流去我只在乎你
心甘情愿感染你的气息
人生几何能够得到知己
失去生命的力量也不可惜
所以我求求你别让我离开你
除了你我不能感到一丝丝情意
不要什么诺言只要天天在一起
我不能只依靠片片回忆活下去
夜来香 A torchy song called Fragrant Evening or 'Tuberose'. It's a song that was popular in thirties Shanghai (I think).
那南风吹来清凉
那夜莺啼声细唱
月下的花儿都入梦
只有那夜来香
吐露着芬芳
我爱这夜色茫茫
也爱这夜莺歌唱
更爱那花一般的梦
拥抱着夜来香
闻这夜来香
夜来香我为你歌唱
夜来香我为你思量
啊~啊我为你歌唱
我为你思量
la~la~la
夜来香
夜来香
夜来香
小城故事. "Small Town Story". Just a story about idyllic, bucolic living in a small town
小城故事多
There are many small town stories
充满喜和乐
Full of happiness and pleasure
若是你到小城来
If you come to a small town
收获特别多
You will gain much
看似一幅画
See a painting
听像一首歌
Listen to a song
人生境界真善美这里已包括
It already encompasses the beauty of a human life
谈的谈说的说
Have a chat, have a conversation
小城故事真不错
Small town stories really aren't bad
请你的朋友一起来
As your friends to come with you
小城来做客
The small town will act as your host