紅塵客棧 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 周杰倫

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the lyrical beauty and rich cultural tapestry of Jay Chou's "紅塵客棧." This iconic 'Chinese style' song offers a captivating blend of traditional Eastern melodies and modern pop, making it an excellent gateway to understanding the nuances of Mandarin Chinese through its poetic storytelling and classical allusions. Learn new vocabulary related to wuxia themes, emotions, and philosophical concepts while enjoying a timeless masterpiece.

[English]

At the edge of the world, it's all just sand and wind

The stories of the mortal realm are all about longings and attachments

Sheaths hidden away in ordinary homes, beneath the eastern fence

Casual clouds, wild cranes, ancient temples

Fast horses rushing through rivers and lakes, fighting for fame and fortune

It's just about greed and gain, impossible to let go

Those with dreams of kingdoms in their hearts, how can they be carefree and spontaneous

I only ask to grow old with you

Sword drawn, love and hatred, who's laughing now

All I want today is to hold you close

The mortal inn is like a blade, sudden rain falling, fate knocking

No matter who leads the martial world, I only bow for you

Crossing deserted villages and bridges, seeking a world outside, along ancient paths

Far from worldly noise, willow catkins drifting, holding your hand and wandering freely

...

Under the eaves, the window lattice casts slanted shadows on the branches

Sitting face to face with you, drinking tea

I use fine brushwork to deeply remember you

Taking up the brush, not to seek elegance

By the lamp, sighing at the beauty fading into the evening glow

I believe fate is like meditation, silent and profound

Your tears, like pear blossoms, stain the world on the paper

Love and hate, like a freehand mountain and water painting

...

Sword drawn, love and hatred, who's laughing now

All I ask today is to hold you close

The mortal inn is like a blade, sudden rain falling, fate knocking

No matter who's leading the martial world, I only bow for you

Crossing deserted villages and bridges, seeking a world outside, along ancient paths

Far from worldly noise, willow catkins drifting, holding your hand and wandering freely

...

No matter who's leading the martial world, I only bow for you

Your charming glance, I smile through tears

In the wind, flags flutter, the sword is sheathed, love and hatred collide

...

[Chinese]

天涯 的盡頭是風沙

紅塵 的故事叫牽掛

封刀隱沒在尋常人家 東籬下

閒雲 野鶴 古剎

快馬 在江湖裡廝殺

無非 是名跟利放不下

心中有江山的人豈能快意瀟灑

我只求與你共 華髮

劍出鞘 恩怨了 誰笑

我只求今朝 擁你入 懷抱

紅塵客棧風似刀 驟雨落 宿命敲

任武林誰領風騷我卻 只為你 折腰

過荒村野橋 尋世外 古道

遠離人間塵囂 柳絮飄執子之手逍遙

檐下 窗櫺斜映枝椏

與你 席地對座飲茶

我以工筆畫將你牢牢 的記下

提筆 不為風雅

燈下 嘆紅顏近晚霞

我說緣份 一如參禪不說話

你淚如梨花灑滿了紙上的天下

愛恨如寫意 山水畫

劍出鞘 恩怨了 誰笑

我只求今朝 擁你入 懷抱

紅塵客棧風似刀 驟雨落 宿命敲

任武林誰領風騷我卻 只為你 折腰

過荒村野橋 尋世外 古道

遠離人間塵囂 柳絮飄執子之手逍遙

任武林誰領風騷我卻 只為你 折腰

你回眸多嬌 我淚中 帶笑

酒招旗風中蕭蕭 劍出鞘 恩怨了

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
天涯 /tiān yá/ B2	noun - the ends of the earth
紅塵 /hóng chén/ B2	noun - the secular world or earthly desires
故事 /gù shì/ A2	noun - story
快馬 /kuài mǎ/ B1	noun - fast horse
江湖 /jiāng hú/ B2	noun - rivers and lakes; often refers to the martial arts world
心中 /xīn zhōng/ B1	noun - in one's heart or mind
劍 /jiàn/ A2	noun - sword
懷抱 /huái bào/ B2	noun - embrace
宿命 /sù mìng/ C1	noun - fate or destiny
柳絮 /liǔ xù/ B2	noun - willow catkins
淚 /lèi/ A2	noun - tear
愛恨 /ài hèn/ B2	noun - love and hate
緣份 /yuán fèn/ B2	noun - fate or destiny in relationships

Key Grammar Structures

• 天涯 的盡頭是風沙

  ➔ The structure '是' (shì) is used to equate or define the subject with the complement.

  ➔

• 心中有江山的人豈能快意瀟灑

  ➔ The phrase '豈能' (qǐ néng) expresses rhetorical possibility or impossibility, translated as 'could not possibly have'.

  ➔

• 我只求與你共華髮

  ➔ The structure '只求' (zhǐ qiú) emphasizes a sole desire or wish to do something.

  ➔

• 劍出鞘 恩怨了 誰笑

  ➔ The phrase '出鞘' (chū qiào) indicates drawing a sword, symbolizing readiness or confrontation.

  ➔

• 遠離人間塵囂 柳絮飄執子之手逍遙

  ➔ The phrase '遠離' (yuǎn lí) is a verb indicating 'to stay away from' or 'to distance oneself from'.

  ➔

• 提筆 不為風雅

  ➔ The phrase '不為' (bù wéi) shows 'not for' or 'not acting in order to' and introduces the negative purpose.

  ➔

• 燈下 嘆紅顏近晚霞

  ➔ The phrase '嘆' (tàn) is a verb meaning 'to sigh' or 'to lament', expressing emotional reflection.

  ➔