雷克雅未克 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 麥浚龍, 周國賢

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language through music is a powerful tool, and “雷克雅未克” offers a unique opportunity for learners of Cantonese. The song's rich, narrative-driven lyrics, penned by the master lyricist Wyman Wong, provide a compelling story to follow. By delving into the lyrics, you can learn vocabulary related to emotions, promises, and travel, all while being immersed in a story that captivated Hong Kong. The song’s special crossover with another artist’s storyline adds another layer of depth, making it a fascinating piece of Cantopop history to explore.

[English]

Please keep your promise and fly here to break the ice for me.

Standing before Iceland's famous sights, I can't kill this obsession.

That past love buried in the ruins — vows left unfinished, but no clarity.

And you once said we'd pick up old scenes again next year.

Walking alone in the snow through an ancient town—Nordic-style music, lively yet calm.

Hidden in my iPod, the blue whale softly sings the heart of those left behind in melody.

Compared to what's out there, it's slow and pure.

Lost passersby like me carry fleeting feelings without needing words.

There’s a light in the Arctic, you said it’s there to keep me company while I gaze.

When I feel hopeless, just thinking about it can set me free.

This green-tinged purple glow never erupts in the sky with rage.

It's like reaching a distant place we once could go together but never did.

Icebergs unvisited, volcanoes unchallenged.

Still, my passion burns fiercely in endless thought, sent out over ten years.

It's like a hot spring bursting into cold—flooding into the icy depths.

In the war of heat and cold, those with patience win, freezing old love until it melts again.

Or maybe I broke my promise, already prepared for it deep inside you.

Holding onto Iceland was just my unfulfilled hope.

It's not like all lovers seek a reunion—to relive beautiful dreams.

Lovers all want to meet again, to mend the old wounds.

If lovers could reunite, songs of love wouldn't have so many great moments.

Walking on air early in the morning, I bury my heart to the early dawn.

After the regret of breaking promises, I let it all go and relax.

Let my longing be buried deep in the white snow.

There’s a light in the Arctic, you said it’s there to keep me company while I gaze.

When I feel hopeless, just thinking about it can set me free.

This green-tinged purple glow never erupts in the sky with rage.

It's like reaching a distant place we once could go together but never did.

Icebergs unvisited, volcanoes unchallenged.

Or maybe I’m overly confident and proud—our Iceland date was just a mistaken scene.

I never really listened — the city that lovers return to unexpectedly changed its name.

Never meeting again, no point in blaming fate.

I’ve never had the skill to truly read others’ hearts.

Please keep your promise and fly here to watch the stars with me.

In the ruins of Fukushima's famous sights, the sacred still shines through.

Who can revisit past love, even after ten years, and venture out again?

In the ruins of time, I search for proof of pure love untouched by pollution.

...

[Chinese]

還請你兌現約定 飛到為我破冰

置身冰島名勝 殺不死依存症

前塵埋沒那段情 約誓殘念卻沒有清

而你有講過 來年再續舊場景

冒雪獨自踏故城 北歐式配樂 靈動而冷靜

潛入我隨身聽 藍鯨在旋律間低唱遺孤的心聲

相比這市面 緩慢而潔凈

徬徨路人像我 攜同不必的感性

北極裡有一束光 你話留來伴我望

我若覺得絕望 想到亦會全釋放

這綠裡透紫的光 從未天際怒放

好比原來一起能到達的遠方 而未同往

冰川未訪 火山未闖

還是我自困空想之中 未熄的熱情用十年來放送

彷彿一眼熱泉湧進 寒冷冰窖中

炎涼大戰中 誰夠耐性便勝利冰封舊情再解凍

或者失約 一早已在你 預備中

堅守冰島只是我 未望通

根本不是天下情人都求重逢 重溫美夢

情人都求重逢 重修破洞

如情人都能重逢 情歌少很多精彩內容

來踏步空 早些心死早上進

念念的 失約以後 我便我便放鬆

讓掛念葬在最深白雪中

北極裡有一束光 你話留來伴我望

我若覺得絕望 想到亦會全釋放

這綠裡透紫的光 從未天際怒放

好比原來一起能到達的遠方 而未同往

冰川未訪 火山未闖

或我自負又氣盛 冰島的約會純屬場錯認

從沒有留心聽 情人話重返的都市無端改了姓

終不可碰面 無謂來怨命

從來並無洞察 旁人心底的本領

請你兌現約定 飛到伴我看星

往昔福島名勝 破損中顯神聖

誰人能為昨日情 過十年後再度遠征

時間廢墟裡 尋那不經污染相戀的鐵証

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
冰 /bīng/ A1	noun - ice
冰島 /bīng dǎo/ A1	noun - Iceland
雪 /xuě/ A1	noun - snow
心 /xīn/ A1	noun - heart
情 /qíng/ A2	noun - feeling, emotion
夢 /mèng/ A2	noun - dream
光 /guāng/ A2	noun - light
重逢 /chóng féng/ B1	verb - to reunite, to meet again
熱情 /rè qíng/ B1	noun - passion, enthusiasm
絕望 /jué wàng/ B1	adjective - desperate noun - despair
遠方 /yuǎn fāng/ B1	noun - distant place
火山 /huǒ shān/ B1	noun - volcano
冰川 /bīng chuān/ B1	noun - glacier
寂靜 /jì jìng/ B2	adjective - quiet, still, silent
廢墟 /fèi xū/ B2	noun - ruins
洞察 /dòng chá/ C1	verb - to perceive, to see clearly, insight

Key Grammar Structures

• 還請你兌現約定

  ➔ Use of the verb phrase with '還請' as a polite request.

  ➔ '還請' indicates a polite request or urging someone to fulfill an obligation.

• 飛到為我破冰

  ➔ Use of the verb '飛' (to fly) + '到' (to reach), indicating movement towards a destination.

  ➔ '飛到' expresses the action of flying to reach a certain place, metaphorically suggesting reaching goals or overcoming obstacles.

• 置身冰島名勝

  ➔ Use of '置身' (to be immersed or present in) + place name with modifier, indicating being in a specific location.

  ➔ '置身' conveys being physically present or immersed in a place, emphasizing one's involvement or immersion.

• 殺不死依存症

  ➔ Use of negation with '殺不死' (cannot kill), expressing inability or resilience.

  ➔ '殺不死' combines the verb '殺' (to kill) with the negation '不' (not), expressing resilience or inability to be destroyed.

• 往昔福島名勝

  ➔ Use of '往昔' (past, formerly) + place name, indicating a reference to the past.

  ➔ '往昔' is an archaic or literary term meaning 'past' or 'former days', often used poetically.