漂向北方 – Bilingual Lyrics Chinese/English

• By: 黃明志, 王力宏

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into "漂向北方" (Stranger in the North) by 黃明志 and 王力宏, a compelling song that beautifully blends rap and pop to tell the stories of "Beipiao" – young individuals migrating to Beijing for opportunities. Learning the lyrics and cultural context of this song offers a unique window into contemporary Chinese society and the dreams and hardships of its people, making it an excellent resource for understanding Mandarin Chinese in a meaningful, relatable context.

[English]

Drifting north, don't ask about my hometown

The towering ancient city walls can't block the sorrow

I'm drifting north, are my family members safe?

The heavy burden on my shoulders is filled with melancholy

Some say he owes a lot back home and needs to lay low

Some say he has mastered martial arts but has no chance to shine

Some have lost themselves, drifting aimlessly

Some chase dreams, for meals, to support their families

He lives in a rundown job-seeking apartment in Yanjiao

In the crowded building, strangers all come from afar

He buries himself in writing resumes, holding onto many hopes

Traveling back and forth on Highway 930, hoping for a miracle

Holding back tears (not listening, not wanting to, regretting not looking back)

Hiding the wounds (carrying dreams, determined to wander)

Looking up (putting down pride, the past was so glorious)

In the slanting sun (even if it's tough, defeated, I can't surrender)

Dear (goodbye to the south, gazing at the most beautiful hometown)

In the distance (coconut trees swaying, illusions reflected in dreams)

This city (the smog is too rampant, it won't disperse)

So confused (can't see clearly ahead, Wen Huiru)

I'm drifting north, don't ask about my hometown

The towering ancient city walls can't block the sorrow

I'm drifting north, are my family members safe?

The heavy burden on my shoulders is filled with melancholy

It's also the last hope, a distant place I can't return to, oh

The air is too dirty, too murky, he says he doesn't like it

The traffic is too chaotic, too hurried, he's still not used to it

On the sidewalk, pairs of eyes glance coldly

He often gets himself drunk, forcing himself to blend in this dyeing vat

Walking with unsteady steps, the liquor shakes in his hand

Disheartened people occasionally collapse in those alleys

Chewing on spicy lamb, holding a bowl of hot soup

Warmly comforting the unease within

Holding back tears (not listening, not wanting to, regretting not looking back)

Hiding the wounds (carrying dreams, determined to wander)

Looking up (putting down pride, the past was so glorious)

In the slanting sun (even if it's tough, defeated, I can't surrender)

Dear (goodbye to the south, gazing at the most beautiful hometown)

In the distance (coconut trees swaying, illusions reflected in dreams)

This city (the smog is too rampant)

So confused (can't see clearly ahead)

I'm drifting north, don't ask about my hometown

The towering ancient city walls can't block the sorrow

I'm drifting north, are my family members safe?

The heavy burden on my shoulders is filled with melancholy

Just like the dust scattered with the wind

Who can lead me to fly together?

I stand in the center of the Temple of Heaven, closing my eyes

Praying for the safety of my family

Drifting north, don't ask about my hometown

The towering ancient city walls can't block the sorrow

I'm drifting north, are my family members safe?

The heavy burden on my shoulders is filled with melancholy

(I'm drifting north) I stand at the foot of the emperor, gasping for breath

(Don't ask about my hometown) Walking on Qianmen Street, diverging from the crowd

(The towering ancient city walls) Perhaps I never belonged here, should have left long ago

(Can't block the sorrow) Who can give me a fatal blow? Please hit me hard

(I'm drifting north) This is the center of dreams, but dreams are always out of reach

(Are my family members safe?) This is the holy land of dream fulfillment, but it's always elusive

(The heavy burden on my shoulders) How many can't withstand the cruel reality, disappearing from sight

(Filled with melancholy) How many have fallen into a coma, leaving only an empty shell

(It's also the last hope) Rest in peace

A distant place I can't return to, oh

Drifting north, don't ask about my hometown anymore

Thank you, Wen Huiru, Huang Mingzhi

...

[Chinese]

漂向北方 別問我家鄉

高聳古老的城牆 擋不住憂傷

我漂向北方 家人是否無恙

肩上沉重的行囊 盛滿了惆悵

有人說他在老家欠了一堆錢 需要避避風頭

有人說他練就了一身武藝卻沒機會嶄露

有人失去了自我 手足無措四處漂流

有人為了夢想為了三餐為養家餬口

他住在燕郊區 殘破的求職公寓

擁擠的大樓裡 堆滿陌生人都來自外地

他埋頭寫著履歷 懷抱著多少憧憬

往返在九三零號公路 內心盼著奇蹟

忍著淚 (不聽也不想 不敢回頭望的遺憾)

掩著傷 (扛下了夢想 要毅然決然去流浪)

抬頭看 (卸下了自尊 光環 過去多風光)

著斜陽 (就算再不堪 敗仗 也不能投降)

親愛的 (再見了南方 眺望最美麗的家鄉)

在遠方 (椰子樹搖晃 夢境倒映著的幻象)

這城市 (霧霾太猖狂 不散)

太迷惘 (都看不清前方 文慧如)

我漂向北方 別問我家鄉

高聳古老的城牆 擋不住憂傷

我漂向北方 家人是否無恙

肩上沉重的行囊 盛滿了惆悵

也是最後寄望 回不去的遠方 哦

空氣太髒 太混濁 他說不喜歡

車太混亂 太匆忙 他還不習慣

人行道一雙又一雙 斜視冷漠的眼光

他經常將自己灌醉 強迫融入 這大染缸

走著腳步蹣跚 二鍋頭在搖晃

失意的人啊偶爾醉倒在那胡同陋巷

咀嚼爆肚涮羊 手中盛著一碗熱湯

用力地 溫暖著 內心裡的不安

忍著淚 (不聽也不想 不敢回頭望的遺憾)

掩著傷 (扛下了夢想 要毅然決然去流浪)

抬頭看 (卸下了自尊 光環 過去多風光)

著斜陽 (就算再不堪 敗仗 也不能投降)

親愛的 (再見了南方 眺望最美麗的家鄉)

在遠方 (椰子樹搖晃 夢境倒映著的幻象)

這城市 (霧霾太猖狂)

太迷惘 (不散 都看不清前方)

我漂向北方 別問我家鄉

高聳古老的城牆 擋不住憂傷

我漂向北方 家人是否無恙

肩上沉重的行囊 盛滿了惆悵

就像那塵土飄散隨著風向

誰又能帶領著我一起飛翔

我站在天壇中央閉上眼

祈求一家人都平安

漂向北方 別問我家鄉

高聳古老的城牆 擋不住憂傷

我漂向北方 家人是否無恙

肩上沉重的行囊 盛滿了惆悵

(我漂向北方) 我站在天子腳下 被踩得喘不過氣

(別問我家鄉) 走在前門大街 跟人潮 總會分歧

(高聳古老的城牆) 或許我根本不屬於這裡 早就該離去

(擋不住憂傷) 誰能給我致命的一擊 請用力到徹底

(我漂向北方) 這裡是夢想的中心 但夢想都遙不可及

(家人是否無恙) 這裡是圓夢的聖地 但卻總是撲朔迷離

(肩上沉重的行囊) 多少人敵不過殘酷的現實 從此銷聲匿跡

(盛滿了惆悵) 多少人陷入了昏迷 剩下一具 空殼屍體

(也是最後寄望) rest In peace

回不去的遠方 哦

漂向北方 別再問我家鄉

謝謝 文慧如 黃明志

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
城牆 /chéngqiáng/ B2	noun - city wall
家鄉 /jiāxiāng/ B2	noun - hometown
憂傷 /yōushāng/ B2	noun - sorrow, sadness
行囊 /xíngnáng/ B2	noun - travel bag, luggage
憧憬 /chōujǐng/ B2	noun - longing, aspiration
夢想 /mèngxiǎng/ B2	noun - dream, aspiration
孤獨 /gūdú/ B2	noun - loneliness
流浪 /liúlàng/ B2	verb - to wander, to drift
迷惘 /míwǎng/ B2	adjective - confused, bewildered
殘酷 /cánkù/ B2	adjective - cruel
銷聲匿跡 /xiāoshēngnìjì/ C1	verb - disappear without trace
圓夢 /yuánmèng/ B2	verb - to realize a dream
悲劇 /bēijù/ B2	noun - tragedy

Key Grammar Structures

• 漂向北方 別問我家鄉

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The phrase "別問" is an imperative form, instructing someone not to ask.

• 肩上沉重的行囊 盛滿了惆悵

  ➔ Adjective + 的 + Noun structure

  ➔ The phrase "肩上沉重的行囊" uses an adjective to describe the noun, indicating the heaviness of the burden.

• 他住在燕郊區 殘破的求職公寓

  ➔ Present continuous tense

  ➔ The phrase "他住在" indicates an ongoing action of living in a place.

• 他經常將自己灌醉

  ➔ Adverb of frequency

  ➔ The word "經常" is an adverb indicating how often he gets drunk.

• 就算再不堪 敗仗 也不能投降

  ➔ Concessive clause

  ➔ The phrase "就算再不堪" introduces a concessive clause, indicating that despite difficulties, one should not give up.

• 我站在天壇中央閉上眼

  ➔ Present simple tense

  ➔ The phrase "我站在" uses the present simple tense to describe a current state of being.

• 回不去的遠方

  ➔ Negative form

  ➔ The phrase "回不去" is in the negative form, indicating the inability to return.