去日苦多。
The bygone days come not anew.
慨当以慷，
I sigh and sigh, for life is short;
幽思难忘。
I’m always haunted by the thought.
何以解忧？
How can I relieve my pang?
惟有杜康。
Nothing but the wine Dukang.
青青子衿，
The collar of your coat is blue;
悠悠我心。
This colour brings back thought of you.
但为君故，
As you remain far, far away,
沉吟至今。
I sing this famous song today.
呦呦鹿鸣，
The bleating deer can oft be seen
食野之苹。
Nibbling there on wormwood green.
我有嘉宾，
To renowned guests I pay salute,
鼓瑟吹笙。
With music of the lute and flute.
明明如月，
Bright, oh bright is the moon;
何时可掇？
In the heaven it is strewn.
忧从中来，
Over this I always grieve;
不可断绝。
My lasting sorrows never leave.
越陌度阡，
However, you’ve come all the way;
枉用相存。
To offer service here you stay.
契阔谈宴，
We chatter freely as old friends;
心念旧恩。
Our deep affection never ends.
月明星稀，
The moon and stars shine in the sky;
乌鹊南飞。
Toward the south the songbirds fly.
绕树三匝，
When birds are circling round the birch,