贱子歌一言。
仆本寒乡土，
I’ll sing a song which you might like the most. I grew up on a stretch of wretched land,
出身蒙汉恩。
始随张校尉，
Where I joined the army at the king’s command. I followed Major Zhang full many a year
占募到河源。
后逐李轻车，
And served him in the west without a fear. Then I followed General Li’s orders
追虏穷塞垣。
密途亘万里，
And drove the savages back across the borders. I hurried miles and miles in my prime of life,
宁岁犹七奔。
肌力尽鞍甲，
At the beck and call of border strife. Years of battle life tore me apart;
心思历凉温。
将军既下世，
Cares and worries wore away my heart. In the end, the general died in war
部曲亦罕存。
时事一朝异，
And most of his assistants were no more. When times changed and other people took the lead,
孤绩谁复论？
少壮辞家去，
Who would remember my heroic deed? I left home when I was young and bold
穷老还入门。
腰镰刈葵藿，
And home again, so poor and old. I weed the bean and mallow leaves and sprigs
倚杖牧鸡豚。
And hold my stick to feed the hens and pigs.