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