人行猶可復，
歲行那可追。
Though gone away, he may come back some day. Where can we find the old year once it departs?
問歲安所之？
遠在天一涯。
May I ask whither the old year has passed? At the end of the earth it leaves no track.
已逐東流水，
赴海歸無時。
It is gone with the water flowing fast To the East Sea and will never come back.
東鄰酒初熟，
西舍餾亦肥。
Wine is warmed by our neighbors on the east And the pork of those on the west is fat.
且為一日歡，
慰此窮年悲。
I'd like to have one happy day at least So that the lean year may not be grieved at.
勿嗟舊歲別，
行與新歲辭。
Do not sigh for the departing old year! Soon we shall say goodbye to New Year's Day.
去去勿回顧，
還君老與衰。
Do not look back but let them disappear. Man will grow old and his powers decay.