Yue Fei

By the railing I stand,

Showers have stopped,

I bristle with wrath, my hair uncaging.

My eyes towards the sky,

To arms! Long I cry,

To war, for a heavenly cause! I’m raging.

My decade of deeds, as dust I deem, short of the final victory,

O’er thousands of miles, day or night, been in battle engaging.

So take it to heart, get set!

Lest, in vain, we’ll regret,

Turned grey, our youthful heads, on aging.

Held captive still, our sovereigns,

Unavenged, this burning shame;

When? Why now is the hour

To burn out our vengeful flame.

O charge, you columns of chariots!

Crash that gap at Helan-Shan! Crush it in heaven’s name!

In hunger we eat their body, in thirst, drink their blood!

We’ll so boast of our bravery, as if them tartars were game.

All over again, in rally we stand:

Our homeland of old, to recapture,

Our emperor, “All hail!” to acclaim.

The autumn crickets chirped incessantly last night,

Breaking my dream home-bound,

'Twas already mid-night.

I got up and alone in the yard walk'd around,

On window screen the moon shone bright,

There was no human sound.

My.hair turns gray 

For the glorious day,

In native hills bamboos and pines grow old.

O when can I see my household?

I would confide to my lute what I have in view,

But connoisseurs are few.

Who would be listening

Though I break my lute string?

I gaze on Central Plain from afar.

Beyond the wasteland drear and dry,

How many cities and towns there are!

In years gone by,

As many pavilions and bowers

Were screened by green willows and red flowers,

The Royal Hill adorned with pearls and emerald,

The Fairy Palace filled with flute songs.Now behold!

Neath city walls enemy horses raise a dust When the wind blows in gust.

Where are our armed men?

By swords they were slain.

And people alike

Have filled moat and dyke.

Alas!the land still seems the same,

But villages lie ruined in war flame.

When can I get the order 

To lead my warriors brave,

Whipping my steed,to cross the river wave 

And clear the border?

When I come back,again

I'd make a Southern trip on Yellow Crane.