Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Ode to the Sunflowers



Ode to the Sunflowers
by Laijon Liu 20131224

O, Shine! Blaze! and Burn!
You golden glorious flowers!
Brighten up this gray canvas now
with your piercing sunbeams!
Stroke by stroke, a passionate verse
bloom and bloom, heart at its strive
there you are, hanging on the museum wall
here you are, risen in my heart, out of dirt.

Seeds, seeds, and your seeds!
your countenance full of hope!
Your curled burdened stems, and drooping heads
attending potato eaters and helpless women.
Christ served the broken and the lowly
glad tidings gushing into coal mine and brothel
Your tranquil lamplight glowing in a shelter,
I see your gaze, and I feel your warmth.

Ah Light! What’s your fairest color?
Yes! It’s Yellow! Orange! and Amber!
Transcending light! Fair radiant aura!
Your gold image enlightens and dazzles!
Morning sun torches its daybreak sky
Setting sun shepherds His wheatfield and sower
Golden bloated moon, spinning gilded stars
stirring up the night heavens of cold!

Heavy laden heart, worn out boots
A renegade son trudges on his new pilgrim road
sunburn face, scorched beard, selfies of distress
a short journey to love is long and weary.
Peach tree and dry willows are in fire
autumn meadow and haystacks melt
standing on a dirt pathway, your soul cries out:
“Believe! My friend! We are doing something great!”

Bard says, Perspective it’s best painter’s art
Your arms like marigold petals at sun’s eye
they’re stretching, reaching, and hanging
a bundle of young suns blooming, and dying
youth for greatness like morning dew
fervent desire, beauty in light
all burnt out, and gone too soon
ah, nothing fades away in your earthen pot

What is true image of life? Love? And Art?
Is it meditative imagination or impulsive depiction?
Pigment mixed with oil, color varies
thoughts and emotion tunes on palette
Light, night, energy, and chaos
village and bars serene, storms torrential
figures, portraits, blossom and trees
Aren't they all exist in heartbeat?

Yeah! Heartbeat, pulse, and gleaming rays
so bright, electric and energetic
so warm, generous and welcome
how fair you are, and how friendly you are!
There you were, standing in the street corner
alone painting [1] your dreamy house yellow
there you were, in your yellow house alone
setting the beds and the seats.

Dream blossoms in your yellow house
buds and buds bloom in bright mellow light
the tan sunflowers set in front of buttered wall
your rushing brush is singing, singing aria:
“O Come and adore, you children of the sun,
Your father does not abandon you!
Your brothers do not abandon you!
In this divine light the living and dead abide!”

Note:
I love Van Gogh's Sunflowers, there's something very spiritual and religious in the sunflowers, especially the yellow over yellow piece, graceful butter light and tan sunflowers in color harmony that symbolizes some sort of Christian theme of God and men or Father and son relationship as Michelangelo's painting, below. Only there's no distance btwn sunlight and the sunflowers.
Since last year, I've studied his letters, books, Taschen paintings catalog book and bought some dvd programs about his art and life and this week eventually written down above 8 segments of my feeling and thought to honor this great tormented pilgrim.
[1] According to the books that Mr. Van Gogh rent a yellow house, and to me an artist is always working, painting, doing something that often attracts people's attention, so I romanticize the image of Vincent painting his house yellow.



Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Zen Poem by a Chinese Monk

Untitled
by Monk Wu Men Hui Kai

Spring blooms, autumn moon
Summer breeze and winter snow
if matters do not weigh down our heart
then we are in good season

by 无门慧开

春有百花秋有月
夏有凉风冬有雪
若无闲事挂心头
便是人间好时节



Friday, October 4, 2013

Elegy for Freedom (elegy for blackfish)

Elegy for Freedom (elegy for blackfish)
Laijon Liu 20131004



Birds fly in sky, animal roam wild
but why dolphin and orca sink in a pool?
Behind endless circular wall, there
their soul forever searching for home
Majestic creature, unhindered faith
with gifted grace and mighty strength
the so called long distance swimmers
in a tank dreaming of sea and world

their grief, men do not comprehend
their long range calls to the deaf ears
their every gentle nod is beg for mercy
yet we convert all their behaviors to profit
“Show Time! Let the children come!
See the creature of God, how wonderful!”
their fluke fin slap, joyful waves brim
A sudden lunge into air, spectators on climax

By nature they are born to swim free
ocean is their mom, family is lifetime bonding
and on what contract they sign up their life
to become circus animal, tumbling to entertain?
Their heavy burdened body slowly float
giant black coffins drifting to nowhere
their eyes are submerged in teary water
candlelight shimmering in night river

we adore them, we love them
so we capture them, breed them in our park
zoo, pool, enclosure, aquarium, cage with bars
these are the museums showcase their agony
they are just animals, brainless animals
they have appetite, but no emotion or thought
our heart, stone hard, denies our conscience
even monkeys do show empathy and sympathy!

we feed cats, we pet dogs
we enjoy companionship as they share with us
love is mutual affection built upon freewill
earth upholds living creature’s right and habitat
bird sings in a blanket wooden cage, sweet tune
a blind poet reciting his love poems
a mother whale is calling for her baby in a tank
we hire specialists to learn this strange phenomenon

“gimme liberty or gimme death!”
this! how we defend our natural right!
by suicide or die by fighting we safeguard our choice
yet animal know not this solution to end their misery
like exiled ghosts hovering in a dark well
they are haunted by the aliens above
daylight, countless circles and foreign signals
night, silence, lonely and hunger

O poor gentle creatures, graceful friend of sea
how you lost your home and stood on this stage
all their nonsense lines and clumsy programs
men train you to mannerly perform
like we men know what’s best for you
like we men know you prefer pool than ocean
we keep you, to save you, to protect your habitat
til our kids believe it’s okay to keep you in a tank!

Sing! Oh, Sing! You divas of great sea!
Can you recall any happy tunes?
Sing your psalm, sing your lullaby
Sing your ode to joy, and cry!
Cry! til Ocean hears you!
Cry! til your mother hears you!
Cry to God, to dispatch Jonah!
That one day we men repent! and set you free!

Note:
I watched the documentary film “Blackfish”, I am so angry and heartbroken.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Crater

 Crater
Laijon Liu 20130809

A giant bowl of dirt
holds emptiness

darkness of an orbit
staring at nightsky

wide opened mouth
mutely howls

An extraterrestrial event
shock-landed on Earth

Impact, the past erased
damage, reconstruct, reunion

its crushed center bed
sand tiny and soft, like water

its huge circular wall
cuts off winds and world

only the azure roundure, clouds and stars
and mystery behind the wall
broods oblivion and obsession

Note:

Inspired by Mr. James Turrell’s crater project.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

There Political Poems

What A Great Wall! 
- Inspired by China Commy Government Firewall Installation

Mud Wrestling 
- Bible scripture and some documentary film image

Secure the American Dream
- Mr. Bill Moyers' Frontline film on PBS

I am glad I also have 3 political poems, I kind of feel it's my mission to use my poetry talent to help poor common people and society, I'm not little David can beat down giant Goliath, at least I have tried to throw a few rocks at the bad system, who knows it's already crumbling within.

Secure the American Dream

Secure the American Dream
Laijon Liu 20130711

The meaning of security in dictionary:
The state of being free from danger or threat

To me security means:
The state of being free from hunger or unemployment
so people can enjoy their life, exercise liberty and pursuit of happiness.

Men in uniform with gun do not make people feel safe,
Nor an elegant speech does bring security to the common.

On our borders we build fence and walls, thru history
men routined to do that, beyond the wall there are barbarians
within the wall there are hopeless laboring slaves
on both side people cut off by the wall are secured.

I learned to compose a speech
to secure me a political position;
I learned to serve the special interest
so the majority will be saved;
I learned to protect the cracked system
and hope one day it somehow fixes itself.

NSA scan email and phone calls
they make sure America is secured;
soldiers collapse in far deserts
for the safety of their homeland;
young grads pop beer in their parents basement
a jobless shelter is temporarily secured.

I’ve never had feeling the world is safe
I am never afraid of war or terrorist extreme act
I’m in America, I trust US soldiers, cops and firefighters
but I am afraid of hunger, disease and unemployment
the tuition can shatter parents’ saving and kids’ career
the surgery cost rings like a bomb demolishes a house
as many hopeless jobless Americans I search on Craiglist
there’re some employers wouldn’t bother to post a pay rate!

Thanks to the beloved Senators and administrations
big and small corps can hire knock off oversea labors
cheap crap surge like tsunami, rise from the raped yellow earth
washing every continents and seaports
winners take all, this global market economy is secured.

I understand politicians must work for their donors first
like hounds chasing rabbits afront their riding masters
so their political career is secured,
their job creators’ pocket is secured,
the rest and middle class will hear the secure plan every 4 year
and wonder what is American Dream?

it’s American custom to watch documentary on 3rd week of Jan
together people stretch their voice repeatedly call out:
“I Have A Dream! I Have A Dream! I Have A Dream!”
til their American Dream Is miraculously Secured.

Note:
This poem is inspired by Mr. Bill Moyers' Frontline documentary film on PBS.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Nana Mouskouri’s cd album [I’ll remember you]

My Friends,

Through my songs I have learned that life was never meant to be just a path
to a final destination but a wonderful journey into music, with Love, Honesty, and Truth.
People helped me to see and feel the loyalty and humanity around me.

Songs took me through pathways, streets and boulevards, across roads and highways,
showed me rivers and streams, open seas and oceans, hills and fields, mountains,
storms and rough waters, only to show me that if you believe all the way, at the end
there are rainbows, sunshine, hopes, blue skies, moonlight and starry nights,
and that dreams can come true. It does not really matter what you do.
The most important is the why and how you do it.

It takes most of all the energy of Love, Curiosity to listen, Enthusiasm, Dignity
and Respect. Somehow I was always instinctively, destined to be a singer and singing
has become my way of living for all these years. There were encounters friends and emotions
that brought to listen and then learn, and I am still learning.

.......



This is extract from Nana Mouskouri’s cd album [I’ll remember you], written by Nana, beautiful prose.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Mud Wrestling

Mud Wrestling
Laijon Liu 20130706

Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life.
Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,
And you shall eat the herb of the field.
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
Till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are,
And to dust you shall return.”                                             - Genesis 3:17-19

dark soil, brown dirt, yellow sand, red clay...
this is what Earth made of,
in it life born, nurtured and dies.

God Yahweh, and, goddess Nuwa also used it
for the mastery of their life achievement creation
mineral, nutrients, roots, gold, and diamond hide in it
dinosaur skeleton and dump scientists sample it
scattered buried bones and skulls for archeologists to find
even climate catastrophe and falling stars are registered in it

Mud represents a label:
filth, low status and failure
anyone slippery fall in it, is a tragedy
surely that becomes bystander’s laughing stock

men are but muddy human figures struggling in dirt field
in its color we lose our identity and nationality
politicians and businessmen all in a dirty game
title, suit, leather shoes, big desk and golf course
all covered in a true brown color
ideal, dream, principal and law are mixed in a giant pot
our globe rotates like a cement mixer
we are the mud, become concrete, become architecture art
we are built, and we are torn down

market capital concept is developed after industrial revolution
miners, factory workers and farmers are created by dirt and mud
before 18th century people pant in it
after, people blow it into the sky
machinery replaces labors, earth produces more
every invention draws a wrestle of investment

millions WWII soldiers, crawling on black and white screen
Nazi, Red Army, American, Europeans, Japanese, Chinese....
they twisted and moved like earthworm
struggled in a same muddy dirt uniform
their field was a huge swamp, in it they rolled
till they became the mud, became the swamp

in Africa millions children crying in bony shapes
their big hunger filled eyes, staring at camera and world
to me they all look the same
to their parents they are all the same
in poverty and dark shelter they are born
on dirt road they bared foot walk and run

thousands young men running in Mideast desert
their anger burns like scorching sand
it seems their desert absorbs too much sunlight
too much heat, too much thirst
their faith is burning, their mind is burning
and they suddenly explode, scattered in hot sand

little pupils bearing their school bags
their text books weight like stones
billions of them, ready to memorize every book
they are born to compete, disciplined to achieve
“no pain no gain” is their slogan, endure bitterness is their fate
they strive to grow up, to sell off their rare earth
so they won’t dig the coal dirt

Mud is filth, mud is holy
it contains memory and desires
joy, grief, and thrill
sweat, blood, and greed

it blinds us,
it enlightens us with God’s spit and tears.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Rain

Rain
Laijon Liu 20130611

I like the rain
the feel of droplets
falling on my face

early April blooms
quench their thirst
and soaked in joy

it comes with songs
composes its own melody
from spring to fall

it sings serenade
it bangs capriccio
it cries elegy

warm, cold, and wet
fresh, fragrant, and oily
this body yearns for touch

drizzle, thunder, downpour
all heaven’s cleansing
the plants tremblingly receive

No, I do not say no to rain
No, We cannot say no to rain
forecast and raincoat are not choice

I like the rain
the days I miss sunshine
the nights of quiet solitude

the world, my thoughts
and all are submerged
in a dark deluging symphony

Note:
These couple days, it rains hard. Many people don’t like the rain, but I think rain is beautiful, sensual, spiritual, and prosperous.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Remembering the young kids of June 4th

Remembering the young kids of June 4th

I always wonder who killed the young stupid kids on June 4th:

Chinese Emperors?
Chinese Commy Government?
Chinese young brainwashed order obeying peasant soldiers?
or just Chinese that have no clue of basic human rights, and respect of other's freedom of speech?

Do the dead students and their parents truly know who killed them? If my corpse fell on the stomped bikes I think I know who killed me, that killers must be uncivilized greedy Chinese officials and 'leaders' that believed violence was the final solution to guard their empire, to protect their family corrupting interest, to end reason or argument.

Culture kills; culture saves. Religion of peace must sow and reap peace. I as a Chinese every time walk into American book store hold so much admiration of US culture, columns and columns of 250 years US history books on human right and freedom; but I am very shameful and disgusted walking into a Chinese bookstore, 2000 years uninterrupted empire history books in columns, how men should be stocked and manipulated, how empire should be guarded, reign should be protected, even the greatest thinkers and heroes must serve the emperor, wisdom of Art of War and managing people skills... I don't think most authors and scribes and politicians cared much about people really, nor they cared about their own rights or freedom, they'd rather trade freedom for greed and fame. I hate Chinese history, like June 4th event, too many killing are erased; too many tragedy recorded as success, too much propaganda and lies, and the politicians and historians will never let you know they are truly left or right, because they are neither left nor right, they must shift after their own benefit according to political weather. There is only one section I like, poetry and lyric and songs, many poets did not give a crap about 'authority' the emperor or government, lived a dissident life, hiding in a remote mountain and river, feel free to praise the love of nature.

There is Rock band called Hei Bao (Black Panther), they released one of their songs (Do Not Ruin)during that year, together with Cui Jian's A Piece of Red Cloth.

The band's lyric shadows the crime, how they feel about it, also Cui Jian's song are in similar method. These two songs are great modern Chinese poems.

Do Not Ruin by Black Panther rock band

AP Photo
This is great photo, that shows how the young kids were considered and shot by the slaughters, they were never respected as human, they were just rats to them. So rats should not have human rights and freedom, rats should not make their own decision, sigh, the real rats are braver and much independent than Chinese. At least real rats don't kill each others, and they don't consider their own kind as rats.

别 去 糟 蹋
Do Not Ruin

词:窦唯 曲:李彤 演唱:黑豹
Lyric: Du Wei,
Music: Li Tong
Band: Black Panther

没有寂静的日子 寂静的夜
人们的神色显得紧张
手中紧握着枪
起伏的胸膛
眼中是绝望的目光

[there’s] no quiet days, quiet night
people looked nervous
hand firmly holding gun
chest fluctuant
eyes seeing no hope

没有欢笑的脸庞 和平的景象
战火把人们推向死亡
一切破碎的梦想
破灭的希望
人已是如此的疯狂

[there’s] no joyful face, peaceful scene
warflame pushes people to death
all becomes broken dreams
shattered hope
people are so crazy as such

别去糟蹋 他们的家
别去枪杀 那些无知的娃娃
流着泪 说不出一句话
有谁能够 去做出回答

Do not ruin, their home
Do not shoot, those innocent kids
shedding tear, can’t mumble a word
who can, go make an answer

(music)

没有安睡的地方 四处躲藏
善良的人们又能怎样
往日自己的故乡 和平的天堂
如今却是如此凄凉

[there’s] no place to rest in peace, hide all around
what the kindhearted people can do
their hometown in past, peaceful heaven
now it’s such gloomy and forlorn

放下你手中枪
睁眼去望一望
你面前是人类生存的故乡
放下你手中枪
去想一想
如果是你又会怎样 说!

put down the gun in your hand
take a look at
what before you is mankinds' living home
put down the gun in your hand
meditate for a moment
if you were them, speak!


Monday, June 3, 2013

Pitch

Pitch
Laijon Liu 20130603

sunny and green
pasture of joy

game
a moment to forget
sorrows and gravity

that moment of daring
that moment of chase
a moment of true existence

ecstasy
our body converse and kiss
feet stretch, dance of thoughts

in this realm
all revolve around the ball
and other worlds vanished

and all men the same
become one
heart longing for goal

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Sonnet 62 for Soccer

Sonnet 62 for Soccer

Sin of self-love possesseth all mine eye 
And all my soul and all my every part; 
And for this sin there is no remedy, 
It is so grounded inward in my heart. 
Methinks no face so gracious is as mine, 
No shape so true, no truth of such account; 
And for myself mine own worth do define, 
As I all other in all worths surmount. 
But when my glass shows me myself indeed, 
Beated and chopp'd with tann'd antiquity, 
Mine own self-love quite contrary I read; 
Self so self-loving were iniquity. 
   'Tis thee, myself, that for myself I praise,
   Painting my age with beauty of thy days.

Note:
there's an interesting image on my mind: an old grayhair man standing by the sideline watching some young men playing soccer at dusk. This image seems pretty stunning, poetic and iconic. Especially now I am an near middle age man, played many soccer games, I used to feel vigorous, ambitious, happy-go-lucky, hurry-shoot-score, nothing impossible, or do it anyway... pitch-pride moods on pitch, but recently I feel I am an old man, my temple hair gray, smile with sorrow-wrinkles, the distance btwn soccer pitch and me is stretching farther. So watching people playing soccer is more like an old man spiritual reflection than a boy or lad watching a match.

Men grow old, every man grows old, once a young man now standing by the sideline watching a bunch young blood fill the pitch kicking and yelling, reflection of the present moment and past, getting old is a beautiful process, when every part of this body fails to perform effectively, then mind is forced to meditate.

To love someone so deeply is love, and to love something so deeply is sin. Sin is a biblical word, literately means "Missing Target, To Miss". Especially for a man wasted his prime on the pitch, chasing soccer and goal, his boyish dream, instead of finding a woman and love or learning some career-wise stuff land a good job to take care his old parents, chasing soccer is also like obsessed for music, poetry, photo, film... even knowing that unrealistic interest would never turn to a career for food and rent,  yet still searching topic and scene to forge some meaningful art that's an imitation of real life and authentic human connection, but there's some magic in pursuing something for life. I still admire people who do not regret, because a man should chase his dream and love period
Obsession is a miracle dose for men to stay forever young :-) 

So come, my young grayhair friends, 
let's paint our age with beauty of our days!

I cannot find a perfect photo for the image on my mind that fits Shakespeare's sonnet, but the following pictures could tell some part of the poem.


Old Man Portrait with His Old Ball



Old Man Juggling Kid's Ball

Mr. Ferguson Watching His Boys Soccer Match

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Sonnet 53 for Soccer




Sonnet 53 for Soccer

What is your substance, whereof are you made,
That millions of strange shadows on you tend?
Since every one hath, every one, one shade,
And you but one, can every shadow lend.
Describe Adonis, and the counterfeit
Is poorly imitated after you;
On Helen's cheek all art of beauty set,
And you in Grecian tires are painted new: 
Speak of the spring, and foison of the year,
The one doth shadow of your beauty show,
The other as your bounty doth appear;
And you in every blessed shape we know.
   In all external grace you have some part,
   But you like none, none you, for constant heart.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Disneyland Is Good


Disneyland Is Good
Laijon Liu 20130507

Disneyland is good
They say: "Disneyland is good."
If you had been there
and found out their tickets
too expensive and parks
too crowded, would you still
bring your kids there?

I can't afford the tickets
I don't wanna wait forever
seeing long lines of people slowly move
seeing parents and their kids in stress
I wonder
our childish dream is a long road
for a few moment of high and rush,
worth it?

Click the following Poem Poster: a chubby babe looking up mickey mouse holding Earth.



Related Poem: Luxury

Friday, May 3, 2013

The Declining Glow over Grand Ave

The Declining Glow over Grand Ave

Friday, April 26, 2013

Old War Song (Tang 300 poems, #75)

Old War Song (Tang 300 poems, #75)
By Li Qi of Tang
Translated by Laijon Liu 20130426

In daylight we climb up mountain to search for beacon fires
at dark dusk our horses drink by the river crossing
travellers' hour drum swinging in dim sandy wind
princess' pipa playing a melody of parting sorrow
wild clouds ten thousand miles rolling where no cities or towns
rains and snows sweeping across the vast deserted wasteplains
Tartars wildgeese grieving caw and night by night they fly pass
Tartars young lads shed their tears and pair by pair they fall
hearing the message of our Jade Pass is under siege
our dear life on chasing chariots to answer the call
year by year soldiers' bones scattered, buried in wilderness
and we only see Tartars' grapes sending back into Han's house

Chinese:
李頎
古從軍行

白日登山望烽火, 黃昏飲馬傍交河。
行人刁斗風沙暗, 公主琵琶幽怨多。
野雲萬里無城郭, 雨雪紛紛連大漠。
胡雁哀鳴夜夜飛, 胡兒眼淚雙雙落。
聞道玉門猶被遮, 應將性命逐輕車。
年年戰骨埋荒外, 空見葡萄入漢家。

Saturday, April 20, 2013

My experimental odes


My experimental odes

I love English odes and Shakespeare sonnets, also some Elizabeth browning sonnets and others, there some similar spirit, thought flow, imagery construct to Tang poem and Song lyric poems. Especially the couplets streaming through each verse to the next that work together as whole gives such thrill to my reading experience, better and faster than film. I think many readers understand Tang poetry aesthetic construct would find some similarity in Shakespeare sonnets and English odes. I’ve done a few experiment ode style poems, some good and some fail.

Poem Date: / My Ode Title / My Rating / Note Style
2006.10.28 / What Is Poetry? / excellent / English Free Verse
2009.06.09 / An Elegant Chrysanthemum / good / English Ode
2009.10.09 / Ode To A Little Mouse / good / English Ode
2009.10.10 / Ode To Eagle / excellent / Tang Streaming Couplet
2010.03.21 / Ode To Ocean / okay / Tang Streaming Couplet
2012.01.20 / Ode To Homeless / fail / Tang Streaming Couplet
2013.12.24 / Ode to the Sunflowers / good / English Ode
2014.11.11 / Ode to Jesus / okay / English Ode

I thank God and all the dead poets bless me in heaven:) that my 2009 is one of my poetical miracle years, and 'What is Poetry?'  is a really great great poem. I pray I can pen down more and better, praise God, the poets and angels in heaven and hell bestow me more. And if I did not come to US, I would never write English poems as great as these.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

I’m a man of no country


I’m a man of no country
by Laijon Liu 2013.04.10

I’m a man of no country
this green pitch is my home
name, color and identity
ain’t no baggage for my road 

dream is a wayward roam
and boundaries bravery drawn
passport, tag and uniform
shall not separate us all

I’m a man of anonymous
common is my real name
songs and verses I’ve learned
to sing you and our fame

hope is hug and kisses
that no religion shall ban
how I wish, we were all like kids
playing a pickup game



Sunday, March 31, 2013

I Wish


I Wish
Laijon Liu 20130331

Standing on this green pitch
I envision my victory

I wish I could run
I wish I could chase
I wish my long shot pays off

forty years age, thirty years drift
somehow I kept my virginity
that’s holier than the Pope

Staring at this blank page
I pray for some good verse

I don’t wanna use flower or wine or moon
neither I care about dreams or death
I want to recollect warmth

yeah, to feel the soft breasts pressing
the familiar fragrance and breath
the things we’ll never forget

every morning I sit on the toilet
looking downward at porcelain floor

I know
the past can’t be changed
the hurting won’t linger
if I’m willing to forgive

hard years flew pass
gray hair never grows black
life will be good, the bad will pass
and they all pass

To Next 3 Stanza poem

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

50 Best Mandarin Vocal Songs (Chinese HiFi Vocal Singers) 国语美声50首


50 Best Chinese Mandarin Vocal Songs (Chinese HiFi Vocal Singers) 
国语美声50首

I love songs and music, over the years I collected some of the best songs I could find, categorized them by poetic lyric, soulful melody, music instrument arrangement and mostly mostly magnetic vocal tone and voice. I put a link of 50 Best Mandarin Songs all done by awesome Mandarin singers that my friend says: "no need to print the lyrics" because the lyric and melody fit and their pronunciation is perfect for Mandarin learners.

The music style is slow light soft haunting melody, a few quick beat, with a few instrument (Western or Chinese), so this way singers let their beautiful voice lead the melody and beat with more intense emotion, not like nowadays most pop (too loud, too noisy, too quick, bad lyric). These type of slow songs never fade away, people can listen while resting and drinking, and they truly tune to the singers, the melody and moved by the lyrics. (I also picked some English songs in the same style: Sirens with Soothing Voice and Resting Melody )

Of course I want this selection to last long, I consider these be a standard for Mandarin Vocal Song List that represents the beauty and poetry of Chinese Pop Song Art (all lyric are either ancient poems written by ancient poets or modern poems done by song writers artists, no propaganda or commie crap). Singer Teresa Teng past away 1995, others are all active from 1980 to now.

One unknown singer I cannot find her name info on my cd and web; another is from youtube, not sure she is a professional singer but she's got great talent that sings the song well. Most songs are old, done by many singers, but I have compared most of them and picked the version I like the most: poetical lyric, enticing vocal tone, good singing technique, best instrument choice and music arrangement. All the links are first picked from youtube, or other Chinese web source.
People should download the songs from youtube, because most songs are hard to find, often pulled down by youtube uploaders, I just hate to update them after a few month.

!Update! :O)

There's a list of Mandarin Divas and their hit songs of old China, era from 1920-1970, on the bottom of this page; when western Jazz big bands clashed Chinese folk early 20th century and too bad KMT lost the war 1950 and retreated to Taiwan, most the divas got out of China, and the new Red Emperor burned the great new music tradition and creation of Modern China, glad people in Taiwan and HK preserved the copies and now just make one smile listening these golden voices, I am sure Cai Qin, Teresa Deng and many singers all draw inspiration from Shanghai divas of Jazz and Folk. Great Music!

Please Scroll Down All the Way to Bottom of This Page: 

Old China Divas and Their Hit Songs





Singer: Taiwan Pop Folk Singer
鄧麗君 Teresa Teng
Songs:

月亮代表我的心

The Moon Represents My Heart
#1 Mandarin Pop Song youtube
amazon
在水一方
Beyond The River
Lyric from Ode 300: 《蒹葭》 youtube
amazon
初次嚐到寂寞
First Time Tasted Loneliness


youtube

微風細雨
Breeze and Drizzle


youtube

amazon link sung by another singer Xiao Ya
Love Story                         English                       youtube            amazon

如果没有你
If You Not By My Side                                        amazon

月夜诉情
Express Love at Moon Night                                youtube           amazon

得不到你的爱情 Love Can't Get (Jazz)         amazon

高山青
High Mountains Green(Taiwan Folk)              youtube1     youtube2        
amazon(Live, probably drunk :) Great!






Singer: Taiwan Pop & Folk Singer
蔡琴 Cai Qin
Songs:

出塞曲
Farewell Song

Youtube
amazon
爱与酒
Love and Wine

youtube
amazon
恰似你的溫柔
Just Like Your Kindness


youtube
amazon amazon2
被遺忘的時光
Forgotten Time

youtube
amazon

Boat

youtbe
秋梦
Autumn Dream

youtbe
amazon
你的眼神
Your Glance

youtube
amazon
情人山                                                  youtube
Lover's Mountain                                 amazon

得不到你的爱情 Love Can't Get (Jazz)       youtube (Historia de un Amor)

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郑绪岚

Zheng XuFeng  (1978)  Shaolin Temple Score: Shepherd Song
                                                                 Mom gives me a song
                                                                 Sunshine Island medley

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Singer: China Pop Folk Singer
童丽 Tong Li
Songs:

夜空
Night Sky
Hebrew folk Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlzFR6TSblc
月满西楼
Moon Fill West Chamber
Lyric: Song Poetess Li Qingzhao poem Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jq58ylEgks
天竺姑娘
TianZhu Girl
Guzheng & Guitar Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFIirVW9Q6M
江南
River South
Han Folk poem Link: http://www.565656.com/music/167376.htm
有誰知我此時情
Who knows My Feeling
Lyric: Song Prostitute Poetess Nie Shengqiong Link: http://www.565656.com/music/76845.htm
望春风
Longing for the Spring Breeze
composed 1930s
Lyric
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyzFmi_wKF8
葬花吟
Bury Flower Song
Lyric: Qing Poet Cao Xueqin
poem link: Dream of Red Chamber, Chp27 Last Paragraph
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUXU8Sqh7G0
叹十声
Ten Sigh

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XCcdV0Z1Gw

梦江南
Dream of River South

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teSQZSC6yZE
春光美
Spring Scenery Fair

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd1xMeZiavY
烟花三月
Misty March

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs6ZUESJuHg
渭城曲
Song at Wei City
Lyric: Tang Poet Wang Wei poem
Tang 300: #312
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiAHFKUWgwI
外面的世界
Outside World

Link: http://www.565656.com/music/147957.htm



Singer: China Pop Folk Singer
刘紫玲 Liu Ziling
Song:

古老的故事
Ancient Sotry

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUkjYPC7fgQ
花儿为什么这样红
Why Flower Thus Red

Link: killed
(But here's a Sweden Singer Sofia Källgren sings an English Version:)
the perfect redition is done by a commie troll singer, it's really beautiful, but I don't mention her name here to draw a clear line for my principal, that good songs, beautiful songs should never serve bad government.
Original Aryan Tajik Music : 古丽碧塔 Gulbita link (Original Music)
Rendition by an Uighur Chinese, more original folk feel link
再回首
Look Back Again

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHUbLUAaTJQ
兰花草
Dayflower

Link: Killed
(another good singer Shen Yan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09wMgsduGU4)
橄榄树
Olive Tree

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY5rT57nWeA
跟往事干杯
Toast to Past

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLT9Q8ctgII
大约在冬季
Maybe In Winter

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM1sd-P_sAI
吻和泪
Kiss and Tear

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzEInVxpqfE
读你
Read You

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZBMl463uPI
莫斯科郊外的晚上
Moscow Outskirt Evening
Russian Pop Folk Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgltVrBVDLY


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Singer:
苏霈 Su Pei

叹十声 Ten Sigh (Folk)     youtube old Shanghai stage style presentation
------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Singer:

Unknown

Song:

心在跳 情在烧
Heart Pumping Love Burning
Pop w/ Guzheng Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olohydJ2kUk




Singer: China Pop Singer
雷婷 Lei Ting
Song:

赤裸裸
Naked
Song by Rock Artist Zheng Jun Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx5hRloFz0k
挪威森林
Norwegian Wood
Song
       by Rock Artist Wu Bai,
Beatles & Eagles Influence
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9gkDEzWjrU 


Singer: from Youtube Source
邓妙华 original singer Maggie Theng
Song:
This song is covered by a youtube singer
踏浪
Tread Waves
composed by Xue Huaiyu Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXZgOtojjoc




Singer: China Pop Singer
王雅洁 Wang Yajie
Song:

追梦人
Dream Chaser

Link killed; Original Singer
走過咖啡屋
Pass by Coffee House

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBO0T3q05CI




Singer: HK Pop Folk Singer
徐小凤 Xue Xiaofeng
Song:

心恋
Heart Longs

Link: http://www.565656.com/music/27262.htm




Singer: China Pop Singer
陶轔竹 Tao Lizu
Songs:

白樺林
White Birch Woods
Song by Rock Artist Pu Shu
Original Singer
Link: http://www.565656.com/ting/280877.htm
那些花兒
Those Flowers
Song by Rock Artist Pu Shu Link: http://www.565656.com/ting/280881.htm





Singer: Singapore HiFi Singer
徐雯 Xu Wen
Songs:

別亦難
Difficult to Part
Lyric: Tang Poet Li Shangyin, Tang 300: #215 Link: http://www.565656.com/ting/297354.htm
幾多愁
How Much Sorrow
Lyric: Tang Poet Li Yu poem title link
Li Yu: to the tune "Lady Yu"
Link: http://www.565656.com/ting/297350.htm
但願人長久
Wish We Are Forever
Lyric: Song Poet Su Shi poem link Link: http://www.565656.com/ting/297348.htm
獨上西樓
Autumn Sentiments
Lyric: Tang Poet Li Yu poem

Link: http://www.565656.com/ting/297346.htm





Singer: China Pop Singer
孙启燕 Sun Qiyan
Songs:

都是夜归人
All Are Night Returners

Link:
http://www.565656.com/ting/276559.htm
别问我是谁
Don't Ask (me) Who I Am

Link: http://www.565656.com/ting/276564.htm

听海的歌

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6GM7nsPko0





Singer: China Pop Folk Singer
古璇 Gu Xuan
Songs:

你怎麼捨得我難過

lyric Link: http://www.tudou.com/listplay/aEkVOr90CIs/3QOZ-YR4rQI.html
长亭外 Melody from American song writer: John Pond Ordway's Dreaming of Home and Mother
lyric
Link: http://www.56.com/u50/v_NjI0OTIzNTk.html





Singer: Rock Singer
轮回乐队 Again Band
Song:

期待
Expect
Again Band Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VstikiErj8





Singer: China Pop Singer
任月麗 Ren Yueli
Song:

天使的翅膀
Angel's Wings

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztnlridrYFI


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Divas from 1920 – 1970 Oldies


Bai Hong 白虹
Farewell Shasha amazon 莎莎再会吧《孤岛春秋》插曲
Dawning of the Spring amazon 春天的降临
Listen Up amazon 听我说

Zhou Xuan 周璇
Wandering Songstress amazon 天涯歌女
Night Life In Shanghai amazon 夜上海
Blooming Flowers and the Full Moon amazon 花好月圆

Bai Guang 白光
Waiting for you amazon 等着你回来

Wu Yingyin 吳鶯音
Moon Messenger or The Bright Moon Will Bring My Love To You amazon 明月千里
My love memory youtube 我有一段情

Chang Loo 張露
Little Wooden Horse amazon 小木马
Watermelon Heart (English) amazon

Tsin Ting 靜婷
Xi Wang Zai Ming Tian amazon Hope Tomorrow希望在明天
Wo De Xin Li Mei You Ta My Heart Loves No other Man***** amazon 我的心里没有他
Shang Shan Gang amazon 上山岗

Yao Lee 姚莉
Love Can't Get ***** amazon 得不到你的爱情
Life Is Stage Act youtube人生就是戏
Song of Forest youtube森林之歌
Night Returner*****  youtube夜归人
Return Road 归路
Love Start amazon 爱的开始
Rose Rose I Love You *****youtube Mandarin & English

Li Li-hwa 李麗華
Four New Seasons youtube 新四季歌
Hundred Birds 百鸟朝凤 youtube amazon

Li Xianglan 李香蘭
Mei Hua (Plum Blossom)***** 梅花 youtube amazon
Ye Lai Xiang Night Comes Fragrant youtube 夜来香

Poon Sow-keng 潘秀瓊
Lover’s Tear ****** youtube 情人的眼泪
Bali Island ****** youtube 巴里岛
Love of Suoluo River ***** youtube梭羅河之戀

Rebecca Pan 潘迪華
I wait for you (English ) youtube

Mona Fong 方逸華
花月佳期 English youtube
Three Years youtube三年
Blue and Black youtube 蓝与黑

Tsui Ping 崔萍
Nan Ping Evening Bell youtube 南屏晚鐘

Grace Chang 葛蘭
I want you amazon 我要你

Julie Yeh or Yeh Feng 葉楓
Evening Clouds youtube 晚霞

Deng Xiaoping 鄧小萍
Can’t Forget You youtube 忘不了你

Ouyang Feiying 歐陽飛鶯
Shangri-La youtube amazon

Carrie Koo Mei 顧媚
Lovesick River Bank youtube 相思河畔

Billie Tam 蓓蕾
Be Happy Tonight youtube 欢乐今宵

Deng Baiying 鄧白英
There is him in my dream youtube 我的夢裡有個他

Yi Min 逸敏
Wish I weren't married youtube 恨不相逢未嫁時