陌上花(三首) 苏轼

游九仙山，闻里中儿歌《陌上花》，父老云：吴越玉妃每岁春必归临安，王以书遗妃，曰“陌上花开，可缓缓归矣”。吴人用其语为歌，含思宛转，听之凄然。而其词鄙野，为易之云：一陌上花开蝴蝶飞，江山犹是昔人非。遗民几度垂垂老，游女长歌缓缓归。二陌上山花无数开，路人争看翠軿来。若为留得堂堂去，且更从教缓缓回。三生前富贵草头露，身后风流陌上花。已作迟迟君去鲁，犹教缓缓妾还家。

Three verses for Flowers on the Roadside (literal translation)

While visiting Jiuxian Mountain, I heard a children’s song, “Flowers on the Roadside.” The elders recounted the story of the concubine of the king of Wuyue, who would return to Lin’an every spring. The king left her a letter, saying, "Flowers on the roadside are blooming, so you can take your time returning." The people of Wu adapted this line into a song, a sentimental and melodious song that is poignant to listen to. The lyrics, however, are vulgar and unsophisticated, so I’ve revised them here: 1 Flowers bloom on the roadside, butterflies flutter, yet the landscape remains the same as it once was. The remaining people have grown old, while the wandering girls sing their long songs as they return slowly. 2 Countless mountain flowers bloom on the roadside, and passersby vie to see the green carriages approach. If you want to leave with dignity, please follow your instructions and return slowly. 3 In life, wealth and splendor were like dew on the grass; after death, elegance and grace are like flowers on the roadside. You have already left Lu slowly, yet you still ask me to return home slowly.