Tune: Charm of a Maiden Singer�Farewell to a Friend at Post House Wen Tianxiang The water’s boundless like the skies, But favourable wind won’t rise, To our regret, to help our heroes on the earth. The cuckoo cries ’Mid Southern flowers in setting sun. How could I bear to see the ruined town o’errun By the Tartarian foe! The captives have no mirth, E’en golden statues that should hear The story would drop tear on tear. Who would not strike a vengeful blow? The sword once shed a vengeful light, But, swordsman beaten, when would it again shine bright? Who would believe, confiding our lives to a boat, Together we could keep afloat On river and on sea, Sailing southward for miles then at last we were free! We made our plan with our allies To wait with drunken eyes For waves and clouds dark to appear And disappear. Against the chieftain of the foe, I would fight in weal and in woe. Wrath sets my hair on end And it will never die. Sleepless at night, you would only have for friend The lonely moon on the River Qinhuai. Wen Tianxiang (1236—1282) passed the civil service examinations with the highest honour in 1256 and was appointed prime minister in the court of Song Dynasty.