《临江仙·滚滚长江东逝水》明·杨慎 To the tune of Lín Jiāng Xiān by Yang Shen [Ming Dynasty]

Original Text

滚滚长江东逝水,浪花淘尽英雄。是非成败转头空。青山依旧在,几度夕阳红。
白发渔樵江渚上,惯看秋月春风。一壶浊酒喜相逢。古今多少事,都付笑谈中。

This poem was used as the opening lines of the Ming dynasty Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, adapted for TV in 1994. The theme song for the TV series used Yang Shen’s lines as lyrics.

Annotated

I have rendered this character-by-character annotation from personal knowledge. If you see any mistakes, please comment or contact.

Translation

Translation by Moss Roberts, from Three kingdoms : a historical novel 
On and on the Great River rolls, racing east.
Of proud and gallant heroes its white-tops leave no trace,
As right and wrong, pride and fall turn all at once unreal.
Yet ever the green hills stay
To blaze in the west-waning day.
Fishers and woodmen comb the river isles.
White-crowned, they’ve seen enough of spring and autumn tide
To make good company over the wine jar,
Where many a famed event
Provides their merriment.

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