To The Tune of Shui Diao Ge Tou

How long will the full moon appear?

Wine cup in hand, I ask the sky.

I do not know what time of year

It could be tonight in the palace on high.

Riding the wind, there I would fly,

Yet I'm afraid the crystalline palace would be too high and cold for me

I rise and dance, with my shadow I play.

On high as on earth, would it be as gay?

The moon goes round the mansions red

Through gauze-draped windows to shed

Her light upon the sleepless bed.

Against man she should have no spite.

Why then when people part, is she oft full and bright?

Men have sorrow and joy; they part or meet again;

The moon is bright or dim and she may wax or wane.

There has been nothing perfect since the olden days.

So let us wish that man will live long as he can!

Though miles apart, we'll share the beauty she displays.

By Su Shi of the Northern Song Dynasty(AD 960-1127)

Su Shi (simplified Chinese: 苏轼; traditional Chinese: 蘇軾; pinyin: Sū Shì) (January 8, 1037 – August 24, 1101) was a writer, poet, artist, calligrapher, pharmacologist, and statesman of the Northern Song Dynasty, and one of the major poets of the Northern Song era. He is often referred to as Su Dongpo (苏东坡). Besides his renowned poetry, his other existent writings are of great value in the understanding of 11th century Chinese travel literature as well as details of the 11th century Chinese iron industry.