See how the Yellow River's waters move out of heaven.
Entering the ocean, never to return.
See how lovely locks in bright mirrors in high chambers,
Though silken-black at morning, have changed by night to snow.
...Oh, let a man of spirit venture where he pleases
And never tip his golden cup empty toward the moon!
Since heaven gave the talent, let it be employed!
Spin a thousand pieces of silver, all of them come back!
Cook a sheep, kill a cow, whet the appetite,
And make me, of three hundred bowls, one long drink!
...To the old master, Ts'en,
And the young scholar, Tan-ch'iu,
Bring in the wine!
Let your cups never rest!
Let me sing you a song!
Let your ears attend!
What are bell and drum, rare dishes and treasure?
Let me be forever drunk and never come to reason!
Sober men of olden days and sages are forgotten,
And only the great drinkers are famous for all time.
...Prince Ch'en paid at a banquet in the Palace of Perfection
Ten thousand coins for a cask of wine, with many a laugh and quip.
Why say, my host, that your money is gone?
Go and buy wine and we'll drink it together!
My flower-dappled horse,
My furs worth a thousand,
Hand them to the boy to exchange for good wine,
And we'll drown away the woes of ten thousand generations!
Original Poem
「将进酒」
李白
君不见黄河之水天上来，奔流到海不复回。
君不见高堂明镜悲白发，朝如青丝暮成雪。
人生得意须尽欢，莫使金樽空对月。
天生我材必有用，千金散尽还复来。
烹羊宰牛且为乐，会须一饮三百杯。
岑夫子，丹丘生，将进酒，杯莫停。
与君歌一曲，请君为我倾耳听。
钟鼓馔玉不足贵，但愿长醉不复醒。
古来圣贤皆寂寞，惟有饮者留其名。
陈王昔时宴平乐，斗酒十千恣欢谑。
主人何为言少钱，径须沽取对君酌。
五花马、千金裘，呼儿将出换美酒，与尔同销万古愁。
Interpretation
This poem was composed in 752 AD, during the 11th year of the Tianbao era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Li Bai, while drinking with his friends Yuan Danqiu and Cen Zhengjun on Mount Song, lamented the passage of time and his lack of achievement. Borrowing the old yuefu title Qiang Jin Jiu (Bring in the Wine), he expressed his bold emotions. The poet's unrestrained drinking and singing reveal his free-spirited personality while also conveying his frustration and helplessness at being unrecognized for his talents.
First Couplet: “君不见黄河之水天上来，奔流到海不复回。”
Jūn bù jiàn huáng hé zhī shuǐ tiān shàng lái, bēn liú dào hǎi bù fù huí.
Have you not seen the waters of the Yellow River, surging from the heavens, flowing to the sea and never returning?
The poem opens with a majestic image, illustrating the irreversible passage of time and metaphorically reflecting the brevity of life, creating a grand and imposing atmosphere.
Second Couplet: “君不见高堂明镜悲白发，朝如青丝暮成雪。”
Jūn bù jiàn gāo táng míng jìng bēi bái fà, zhāo rú qīng sī mù chéng xuě.
Have you not seen, in the bright mirror of the high hall, the sorrow of white hair, black in the morning but snow by evening?
This couplet uses vivid imagery to depict the swift passage of life, emphasizing the helplessness and sorrow of fleeting time.
Third Couplet: “人生得意须尽欢，莫使金樽空对月。”
Rén shēng dé yì xū jìn huān, mò shǐ jīn zūn kōng duì yuè.
When life brings joy, we must seize it; do not let the golden cup sit empty under the moon.
Shifting from lament to boldness, the poet advocates for living in the moment, showcasing Li Bai's carefree side.
Fourth Couplet: “天生我材必有用，千金散尽还复来。”
Tiān shēng wǒ cái bì yǒu yòng, qiān jīn sàn jìn hái fù lái.
Heaven has bestowed me with talent, and it will surely be of use. Even if I spend a fortune, it will return.
The poet expresses confidence in his abilities while also displaying a free-spirited attitude toward wealth.
Fifth Couplet: “烹羊宰牛且为乐，会须一饮三百杯。”
Pēng yáng zǎi niú qiě wéi lè, huì xū yī yǐn sān bǎi bēi.
Let us cook lamb and slaughter oxen for joy; we must drink three hundred cups in one sitting!
With extreme exaggeration, the poet enhances the boldness of the feast, highlighting his unrestrained style.
Sixth Couplet: “岑夫子，丹丘生，将进酒，杯莫停。”
Cén fū zǐ, dān qiū shēng, qiāng jìn jiǔ, bēi mò tíng.
Master Cen, Danqiu, bring in the wine; do not stop the cups!
The poet names his drinking companions, creating a lively banquet atmosphere and showcasing his unrestrained personality.
Seventh Couplet: “与君歌一曲，请君为我倾耳听。”
Yǔ jūn gē yī qǔ, qǐng jūn wèi wǒ qīng ěr tīng.
Let me sing a song for you; please lend me your ears.
This line pushes the poem's emotion to its peak, expressing the poet's boundless boldness after drinking.
Eighth Couplet: “钟鼓馔玉不足贵，但愿长醉不复醒。”
Zhōng gǔ zhuàn yù bù zú guì, dàn yuàn cháng zuì bù fù xǐng.
The luxury of bells, drums, and fine food is not precious; I only wish to stay drunk and never wake.
The poet dismisses the opulence of the elite and seeks solace in wine, hinting at his disillusionment with reality.
Ninth Couplet: “古来圣贤皆寂寞，惟有饮者留其名。”
Gǔ lái shèng xián jiē jì mò, wéi yǒu yǐn zhě liú qí míng.
Since ancient times, sages have been lonely; only drinkers leave their names behind.
With exaggerated language, the poet belittles sages and elevates drinkers, reflecting his dissatisfaction with reality and his escape into wine.
Tenth Couplet: “陈王昔时宴平乐，斗酒十千恣欢谑。”
Chén wáng xī shí yàn píng lè, dǒu jiǔ shí qiān zì huān xuè.
In the past, Prince Chen hosted feasts at Pingle, indulging in wine worth ten thousand per cup.
The poet uses the allusion of Cao Zhi's bold drinking to further emphasize his own admiration for unrestrained revelry.
Eleventh Couplet: “主人何为言少钱，径须沽取对君酌。”
Zhǔ rén hé wèi yán shǎo qián, jìng xū gū qǔ duì jūn zhuó.
Host, why speak of lacking money? Just buy wine and drink with me.
The poet's open-minded attitude toward money reinforces the theme of living in the moment.
Twelfth Couplet: “五花马、千金裘，呼儿将出换美酒，与尔同销万古愁。”
Wǔ huā mǎ, qiān jīn qiú, hū ér jiāng chū huàn měi jiǔ, yǔ ěr tóng xiāo wàn gǔ chóu.
The dappled horse, the fur coat worth a fortune—call the servant to trade them for fine wine, and let us drown our eternal sorrows together!
With ultimate exaggeration, the poet expresses his admiration for wine, blending boldness with profound sorrow and revealing the poem's central theme.
Overall Appreciation
Qiang Jin Jiu uses striking language to showcase Li Bai's bold and unrestrained personality and his dissatisfaction with reality. The poem begins with natural imagery to reflect on the fleeting nature of life, then shifts to advocating for living in the moment and expressing confidence in his talents. Amid the depiction of the wild feast, the poet reveals both his carefree side and his frustration at his unfulfilled political ambitions. The poem's rhythm is lively, its rhymes resonant, and its momentum grand. It builds layer by layer, elevating the emotions until reaching the climax in "let us drown our eternal sorrows together," leaving readers with endless reflection.
Writing Characteristics
- Bold and Unrestrained Style: The poem is grand and emotionally intense, with strong appeal.
- Exaggeration and Imagination: Lines like "we must drink three hundred cups in one sitting" and "trade the dappled horse and fur coat for fine wine" use extreme exaggeration to enhance the poem's boldness.
- Natural and Apt Allusions: The allusion of Cao Zhi's feast at Pingle resonates with the poet's own situation, strengthening the emotional expression.
- Dynamic Rhythm: The poem shifts between sorrow, boldness, indignation, and boldness again, creating a layered release of emotion.
Insights
Qiang Jin Jiu is not just a bold drinking poem but also a profound reflection on life. Li Bai expresses the idea that "life is short, so we must seize joy," while also revealing his frustration at being unrecognized for his talents. This seemingly carefree attitude hides his resentment at his political setbacks and his sorrow over his shattered dreams. The poem's unrestrained passion and profound melancholy intertwine, showcasing the contradictions in the poet's personality: bold and unrestrained yet unrecognized; confident and flamboyant yet resentful and sorrowful. This poem not only allows us to feel Li Bai's bold aspirations but also invites us to reflect on the meaning of life. As the poet says, "Heaven has bestowed me with talent, and it will surely be of use." No matter the circumstances, we should remain true to ourselves and cherish the present.
Poem translator
Kiang Kanghu
About the poet
Li Bai (李白), 701 - 762 A.D., whose ancestral home was in Gansu, was preceded by Li Guang, a general of the Han Dynasty. Tang poetry is one of the brightest constellations in the history of Chinese literature, and one of the brightest stars is Li Bai.
