Wedding laments · 哭嫁歌词

Kujia Song Cycle (Part 2)哭嫁歌(第二部分)

Draft spelling, original archive transcription, English and Chinese translations, and line-by-line audio.

Full recording · 整段录音
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Tian Xintao, Daba Township, Yongshun County · recorded on 05 August 2002永顺县大坝乡田心桃女士 · 记录日期 05 八月 2002

5.2.1: The Bride Sings to her Sisters5.2.1: 姐妹对哭

The songs on this page make up the second half of a cycle of kujia songs, begun on the previous page.

(播放整段)哭嫁歌词: 哭嫁歌(第二部分)

DraftQiefxix gaf caf hif niex mir, afdax axmix ongr caf davpir-duor; cengrzir gaf caf tafpav xiev, afdax axmix ongr caf bef pir-bor-xif.

SourceQie2xi1 ga2 ca2 hi2 nie1 mi3, a2da1 a1mi1 ong3 ca2 da4pi3-duo3; ceng3zi3 ga2 ca2 ta2pa4 xie4, a2da1 a1mi1 ong3 ca2 be2 pi3-bo3-xi2.

ENIt's good to eat the twelve segments of an orange, It's good to be with your sisters, but one day you must separate; It's good to eat a pomelo, but you must discard the peel, It's good to be with your sisters, but one day you will be separated.

ZH柑子好吃十二瓣,姊妹好坐要分散;柚子好吃要剥皮,姊妹好坐要分离。

DraftAngfnix marmax-diex luov laf hur davzer, laxsirlaxniex bef pier-taxtix; dixgar safqix seftax xir, caf-nier afdax axmix engrjiur-diuf.

SourceAng2ni1 ma3ma1-die1 luo4 la2 hu3 da4ze3, la1si3la1nie1 be2 pie3-ta1ti1; di1ga3 sa2qi1 se2ta1 xi3, ca2-nie3 a2da1 a1mi1 eng3jiu3-diu2.

ENWe sisters are as one, Always inseparable; Once we combed our hair to the side, All of us sisters are gathering together.

ZH我们姊妹同呼吸,时时刻刻都不离;昔日头发二面排,好姊好妹排拢来。

DraftLeiv niev safqix garhaf xir, caf-nier afdax axmix qingrnief pox; ngaf qingrmox nif pox-diexxir, dief-bor dief-bor buxcer zuf.

SourceLei4 nie4 sa2qi1 ga3ha2 xi3, ca2-nie3 a2da1 a1mi1 qing3nie2 po1; nga2 qing3mo1 ni2 po1-die1xi3, die2-bo3 die2-bo3 bu1ce3 zu2.

ENNow our hair is combed on top, One by one my good friends have got married; How can I let you go, The more I think of it, the more my tears flow.

ZH今日头发往上梳,好姊好妹往后丢;叫我怎能舍得你,越思越想越悲泣。

DraftAfdax axmix meflaxongr davzer, refsuv ref-jif yifxix zaor; meflaxongr mef garhaf suv, taxniex bav angf-nier luoxyoux-nier luov yir-daf.

SourceA2da1 a1mi1 me2la1ong3 da4ze3, re2su4 re2-ji2 yi2xi1 zao3; me2la1ong3 me2 ga3ha2 su4, ta1nie1 ba4 ang2-nie3 luo1you1-nie3 luo4 yi3-da2.

ENMy sisters are like a cloud, Blown along by the wind never to return; The cloud drifts in the sky above, Looking back, our villagers are no longer in sight.

ZH姊妹好比一朵云,狂风吹散永难集;白云吹在蓝天上,回头不见本寨人。

Tian Xintao, Daba Township, Yongshun County · recorded on 05 August 2002永顺县大坝乡田心桃女士 · 记录日期 05 八月 2002

5.2.2: The Bride Sings to her Eldest Brother5.2.2: 哭哥哥

DraftMef garhaf xivbuflix rir hiv-jif-tax, axguox axmix leiv pier-bor zuf; axmix leiv cuovzuv-duor, cuov-nier arbax axnier longv-taxtix.

SourceMe2 ga3ha2 xi4bu2li1 ri3 hi4-ji2-ta1, a1guo1 a1mi1 lei4 pie3-bo3 zu2; a1mi1 lei4 cuo4zu4-duo3, cuo4-nie3 a3ba1 a1nie3 long4-ta1ti1.

ENThe stars in the sky cannot be counted, Today my brother must part with his sister; Little sister must be married today, She can no longer look after her parents.

ZH天上星多数不清,兄妹今朝要分离;小妹今日要出嫁,不能在家孝父母。

DraftCuov-nier arbax axnier nif longv-bor-duor, duvjirjir-nier sar nif kev-bor-duor; arbax axnier darbiex niev-bor-duor, qingrnief-diex arbax axnier longv-bor caf-duor.

SourceCuo4-nie3 a3ba1 a1nie3 ni2 long4-bo3-duo3, du4ji3ji3-nie3 sa3 ni2 ke4-bo3-duo3; a3ba1 a1nie3 da3bie1 nie4-bo3-duo3, qing3nie2-die1 a3ba1 a1nie3 long4-bo3 ca2-duo3.

ENYou must care for our father and mother, This heavy burden now falls to you; Smile before your father and mother, Children must look after their parents well.

ZH堂上父母你孝敬,千斤担子落你身;父母眼前要和气,子女应报养育恩。

DraftArkuov angxngaiv davxiv-duor, arbax axnier tav kefjix.

SourceA3kuo4 ang1ngai4 da4xi4-duo3, a3ba1 a1nie3 ta4 ke2ji1.

ENBrothers must help one another, Lest their parents should taste bitter days.

ZH兄弟之间要和气,免得父母操苦心。

Tian Xintao, Daba Township, Yongshun County · recorded on 05 August 2002永顺县大坝乡田心桃女士 · 记录日期 05 八月 2002

5.2.3: The Bride Sings to her Sister-in-law5.2.3: 哭嫂嫂

DraftMef garhaf mefzer lav hhif-taxtix, marmax carqif ongr caf pier-lier-duor; axmix cer garhaf tar-xif davyefzer, ongf qiv luovdiex cuov-bor hhif.

SourceMe2 ga3ha2 me2ze3 la4 hhi2-ta1ti1, ma3ma1 ca3qi2 ong3 ca2 pie3-lie3-duo3; a1mi1 ce3 ga3ha2 ta3-xi2 da4ye2ze3, ong2 qi4 luo4die1 cuo4-bo3 hhi2.

ENThe rain cannot find a path through the heavens, Though I sit with you, sister-in-law, we must part; I am like a floating weed, Grown up, I float to another's house.

ZH天上下雨路难行,姑嫂好坐要分离;妹妹好比浮萍草,长大漂到别人家。

DraftAxmix karmongr laf zif davyefzer, carqif karmongr souf axmix kaxpux souf; kaxpux jingfzix woftux ongf-bor yir, buflix jif-bor luovbax-diex cuov biexlir.

SourceA1mi1 ka3mong3 la2 zi2 da4ye2ze3, ca3qi2 ka3mong3 sou2 a1mi1 ka1pu1 sou2; ka1pu1 jing2zi1 wo2tu1 ong2-bo3 yi3, bu2li1 ji2-bo3 luo4ba1-die1 cuo4 bie1li3.

ENI am like a tree, Sister-in-law is a tree and I am the flowers; I see the flowers bud in the mirror, Ripe fruits fall in another's home.

ZH妹妹好比树一根,嫂是树来妹是花;只见花在镜中长,硕果落在婆婆家。

DraftCarqif ngaf dief-bor rix-bor rirdifrirgaf, ngaf bor a zef, cerkux cev, kaxpux rix, carqif nif arbax axnier longv caf-duor.

SourceCa3qi2 nga2 die2-bo3 ri1-bo3 ri3di2ri3ga2, nga2 bo3 a ze2, ce3ku1 ce4, ka1pu1 ri1, ca3qi2 ni2 a3ba1 a1nie3 long4 ca2-duo3.

ENSister-in-law has remembered me and cared for me, Taught me to twist hemp and embroider, Sister-in-law, you must look after your parents.

ZH感谢嫂嫂操心大,教我结麻又绣花,切望嫂嫂孝敬好。

Tian Xintao, Daba Township, Yongshun County · recorded on 05 August 2002永顺县大坝乡田心桃女士 · 记录日期 05 八月 2002

5.2.4: The Bride Sings when her Hair is Combed5.2.4: 哭梳头

DraftDixgax nierqix lixkuoxlix caf, ngaf bor safqix hheflax tif, nievlixnievgaf nievkax caf.

SourceDi1ga1 nie3qi1 li1kuo1li1 ca2, nga2 bo3 sa2qi1 hhe2la1 ti2, nie4li1nie4ga2 nie4ka1 ca2.

ENAunt, once you were a mother to me, You helped me fasten my hair, We were always so happy.

ZH昔日伯母慈母心,把我头发扎辫子,高高兴兴过日子。

DraftLeiv nierqix lixkuoxlix caf-daf, ngaf bor safqix suox pax xir; luofbux xifgav piev mor davzer-daf, buxcer xifgav piev mor davzer taif.

SourceLei4 nie3qi1 li1kuo1li1 ca2-da2, nga2 bo3 sa2qi1 suo1 pa1 xi3; luo2bu1 xi2ga4 pie4 mo3 da4ze3-da2, bu1ce3 xi2ga4 pie4 mo3 da4ze3 tai2.

ENWhy are you hard-hearted to me today, Dividing my hair into three; Plucking my eyebrows; I no longer look the same, With eyebrows plucked, I am a different person.

ZH今日伯母好狠心,把我头发三把梳;扯了眉毛改了样,扯了汗毛改了相。

DraftQingrnief luovdiex-nier piif rix-duor, laf niex laf niex luovdiex duor luor, gairdix niev qingrmox kax!

SourceQing3nie2 luo4die1-nie3 pii2 ri1-duo3, la2 nie1 la2 nie1 luo4die1 duo3 luo3, gai3di1 nie4 qing3mo1 ka1!

ENFrom now on I am a daughter in another household, Scolded by others day after day, How can I live through such days!

ZH从今变成下贱女,日日夜夜受人欺,这个日子怎么过!

Tian Xintao, Daba Township, Yongshun County · recorded on 05 August 2002永顺县大坝乡田心桃女士 · 记录日期 05 八月 2002

5.2.5: The Bride Sings when Adorned with Flowers5.2.5: 哭戴花

DraftJir laf rux yercuor darbiex kiv-bor, laofjix zaovguxdiex biuf sixlix cuovzuv; sifsixdaifdaix cuov-nier caf, qingxxianx mianxjiex tievtier jiaflixjiaf.

SourceJi3 la2 ru1 ye3cuo3 da3bie1 ki4-bo3, lao2ji1 zao4gu1die1 biu2 si1li1 cuo4zu4; si2si1dai2dai1 cuo4-nie3 ca2, qing1xian1 mian1jie1 tie4tie3 jia2li1jia2.

ENKneeling before the shrine, Tomorrow morning to be married far away; May my family prosper forever; Sweet incense and red lamps shining.

ZH双脚跪在神堂前,明早小女嫁远方;世世代代家兴旺,清香红烛亮堂堂。

DraftGafmex-diex biuf bor longv-nier afyix-diex dief-bor-duor, jiefrix sar rix gafmex-nier afyix; gafmex-diex ngaf bor rix, caif rix-duor, ngaf cuov luovbax-diex cuov yifxix caf-duor.

SourceGa2me1-die1 biu2 bo3 long4-nie3 a2yi1-die1 die2-bo3-duo3, jie2ri1 sa3 ri1 ga2me1-nie3 a2yi1; ga2me1-die1 nga2 bo3 ri1, cai2 ri1-duo3, nga2 cuo4 luo4ba1-die1 cuo4 yi2xi1 ca2-duo3.

ENDaughters must remember their elders' words, Labouring according to the precepts of their ancestors; May my ancestors bless and protect me, May my husband's family prosper.

ZH小女不忘祖宗育,勤劳垦种祖先传;祝愿祖先保佑我,娘家婆家都兴旺。

Tian Xintao, Daba Township, Yongshun County · recorded on 05 August 2002永顺县大坝乡田心桃女士 · 记录日期 05 八月 2002

5.2.6: The Bride Sings when Putting on Special Clothes5.2.6: 哭穿露水衣

DraftLeiv suoxcer xixbax daf-taxtix, luovdiex laf cuov luor-taxtix; suoxcer jierlongx daf-taxtix, daf-jif luovbax parpux biev.

SourceLei4 suo1ce3 xi1ba1 da2-ta1ti1, luo4die1 la2 cuo4 luo3-ta1ti1; suo1ce3 jie3long1 da2-ta1ti1, da2-ji2 luo4ba1 pa3pu1 bie4.

ENToday I cannot wear my special clothes, Cannot bear to be scolded in another household; I cannot wear my special skirt, Wearing them, I shall leave the menfolk of my home.

ZH今朝不穿露水衣,不受人家老少欺;露水裙子穿不得,穿了离爹又离爷。

DraftLuorpangx jingfzix keiryix keiryix-taxtix, caf-nier afdax axmix pox-taxtix; suoxcer jiefzux diev-taxtix, arkuov carqif biev-taxtix.

SourceLuo3pang1 jing2zi1 kei3yi1 kei3yi1-ta1ti1, ca2-nie3 a2da1 a1mi1 po1-ta1ti1; suo1ce3 jie2zu1 die4-ta1ti1, a3kuo4 ca3qi2 bie4-ta1ti1.

ENI can no longer hang my oval mirror, Nor abandon my good sisters; I cannot wear my special headscarf, Cannot leave my brother and his wife.

ZH罗盘镜子挂不得,好姊好妹舍不得;露水帕子搭不得,哥哥嫂子离不得。

Tian Xintao, Daba Township, Yongshun County · recorded on 05 August 2002永顺县大坝乡田心桃女士 · 记录日期 05 八月 2002

5.2.7: The Bride Sings when the Doorway is Blocked5.2.7: 哭拦门

DraftSixlix wuf laov engrqief, angf cuov engrqief kaxtaxbuf; sixlix havlier laov engrqief, angf cuov engrqief sar zef-tax.

SourceSi1li1 wu2 lao4 eng3qie2, ang2 cuo4 eng3qie2 ka1ta1bu2; si1li1 ha4lie3 lao4 eng3qie2, ang2 cuo4 eng3qie2 sa3 ze2-ta1.

ENAn ox comes from afar, Comes to our house to kowtow; A dog comes from far away, Comes to our house, but does not bark.

ZH远方来了一只牛,走到我家磕响头;远方来了一只狗,走到我家不开口。

Tian Xintao, Daba Township, Yongshun County · recorded on 05 August 2002永顺县大坝乡田心桃女士 · 记录日期 05 八月 2002

5.2.8: The Bride Sings when Mounting the Sedan Chair5.2.8: 哭上轿

DraftArkuov a! arkuov a! qingrmox lixkuoxlix hangflar taif, leiv axmix wov-bor mor mivtangr tuf.

SourceA3kuo4 a! a3kuo4 a! qing3mo1 li1kuo1li1 hang2la3 tai2, lei4 a1mi1 wo4-bo3 mo3 mi4tang3 tu2.

ENMy brother! My brother! Why are you so hard-hearted? Bearing me today and plunging me into the fiery pit.

ZH哥哥呀!哥哥呀!为何这样下狠心,今日背妹下火坑。

DraftSeftax laxmingr tongf, muvnier puftax xingfgaxdier, ngaf jier-nier zuovnir-diex; darbiex laxmingr tongf, muvnier puftax wanrgaxdier, ngaf luovdiex-nier arbax axnier jier.

SourceSe2ta1 la1ming3 tong2, mu4nie3 pu2ta1 xing2ga1die3, nga2 jie3-nie3 zuo4ni3-die1; da3bie1 la1ming3 tong2, mu4nie3 pu2ta1 wan3ga1die3, nga2 luo4die1-nie3 a3ba1 a1nie3 jie3.

ENOpening the side-door, the bamboo leaves are green, I call out to my own family; Opening the front door, the bamboo leaves are yellow, I call the parents from another family.

ZH打开后门竹叶青,我口喊的是亲人;打开前门竹叶黄,我喊人家爹和娘。

DraftWov-bor mor arsar garhaf pox, ngaf nifbix davzer mef woftux raf; wov-bor mor hurpaof woftux pox, songf bif laf zif gercif caf.

SourceWo4-bo3 mo3 a3sa3 ga3ha2 po1, nga2 ni2bi1 da4ze3 me2 wo2tu1 ra2; wo4-bo3 mo3 hu3pao2 wo2tu1 po1, song2 bi2 la2 zi2 ge3ci2 ca2.

ENBear me away and leave me on a cliff-top, Let me fly high in the sky like a bird; Carry me away to the river, Like a fish, to live in freedom.

ZH把我背到岩坎上,变只小鸟满天飞;把我背到大河里,变只鱼儿真自由。

DraftNgaf kuxliex garhaf af kuxzav bav, hurpaof af cer ongf geix qiv; gav longx gav six songxkuox-diuf, arbax axnier pox dief-nier sar ngaf lax zef.

SourceNga2 ku1lie1 ga3ha2 a2 ku1za4 ba4, hu3pao2 a2 ce3 ong2 gei1 qi4; ga4 long1 ga4 si1 song1kuo1-diu2, a3ba1 a1nie3 po1 die2-nie3 sa3 nga2 la1 ze2.

ENI climb the hills, but all I see are peaks, I cross the river, but meet only tall waves; How many years and months before I return, To listen to what my parents have to tell me.

ZH过山只见高山顶,过河只见浪涛天;哪年哪月才回家,再对爹娘诉衷情。

Recordings and original transcriptions © 2004 Liao Qiaojing and Paul Brassett. Reproduced with permission.