苏轼:江城子
Su Shi (1037-1101) to the tune "Rivertown man"

十年生死两茫茫,不思量,自难忘。
The year yimao, 1st month, 20th day: recording a dream I had last night Ten years - dead and living dim and drew apart. I don't try to remember but forgetting is hard.

千里孤坟,无处凄凉。
Lonely grave a thousand miles off, cold thoughts - where can I talk them out?

纵使相逢应不识,尘满面,鬓如霜。
Even if we met you wouldn't know me, dust on my face, hair like frost -

夜来幽梦忽还乡,小轩窗,正梳妆。
In a dream last night suddenly I was home. By the window of the little room you were combing your hair and making up.

相顾无言,惟有泪千行。
You turned and looked, not speaking, only lines of tears coursing down -

料得年年肠断处,明月夜,短松冈。
year after year will it break my heart? The moonlit grave, its stubby pines.