Tang Yun唐韵

No. 50 · Five-character ancient verse

游子吟

Song of the Travelling Son

Yóu Zǐ Yín

by Meng Jiao 孟郊 · 751 – 814

  • Mother
  • Family
  • Gratitude
慈母手中线The thread in a loving mother's hand
游子身上衣becomes the coat on the travelling son.
临行密密缝As he leaves, she sews it close and close,
意恐迟迟归afraid he will be long in coming back.
谁言寸草心Who says the heart of a blade of grass
报得三春晖can repay the spring sunlight?