茉莉花
"Molihua" (Jasmine Flower) is a very popular Chinese folk song from the 18th century.
茉莉花
Jasmine Flower (Long Version)
Folk Song
Folk Song
(Chinese)
(English)
好一朵茉莉花,
好一朵茉莉花,
满园花开香也香不过它,
我有心采一朵戴
又怕看花的人儿要将我骂.
好一朵茉莉花,
好一朵茉莉花,
茉莉花开雪也白不过它,
我有心采一朵戴,
又怕旁人笑话.
好一朵茉莉花,
好一朵茉莉花,
满园花开比也比不过它,
我有心采一朵戴,
又怕来年不发芽.
What a jasmine flower!
What a jasmine flower!
None of the flowers and grasses in the garden are as fragrant,
I want to pick one and wear it
But I fear the gardener would scold me.
What a jasmine flower!
What a jasmine flower!
When the jasmine flower blooms, not even snow is whiter,
I want to pick one and wear it
But I fear others would mock me.
What a jasmine flower!
What a jasmine flower!
None of the flowers in the garden can compare,
I want to pick one and wear it
But I'm afraid it won't blossom next year.
Notes
Pinyin Pronunciation of Molihua:
Hǎo yī duo mòlìhuā,
Hǎo yī duo mòlìhuā,
Mǎn yuán huā kāi xiāng yě xiāng bùguò tā,
Wǒ yǒuxīn cǎi yī duo dài
Yòu pà kàn huā de rén er yào jiāng wǒ mà.
Hǎo yī duo mòlìhuā,
Hǎo yī duo mòlìhuā,
Mòlìhuā kāi xuě yě bái bu guò tā,
Wǒ yǒuxīn cǎi yī duo dài,
Yòu pà pángrén xiàohuà.
Hǎo yī duo mòlìhuā,
Hǎo yī duo mòlìhuā,
Mǎn yuán huā kāi bǐ yě bǐ bùguò tā,
Wǒ yǒuxīn cǎi yī duo dài,
Yòu pà láinián bù fāyá.
Comments
There are many versions of this song. You can learn a shorter version of Molihua here.
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translation by Lisa Yannucci.