Stranger in the North by Namewee: lyrics, pinyin, translation | 漂向北方 by 黃明志 (Piao Xiang Bei Fang) 歌詞翻譯18 min read

See below for Namewee’s Stranger in the North: lyrics, pinyin and English translation! (aka 漂向北方 Piao Xiang Bei Fang by 黃明志 Huang Ming Zhi)

“Stranger in the North” is a hip hop/rap collaboration between Namewee and Leehom Wang. It describes the disillusionment of migrant workers who hope for a better life “up north” only to find that dreams can sometimes lead to disappointment. The dichotomy between dreams/despair, hope/hopelessness is reflected in the haunting melody sung by Wang, which floats above the gritty tongue-twister rap that Namewee churns out below it.

Namewee (黃明志/Huáng Míngzhì) is a Malaysian-born singer-songwriter known for his irreverent satirical songs in multiple East Asian languages, such as “Tokyo Bon” and “Thai Love Song.” His stage name, Namewee, is based on a play on the Mandarin pronunciation of his given name, which sounds like the Mandarin word “Name” (名字/Míngzì) and the Malaysian pronunciation of his last name (“Wee” from “Wee Meng Chee”).

Original Lyrics / Pinyin / Translation

SUNG VERSE 1

漂向北方 別問我家鄉
Piāo xiàng běifāng bié wèn wǒ jiāxiāng
(I’m) wandering north, don’t ask me about my hometown
高聳古老的城牆 擋不住憂傷
gāosǒng gǔlǎo de chéngqiáng dǎng bù zhù yōushāng
The towering ancient walls can’t block out (my) sorrow
我漂向北方 家人是否無恙
wǒ piāo xiàng běifāng jiārén shìfǒu wúyàng
(I’m) wandring north, is (my) family alright?
肩上沉重的行囊 盛滿了惆悵
jiān shàng chénzhòng de xíngnāng shèng mǎnle chóuchàng
The heavy parcel on my shoulders is full of despair

RAP 1

有人說他在老家欠了一堆錢 需要避避風頭
yǒurén shuō tā zài lǎojiā qiànle yī duī qián xūyào bì bìfēng tóu
Some people say that his family owed a lot of money, and he needed to run away
有人說他練就了一身武藝卻沒機會嶄露
yǒurén shuō tā liàn jiùle yīshēn wǔyì què méi jīhuì zhǎn lù
Some people said that he practiced his martial arts for a long time, but did not have a chance to display them
有人失去了自我 手足無措四處漂流
yǒurén shīqùle zìwǒ shǒuzúwúcuò sìchù piāoliú
Some people have lost themselves, aimlessly floating around
有人為了夢想為了三餐為養家糊口
yǒurén wéi le mèngxiǎng wèile sān cān wèi yǎngjiā húkǒu
Some people (are doing this) for the sake of their dreams, for three square meals, or in order to raise their families

他住在燕郊區 殘破的求職公寓
tā zhù zài yànjiāo qū cánpò dì qiúzhí gōngyù
He lives in the Swallow (Yan) Suburbs, a broken-down apartment building for job seekers
擁擠的大樓裡 堆滿陌生人都來自外地
yǒngjǐ de dàlóu li duī mǎn mòshēng rén dōu láizì wàidì
The cramped apartment is full of foreigners from out of town
他埋頭寫著履歷 懷抱著多少憧憬
tā máitóu xiězhe lǚlì huáibàozhe duōshǎo chōngjǐng
He lowers his head to write his resume, holding on to so much hope 
往返在九三零號公路 內心盼著奇蹟
wǎngfǎn zài jiǔsān líng hào gōnglù nèixīn pànzhe qíjī
(He) paces back and forth on 930th Street, hoping for a miracle

SUNG (& RAPPED) 2

忍著淚 (不聽也不想 不敢回頭望的遺憾)
rěnzhe lèi (bù tīng yě bùxiǎng bù gǎn huítóu wàng de yíhàn)
Hold the tears (Don’t listen and don’t think, don’t dare to turn back and look at regrets)
掩著傷 (扛下了夢想 要毅然決然去流浪)
yǎnzhe shāng (káng xiàle mèngxiǎng yào yìrán juérán qù liúlàng)
Bury the hurt (Put down the dream, have to keep wandering)
抬頭看 (卸下了自尊 光環 過去多風光)
táitóu kàn (xiè xiàle zìzūn guānghuán guòqù duō fēngguāng)
Lift your head and see… (Let go of self-esteem, halo, the past was so brilliant)
著斜陽 (就算再不堪 敗仗 也不能投降)
zhe xiéyáng (jiùsuàn zài bu kān bàizhàng yě bùnéng tóuxiáng)
…the sunset (even if there’s no success, only failure, cannot give up)

親愛的 (再見了南方 眺望最美麗的家鄉)
qīn’ài de (zàijiànle nánfāng tiàowàng zuì měilì de jiāxiāng)
(My) dear ones… (goodbye to the South, seeing the most beautiful hometown)
在遠方 (椰子樹搖晃 夢境倒映著的幻象)
zài yuǎnfāng (yē zǐ shù yáohuàng mèngjìng dàoyìngzhe de huànxiàng)
…are far away (coconut trees are swaying, in the hallucinations brought on by dreams)
這城市 (霧霾太猖狂 不散 都看不清前方)
zhè chéngshì (wù mái tài chāngkuáng bú sàn dōu kàn bù qīng qiánfāng)
This city… (the fog is too thick, it won’t go away, (I) cannot see in front of me)
太迷網
tài mí wǎng
…is too confusing

[Repeat SUNG VERSE 1]

 

RAP 3

空氣太髒 太混濁 他說不喜歡
kōngqì tài zāng tài húnzhuó tā shuō bu xǐhuan
The air is too dirty, too polluted, he says he doesn’t like it
車太混亂 太匆忙 他還不習慣
chē tài hǔnluàn tài cōngmáng tā hái bù xíguàn
The traffic is too thick, too busy, he’s not used to it
人行道一雙又一雙 斜視冷漠眼光
rénxíngdào yī shuāng yòu yī shuāng xiéshì lěngmò yǎnguāng
The walkways are full of pair after pair of cold eyes
他經常將自己灌醉 強迫融入 這大染缸
tā jīngcháng jiāng zìjǐ guàn zuì qiǎngpò róngrù zhè dà rǎngāng
He often gets himself drunk to force himself to adapt to this big melting pot

走著腳步蹣跚 二鍋頭在搖晃
zǒuzhe jiǎobù pánshān èrguōtóu zài yáohuàng
(He) is staggering drunk, the alcohol bottle is swaying (in his hands)
失意的人啊偶爾醉倒在那胡同陋巷
shīyì de rén a ǒu’ěr zuì dào zài nà hútòng lòuxiàng
Dejected people often fall down drunk in that alley
咀嚼爆肚涮羊 手中盛著一碗熱湯
jǔjué bàodǔ shuài yáng shǒuzhōng shèngzhe yī wǎn rètāng
(He) chews on lamb meat, he has a bowl of warm soup left in his hands
用力地 溫暖著 內心裡的不安
yònglì dì wēnnuǎnzhe nèixīn lǐ de bù’ān
(He’s) trying hard to warm (his) heart (which is) full of discomfort

[Repeat SUNG (& RAPPED) 2]

[Repeat SUNG VERSE 1]

 

SUNG VERSE 3

就像那塵土飄散隨著風向 誰又能帶領著我一起飛翔
jiù xiàng nà chéntǔ piāosàn suízhe fēngxiàng shuí yòu néng dàilǐngzhe wǒ yīqǐ fēixiáng
Just like dust floating in the wind, who can lead me to fly along?
我站在天壇中央閉上眼 祈求一家人都平安
wǒ zhàn zài tiāntán zhōngyāng bì shàng yǎn qíqiú yījiārén dōu píng’ān
I stand in the middle of the Temple of Heaven and close my eyes, praying that my family is okay

[Repeat SUNG VERSE 1 with RAP 2]

 

RAP 4

我站在天子腳下 被踩得喘不過氣
wǒ zhàn zài tiānzǐ jiǎoxià bèi cǎi de chuǎn bùguò qì
I stand at the foot of the heavens, stepped on until I cannot breathe
走在前門大街 跟人潮 總會分歧
zǒu zài qiánmén dàjiē gēn réncháo zǒng huì fēnqí
Walking in the public streets with the mass of humanity, disagreements are inevitable
或許我根本不屬於這裡 早就該離去
huòxǔ wǒ gēnběn bù shǔwū zhèlǐ zǎo jiù gāi lí qù
Perhaps I don’t even belong here, I should have left long ago
誰能給我致命的一擊 請用力到徹底
shuí néng gěi wǒ zhìmìng de yī jī qǐng yònglì dào chèdǐ
Who can give me a fatal blow? Please do it forcefully, completely

這裡是夢想的中心 但夢想都遙不可及
zhèlǐ shì mèngxiǎng de zhōngxīn dàn mèngxiǎng dōu yáo bùkě jí
This is the center of dreams, but dreams all seem too far away 
這裡是圓夢的聖地 但卻總是撲朔迷離
zhèlǐ shì yuánmèng de shèngdì dàn què zǒng shì pūshuòmílí
This is the holy birthplace of dreams, but it’s all so confusing
多少人敵不過殘酷的現實 從此銷聲匿跡
duōshǎo rén dí bùguò cánkù de xiànshí cóngcǐ xiāoshēngnìjì
How many people have not been able to survive harsh reality, and so have disappeared?
多少人陷入了昏迷 剩下一具 空殼屍體
duōshǎo rén xiànrùle hūnmí shèng xià yī jù kōng ké shītǐ
How many people have sunk into unconsciousness, leaving behind an empty husk of a body?

Rest In Peace.

Lyrics in Colloquial English

VERSE 1

I’m going North, don’t ask me where I come from. These old, towering walls aren’t large enough to block out my unhappiness.
I’m going North, is my family okay? This heavy sack I carry on my shoulders is filled with despair.

RAP 1

Some people say (he came North because) his family owed a lot of money to debt collectors, so he needed to run away and hide. Some people say he practiced martial arts all his life, yet had nowhere to demonstrate his prowess. Some people have lost their sense of self, wandering aimlessly. Some people (come North) because they are either chasing a dream, they need to work for food, or they are trying to support their families.

He lives in the Swallow (Yan) Suburbs, in a dilapidated apartment for job-seekers. The cramped building is full of foreigners who come from all over. He lowers his head, writing his resume, holding on to his hope. He paces back and forth on 930th street, hoping for a miracle.

(SUNG) + RAPPED 2

(Hold the tears, bury the pain, lift your head and see the setting sun)
Don’t listen, don’t think, don’t dare to look back at regrets. Put down your dream, (you) have to keep wandering. Let go of (your) self-respect, and (your) halo, the past was so beautiful…but even if you don’t succeed and you fail, you cannot give up.

(My dear ones are far away, this city is so confusing) Goodbye to the South! (I) see my most beautiful hometown. (I see) the coconut trees swaying in my dreams. The fog is too thick, it won’t go away, I can’t see in front of me.

RAP 3

The air is too polluted and dirty, he says he doesn’t like it. The traffic is too thick, too busy, he’s not used to it. The walkways are full of people looking coldly at him out of the corners of their eyes. He often drinks himself into a stupor, trying to adapt to this melting pot of a society.

He’s staggering drunk, swinging a bottle of alcohol in his hands. Disappointed people sometimes drink themselves to oblivion in that alley over there. He’s chewing on some lamb meat and holding a warm bowl of soup, trying to warm up the cold feeling of apprehension in his heart.

SUNG VERSE 2

Just like a speck of dust floating in the wind, can someone take me flying? I stand in the middle of Heaven’s Temple, praying that my family is alright.

RAP 4

(I) stand at Heaven’s feet, being stepped on until (I’m) unable to breathe. When (I) walk amongst the crowds in public, it’s inevitable that (I) will have disagreements with people. Perhaps I don’t even belong here, and I should have left long ago. Who can give me a fatal blow? Do it forcefully.

This is the center of dreams, yet (my) dreams are all so far away. This is the holy land of dreams, yet it’s all so bewildering. How many people have disappeared (here) because they haven’t been able to withstand cruel reality? How many people have fallen into a coma, leaving behind an empty shell?

Rest in Peace.

 
 

Lyrics Explained

SUNG VERSE 1

我漂向北方 別問我家鄉
Piāo xiàng běifāng bié wèn wǒ jiāxiāng
(I’m) wandering north, don’t ask me about my hometown

  • 我 / 漂 / 向 / 北方 = I / float / toward / northward
    別 / 問 / 我 / 家鄉 = don’t / ask / me / hometown (or home village)

高聳古老的城牆 擋不住憂傷
gāosǒng gǔlǎo de chéngqiáng dǎng bù zhù yōushāng
The towering ancient walls can’t block out (my) sorrow

  • 高聳 / 古老 / 的 / 城牆 =  high and towering / ancient or old /  (possessive particle) / city walls
    擋 / 不住 / 憂傷 = keep out / not able to / despair

我漂向北方 家人是否無恙
wǒ piāo xiàng běifāng jiārén shìfǒu wúyàng
(I’m) wandering north, is (my) family alright?

  • 我漂向北方 = (same as before)
    家人 / 是否 / 無恙 = Family / yes or no? / not in trouble (alright)

肩上沉重的行囊 盛滿了惆悵
jiān shàng chénzhòng de xíngnāng shèng mǎnle chóuchàng
The heavy parcel on my shoulders is full of despair

  • 肩上 / 沉重 / 的 /行囊 = on top of (my) shoulders / heavy / (possessive particle) / luggage or parcel or package
    盛滿了 / 惆悵 = is full of / despair

RAP 1

有人說他在老家欠了一堆錢 需要避避風頭
yǒurén shuō tā zài lǎojiā qiànle yī duī qián xūyào bì bìfēng tóu
Some people say that his family owed a lot of money, and he needed to run away

  • 有 / 人 / 說 / 他 / 在 / 老家 / 欠了 / 一堆 / 錢  = some / people / say / he / at / old home / owed / a bunch of / money
    需要 / 避避 / 風頭 = need to / hide / (from the) limelight

有人說他練就了一身武藝卻沒機會嶄露
yǒurén shuō tā liàn jiùle yīshēn wǔyì què méi jīhuì zhǎn lù
Some people said that he practiced his martial arts for a long time, but did not have a chance to display them

  • 有人說他 = (same as above)
    練就了 / 一身武藝 = practiced /  martial arts
    卻 / 沒 / 機會 / 嶄露 = but / no / opportunity / display

有人失去了自我 手足無措四處漂流
yǒurén shīqùle zìwǒ shǒuzúwúcuò sìchù piāoliú
Some people have lost themselves, aimlessly floating around

  • 有人 / 失去了 / 自我 = some people / lost / self
    手足無措 / 四處 / 漂流 = helplessly /  everywhere / float and wander

有人為了夢想為了三餐為養家糊口
yǒurén wéi le mèngxiǎng wèile sān cān wèi yǎngjiā húkǒu
Some people (are doing this) for the sake of their dreams, for three square meals, or in order to raise their families

  • 有人 / 為了 / 夢想 / 為了 / 三餐 / 為 / 養 / 家糊口 = some people / because of / their dreams/ because of / three meals / because / raise (or feed) / family

他住在燕郊區 殘破的求職公寓
tā zhù zài yànjiāo qū cánpò dì qiúzhí gōngyù
He lives in the Swallow (Yan) Suburbs, a broken-down apartment building for job seekers

  • 他 / 住在 / 燕 / 郊區 = He / lives at / Swallow / Suburb
    殘破的 / 求職 / 公寓 = broken-down / job-seeking / apartments or flats or lodging house

擁擠的大樓裡 堆滿陌生人都來自外地
yǒngjǐ de dàlóu li duī mǎn mòshēng rén dōu láizì wàidì
The cramped apartment is full of foreigners from out of town

  • 擁擠的 / 大樓裡 / 堆滿 / 陌生人 / 都 / 來自 / 外地 = stuffy and cramped / high rise / filled with / strangers / all / come from / outside+land = foreign lands

他埋頭寫著履歷 懷抱著多少憧憬
tā máitóu xiězhe lǚlì huáibàozhe duōshǎo chōngjǐng
He lowers his head to write his resume, holding on to so much hope 

  • 他 / 埋頭 / 寫著 / 履歷 = He / buries his head / writing / resume
    懷抱著 / 多少 / 憧憬 = holding on to, or hugging / how much / longing

往返在九三零號公路 內心盼著奇蹟
wǎngfǎn zài jiǔsān líng hào gōnglù nèixīn pànzhe qíjī
(He) paces back and forth on 930th Street, hoping for a miracle

  • 往返 / 在 / 九三零號 / 公路 = Pacing back and forth / on / 930th /  street
    內心 / 盼著 / 奇蹟 = inside (his) heart / hoping for / a miracle

SUNG (& RAPPED) 2

忍著淚 (不聽也不想 不敢回頭望的遺憾)
rěnzhe lèi (bù tīng yě bùxiǎng bù gǎn huítóu wàng de yíhàn)
Hold the tears (Don’t listen and don’t think, don’t dare to turn back and look at regrets)

  • 忍著 / 淚 = holding back / tears
    (不聽 / 也 /不想 / 不敢 / 回頭 / 望的 / 遺憾) = don’t listen / and / don’t think/ don’t dare / turn head (back) / see / regret

掩著傷 (扛下了夢想 要毅然決然去流浪)
yǎnzhe shāng (káng xiàle mèngxiǎng yào yìrán juérán qù liúlàng)
Bury the hurt (Put down the dream, have to keep wandering)

  • 掩著 / 傷 = mask or cover / pain
    (扛下了 / 夢想 / 要 / 毅然決然 / 去 / 流浪) = put down / dreams / have to / resolutely / go / wander

抬頭看 (卸下了自尊 光環 過去多風光)
táitóu kàn (xiè xiàle zìzūn guānghuán guòqù duō fēngguāng)
Lift your head and see… (Let go of self-esteem, halo, the past was so brilliant)

  • 抬 / 頭 / 看 = lift / head/ (to) see
    (卸下了 / 自尊 / 光環 / 過去 / 多 / 風光) = put down / self-respect / halo / the past / so / scenic

著斜陽 (就算再不堪 敗仗 也不能投降)
zhe xiéyáng (jiùsuàn zài bu kān bàizhàng yě bùnéng tóuxiáng)
…the sunset (even if there’s no success, only failure, cannot give up)

  • 著 / 斜陽  = (看著 go together. It means “to see”) / sunset
    (就算 / 再不堪 / 敗仗 / 也 / 不能 / 投降) = even if / no longer can bear / fail / still / cannot / give up

親愛的 (再見了南方 眺望最美麗的家鄉)
qīn’ài de (zàijiànle nánfāng tiàowàng zuì měilì de jiāxiāng)
(My) dear ones… (goodbye to the South, seeing the most beautiful hometown)

  • 親愛的 = dear ones
    (再見了 / 南方 / 眺望 / 最美麗的 / 家鄉) = goodbye / South / watching / most beautiful / hometown

在遠方 (椰子樹搖晃 夢境倒映著的幻象)
zài yuǎnfāng (yē zǐ shù yáohuàng mèngjìng dàoyìngzhe de huànxiàng)
…are far away (coconut trees are swaying, in the hallucinations brought on by dreams)

  • 在 / 遠方 = at / far away in the distance
    (椰子樹 / 搖晃 / 夢境 / 倒映著 / 的 / 幻象) = coconut trees / sway / dreamscape / reflected / (possessive word) / illusion

這城市 (霧霾太猖狂 不散 都看不清前方)
zhè chéngshì (wù mái tài chāngkuáng bú sàn dōu kàn bù qīng qiánfāng)
This city… (the fog is too thick, it won’t go away, (I) cannot see in front of me)

  • 這城市 = this city
    (霧霾 / 太 / 猖狂 / 不散 / 都看 / 不清 / 前方) = fog / too / crazy / not scattering / all (that I) see / not clear / in front

太迷網
tài mí wǎng
…is too confusing

  • 太 / 迷網 = too / confusing

[Repeat SUNG VERSE 1]

 

RAP 3

空氣太髒 太混濁 他說不喜歡
kōngqì tài zāng tài húnzhuó tā shuō bu xǐhuan
The air is too dirty, too polluted, he says he doesn’t like it

  • 空氣 / 太 / 髒 / 太 / 混濁 = air / too / dirty / too / turbid or muddy
    他 / 說 / 不喜歡 = he / says / do not like

車太混亂 太匆忙 他還不習慣
chē tài hǔnluàn tài cōngmáng tā hái bù xíguàn
The traffic is too thick, too busy, he’s not used to it

  • 車 / 太混亂 / 太匆忙 = Cars / too chaotic / too busy
    他 / 還 / 不習慣 = he / still / not used to it

人行道一雙又一雙 斜視冷漠眼光
rénxíngdào yī shuāng yòu yī shuāng xiéshì lěngmò yǎnguāng
The walkways are full of pair after pair of cold eyes

  • 人行道 / 一雙 / 又一雙 / 斜視 / 冷漠的 / 眼光 = pedestrian walkway / a pair / and another pair / side looking / cold / eyes

他經常將自己灌醉 強迫融入 這大染缸
tā jīngcháng jiāng zìjǐ guàn zuì qiǎngpò róngrù zhè dà rǎngāng
He often gets himself drunk to force himself to adapt to this big melting pot

  • 他 / 經常 / 將自己 / 灌醉 = he / often / gets himself / drunk
    強迫 / 融入 / 這 / 大 / 染缸 = force / assimilation into / this / big / dye tank or vat (aka melting pot)

走著腳步蹣跚 二鍋頭在搖晃
zǒuzhe jiǎobù pánshān èrguōtóu zài yáohuàng
(He) is staggering drunk, the alcohol bottle is swaying (in his hands)

  • 走著 / 腳步 / 蹣跚 = walking / footsteps / stumbling
    二鍋頭 / 在 / 搖晃 = Erguotou (a Chinese baijiu aka alcoholic beverage) / is / swaying

失意的人啊偶爾醉倒在那胡同陋巷
shīyì de rén a ǒu’ěr zuì dào zài nà hútòng lòuxiàng
Dejected people often fall down drunk in that alley

  • 失意的 / 人啊 / 偶爾 / 醉倒 / 在 / 那 / 胡同陋巷 = disappointed / people (ah–like a sigh) / sometimes / fall down drunk / in / that / alley

咀嚼爆肚涮羊 手中盛著一碗熱湯
jǔjué bàodǔ shuài yáng shǒuzhōng shèngzhe yī wǎn rètāng
(He) chews on lamb meat, he has a bowl of warm soup left in his hands

  • 咀嚼 / 爆肚涮羊 / 手中 / 盛著 / 一碗 / 熱湯 = chewing / lamb tripe / in (his) hand / leftover / a bowl / hot soup

用力地 溫暖著 內心裡的不安
yònglì dì wēnnuǎnzhe nèixīn lǐ de bù’ān
(He’s) trying hard to warm (his) heart (which is) full of discomfort

  • 用力地 / 溫暖著 / 內心裡的 / 不安 = (trying) with force / warm up / inside (his) heart’s / unease

[Repeat SUNG (& RAPPED) 2] [Repeat SUNG VERSE 1]

 

SUNG 3

就像那塵土飄散隨著風向 誰又能帶領著我一起飛翔
jiù xiàng nà chéntǔ piāosàn suízhe fēngxiàng shuí yòu néng dàilǐngzhe wǒ yīqǐ fēixiáng
Just like dust floating in the wind, who can lead me to fly along?

  • 就像 / 那 / 塵土 / 飄散 / 隨著 / 風向 = just like / that / dust / floating / following / (the) wind(‘s) direction
    誰 / 又能 / 帶領著 / 我 / 一起 / 飛翔 = who / can also / lead / me / together / flying

我站在天壇中央閉上眼 祈求一家人都平安
wǒ zhàn zài tiāntán zhōngyāng bì shàng yǎn qíqiú yījiārén dōu píng’ān
I stand in the middle of the Temple of Heaven and close my eyes, praying that my family is okay

  • 我 / 站 / 在 / 天壇 / 中央 = I / stand / at / Temple of Heaven / center
    閉上眼 / 祈求 / 一家人 / 都 /平安 = close up eyes / beg / whole family / all / at peace or alright
[Repeat SUNG VERSE 1 with RAP 3]

 

RAP 4

我站在天子腳下 被踩得喘不過氣
wǒ zhàn zài tiānzǐ jiǎoxià bèi cǎi de chuǎn bùguò qì
I stand at the foot of the heavens, stepped on until I cannot breathe

  • 我站在 / 天子 / 腳下 = I stand at / Heaven’s son(‘s) / feet
    被 / 踩得 / 喘 / 不過 /氣 = (I) have been / stepped on until / gasp+can’t+air = can’t catch my breath

走在前門大街 跟人潮 總會分歧
zǒu zài qiánmén dàjiē gēn réncháo zǒng huì fēnqí
Walking in the public streets with the mass of humanity, disagreements are inevitable

  • 走在 / 前門大街 / 跟 / 人潮 / 總會 / 分歧 = walking / big street / with / crowds of people / of course will / disagree

或許我根本不屬於這裡 早就該離去
huòxǔ wǒ gēnběn bù shǔwū zhèlǐ zǎo jiù gāi lí qù
Perhaps I don’t even belong here, I should have left long ago

  • 或許 / 我 / 根本 / 不屬於 / 這裡 / 早就 / 該 / 離去 = maybe / I / basically / don’t belong to / this place / early / should have / left

誰能給我致命的一擊 請用力到徹底
shuí néng gěi wǒ zhìmìng de yī jī qǐng yònglì dào chèdǐ
Who can give me a fatal blow? Please do it forcefully, completely

  • 誰 / 能 / 給我 / 致命的一擊 / 請 / 用力 / 到 / 徹底 = who / can / give me / a fatal blow / please / use force / until / thoroughly complete

這裡是夢想的中心 但夢想都遙不可及
zhèlǐ shì mèngxiǎng de zhōngxīn dàn mèngxiǎng dōu yáo bùkě jí
This is the center of dreams, but dreams all seem too far away 

  • 這裡是 / 夢想的 / 中心 = this place is / dream’s / center
    但 / 夢想 / 都 / 遙不可及 = but / dreams / all / far away

這裡是圓夢的聖地 但卻總是撲朔迷離
zhèlǐ shì yuánmèng de shèngdì dàn què zǒng shì pūshuòmílí
This is the holy birthplace of dreams, but it’s all so confusing

  • 這裡是 / 圓夢的 / 聖地 = this place is / dreams / holy land
    但卻 / 總是 / 撲朔迷離 = but / always / bewildering

多少人敵不過殘酷的現實 從此銷聲匿跡
duōshǎo rén dí bùguò cánkù de xiànshí cóngcǐ xiāoshēngnìjì
How many people have not been able to survive harsh reality, and so have disappeared?

  • 多少人 / 敵不過 / 殘酷的 / 現實 = much+little+people= how many people? / can’t oppose/ cruel / reality
    從此 / 銷聲匿跡  = therefore / disappear

多少人陷入了昏迷 剩下一具 空殼屍體
duōshǎo rén xiànrùle hūnmí shèng xià yī jù kōng ké shītǐ
How many people have sunk into unconsciousness, leaving behind an empty husk of a body?

  • 多少人 / 陷入了 / 昏迷 = how many people / have sunk into / a coma
    剩下 / 一具 / 空殼屍體 = leaving behind / an / empty corpse

Rest In Peace.

Singable English Lyrics

SUNG VERSE 1

I’m wandering North
Don’t ask me henceforth
Of home; even a great wall can’t from my heart force

This sadness away
Is my family okay?
While this burden I carry
Grows worse every day

RAP 1

Some say that he owed some people money and needed to run away
Some say he had trained hard in martial arts but came here to find a stage
Some have lost their hearts and souls, wandering before the death knell
Some have come for dreams, to feed themselves and their families as well

He rents a small apartment in a backwater place
The dirty high-rise chock full of strangers each with a foreign face
He works on his resume, tries hard to find an escape
And after turning in his papers he’ll stand outside and pace

(SUNG) + RAPPED 2

(Hold the tears…hide the pain…lift your eyes…sunlight fades)
Do not think or listen don’t dare to feel regret; just
Keep on pushing onward you haven’t got there yet; but
Let your ego die, your halo, and your old pride
You cannot give up, you must continue to try

(My dear ones…far away….from this confusing place)
Bid the South goodbye, I’m trying to make a new life
Yet in my mind’s eye the old trees from home I still spy
Here the fog’s too thick, homesick, I cannot see the sky

This is my final hope
I cannot go back home

RAP 3

There’s pollution in the air, he does not like it,
Traffic’s a mess, folks are pressed, he’s not used to it
The people just keep on walking
They all look so cold and mean
He tries to drink alcohol to fit in with this society

He is staggering drunk, With a bottle of beer
The hopeless people sometimes fall down in the alleys back here
He chows down on lamb meat, holds a bowl of warm soup tightly
Just trying not to sink, keep self from despairing

SUNG 3

Just like a speck of dust that floats in the wind
Can someone help me fly above this dread din
I bow before the heavens, beg the divine, that my loved ones will be fine

RAP 4

I’m standing at heaven’s feet, stepped on ‘til I cannot breathe
All of the different kinds of people often fight in the street
Perhaps it’s true that I don’t belong here, and I should just leave
Is there someone out there to help me? take pity; just kill me

This is the promised land I seek, yet my goals are all out of reach
This is the holy land of dreams, but it’s so disorienting
How many cannot escape all life’s cruelty, and so just cease to be
How many fall into comas, leaving behind a… hollow body?

Rest in Peace.

 

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