-Mao Zedong – June 1956
Just drunk of Changsha’s spring,
Now taste Wuchang’s fish bring.
Across Long River’s wide stretch I swing,
Sky o’er Chu lands so vast and clear to sing.
Let wind blow hard, waves wildly fling –
Better than calm stroll in garden’s ring!
Today my heart finds ease, light wing.
Once by the stream, the Sage did say:
“Time like this current speeds away!”
Masts in wind stir and play;
Tortoise-Snake hills still stay.
Great plans rise bright, in full array.
One bridge leaps north–south, a span so gay –
Deep chasm turned to path, smooth and straight way!
We’ll build west rock wall, strong and gray,
Curb Wu Gorge’s cloud and rain astray;
High gorges yield calm lake, bright ray.
Goddess, if still alive, well and gay,
She’d marvel how our world’s transformed today!
Note
In June 1956, during Mao’s inspection tour of southern China, he swam the Yangtze River three times at Wuhan, passing through construction sites of the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge (then being built).
Shui Diao Ge Tou (Prelude to Water Melody)
A classic ci (lyric poem) form: 18 lines, fixed tonal/rhyme pattern, suited to grand, reflective, heroic themes.
Yong Huai Ci (Lyric of Sentiment)
Merges personal experience (swimming) with political/historical reflection (construction, time, transformation).
Chu Tian (Sky over Chu)
Ancient name for central China (Hubei, Hunan). Evokes deep historical and poetic resonance.
Confucius (551–479 BCE)
The “Master” refers to Confucius. “The Master stood by the stream and said: ‘Time passes away like this, never ceasing day or night.’”
“The Master stood by the stream and said: ‘Time passes away like this, never ceasing day or night.’”
— Quotation from Analects – Zi Han
Allusion to the swift flow of time and urgency for progress.
Just drunk Changsha’s water; now eat Wuchang’s fish
Adapted from a Three Kingdoms folk ballad: “Better drink Jianye’s water than eat Wuchang’s fish”.
Mao reverses it to express joy of travel, vitality, and connection to the land.
Cross ten-thousand-li Yangtze
- Literal: Mao’s historic swim across the Yangtze.
- Symbol: conquering nature, bold revolutionary spirit.
Sky o’er Chu lands stretches wide
Vast sky → open mind, national optimism.
Let wind/waves rage – better than calm garden stroll
Core metaphor: Facing challenges (storms, waves) with calm confidence, heroic composure.
Master by stream: Time flows like this
- Direct allusion to Confucius’ reflection on time.
- Meaning: Time is precious; seize the moment for construction.
Masts move; Tortoise-Snake hills rest
- Wuhan landmarks:
- Wind masts: Boats on the Yangtze.
- Tortoise Hill & Snake Hill: Two hills framing Wuhan’s riverbanks.
- Contrast motion (activity, construction) and stillness (stability, foundation).
Bridge leaps north–south; chasm becomes highway
- Refers to the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge (completed 1957), China’s first major rail-road bridge over the Yangtze.
- “Heavenly chasm” – traditional term for the Yangtze as a natural barrier.
- Symbol: human ingenuity conquering nature.
Build west rock wall; block Wu Gorge mists; high gorges form calm lake
- Prophetic vision of the Three Gorges Dam (built decades later).
- Wu Gorge: One of the Three Gorges, famous for clouds, rain, and myth.
Goddess well – she’d marvel at our changed world
- Mythic allusion: Wu Mountain Goddess from Song Yu’s Gao Tang Fu (Warring States).
- Goddess of Wu Gorge, associated with “clouds and rain”.
- Meaning: Even the immortal goddess would be stunned by modern China’s transformation.
《水调歌头-游泳》
才饮长沙水，
又食武昌鱼。
万里长江横渡，
极目楚天舒。
不管风吹浪打，
胜似闲庭信步，
今日得宽馀。
子在川上曰：
逝者如斯夫！
风樯动，
龟蛇静，
起宏图。
一桥飞架南北，
天堑变通途。
更立西江石壁，
截断巫山云雨，
高峡出平湖。
神女应无恙，
当惊世界殊。
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