Drinking Alone Under the Moon

Drinking Alone Under the Moon was commissioned by the Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre for the multi-arts festival Harvest of Endurance, based on the scroll of the same name.

Harvest of Endurance is a 50-metre-long scroll that represents two centuries of Chinese contact with, and emigration to, Australia. Stories of hardship and survival, resourcefulness and reward are painted in the traditional gong bi style. Artist Mo Xiangyi, assisted by Wang Jingwen, painted the scroll. Harvest of endurance

Paul was inspired to compose a piece based on Chinese Poetry, particularly the classics from the 8th Century, as they so often describe the journey of life. As Paul usually writes his own lyrics, it is always a joy to work with another writers prose, especially a classic. Paul has always loved the Poem Drinking Alone Under the Moon by Li Bai.

Li Bai (705 – 762), also known as Li Po, was a Chinese poet acclaimed from his own day to the present as a genius and romantic figure who took traditional poetic forms to new heights. He and his friend Du Fu (712–770) were the two most prominent figures in the flourishing of Chinese poetry in the mid-Tang Dynasty.

The piece is written for 6 part choir with Flute (preferably Chinese) and Cello or erhu.

Themes

Sing a global story Sing a history
Duration 2:50
Key Open
Range G3 to A5
More info Visual and evocative, this piece suits projection if desired.
Price AU$3.00 per copy

Lyrics

D R I N K I N G   A L O N E   U N D E R   T H E   M O O N                        
           Song of Li Bai, Tang Dynasty Poet

Yuè Xià Dú Zhuó

This adaptation of Li Bai’s Yue Xia Du Zhuo by Paul Jarman
                       
A cup of wine, a tree in bloom
No one near, I drink alone
Raise my cup calling bright moon
My shadow and she make three

But the moon knows no drink
My shadow lingers by my side
Moon my friend, shadow my mime
Soon it is the end of Spring

To my songs the moon flickers
As I dance my shadow tangles
While I was sober we shared joy
Now I am drunk we go our way

Eternal friends
Meet again where the Silver Star River ends

Paul Jarman 2010
Lyrics adapted from Li Bai’s ‘Yuè Xià Dú Zhuó’