Eccentric Old Man's Miscellaneous Poems

Author: Shen Haizhong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Lyric writing, originally lyrics used for singing accompanied by music in ancient times (ci). As numerous scholars and talented writers from various dynasties began to compose lyrics, the role of lyrics as accompaniment gradually faded. Critics have remarked that Su Shi's lyrics were "unbound by the melody," meaning that lyrics and music had separated. Lyrics have become a new form of lyrical expression, rhyming verse, and cultural carrier. I am not against long lyrics, but I particularly enjoy concise and elegant short lyrics, such as Xin Qiji's "West River Moon" (Midnight Journey on the Yellow Sand Road) (Bright moon, startling magpies), which is only 50 characters long, naturally crafted, delicate and lovely, like admiring a vibrant flower or a miniature garden, refreshing and unforgettable, easy to recall and remember, and deeply cherished. Influenced by the ancients, I also have a strong preference for writing short lyrics.
There are many rules for writing lyrics, including: tonal patterns (pingze), parallelism (duizhang), rhyme (yayun), fixed phrases (dingju), fixed expressions (dingyan), rhythm, and structure, especially rhyme, which makes the lyrics and sentences flow smoothly and read with a resonant clarity. In the past, Emperor Wu of Han and his officials engaged in the "Bailiang Verse," and Cao Pi, the second son of Emperor Wen of Wei, wrote the "Yan Song Xing," both of which were written in a style where every line rhymed (known as the Bailiang style). It was not until Bao Zhao of the Southern and Northern Dynasties that the style of rhyming every other line was introduced, influencing many later lyricists. Due to my personal preference, I particularly favor writing lyrics where every line rhymes. It is hard to say whether this is progress or a return to ancient traditions.