Watch & Learn A Chinese Folksong

February 19, 2010

"Mò Li Hua" (Jasmine Flower) has been popular since the Qing Dynasty.

Transcribed in 1804 by a British diplomat, this traditional piece was the first Chinese folk song introduced overseas in a published format. In 1926, Puccini featured the melody as one of the main musical elements in his opera, Turandot. In both 2004 and 2008, Mò Li Hua was performed at the Olympic Games: closing ceremony in 2004 and the opening ceremony in 2008.

Hanyu Pinyin

Hao yi duo mei lì de mò li hua
Hao yi duo mei lì de mò li hua
Fen fang mei lì man zhi ya
Yòu xiang yòu bái rén rén kua
Ràng wo lái jiang ni zhai xià
Sòng gei bie rén jia
Mò li hua ya mò li hua

Literal Translation

What a beautiful jasmine flower
What a beautiful jasmine flower
Sweet-smelling, beautiful, stems full of buds
Fragrant and white, everyone praises
Let me pluck you down
Give to someone
Jasmine flower, oh jasmine flower

Poetic Translation

Flower of jasmine, so fair!
Flower of jasmine, so fair!
Budding and blooming here and there,
Pure and fragrant all declare.
Let me take you with tender care,
Your sweetness for all to share.
Jasmine fair, oh jasmine fair.