あなただけを / 醉眼看世界 / 流水年華

YK’s 2-Cents: 

Time to go down the memory lane again ... to the 70s ...

For most people, their exposure to oldies is through their grandparents or parents.  Mine came from my ex-neighbours whose priciest possession in their home was the hi-fi, and they made sure the whole neighbourhood knew about it.  流水年華 popularized by the late Taiwanese singer 鳳飛飛 Feng Fei Fei was such a hit in the 1970s, they played it all day and continued playing it well into the 1980s.  But somebody in Japan sang it before her!

This familiar classic was originally released in Japan on 25 Jun 1976 in the Summer Heartbreak album of Teruhiko Aoi.

Composed by: 常富喜雄 Yoshio Tsunetomi

Arranged by:  惣領泰則 (amazingly, this arrangement was kept for all versions!)

Original Singer: あおい辉彦 Teruhiko Aoi

Japanese lyrics by: 大野真澄 Ohno Masumi

あなただけを 

ああ今年も南の风に　诱われてきたよ　 

静かな夏の 雨に濡れた浜辺に 
今もあなたを 想いつつ 

あゝいつでもあなたの侧に いられるようになりたい 
あなたのなにげない　ちょっとした仕草さえ 
见ているだけの 仆だけど 

今より素晴しい人生 爱するあなたとならば 
かなわぬ梦もありはしない 受けとめて欲しい 

あゝあなたを爱し続けたい 仆のすべて赌けても 
一绪にいる时も 离れている时にも 
爱し続けたい いつまでも 

あゝあなたが歌を口ずさみ 仆の心を揺さぶる 
ほかの谁にも 闻かせたくないんだ 
あなたの声は仆だけに 

波打つ髪が风に吹かれ 白いうなじにからんで 
爱は永远にと嗫やいている 海より深く 

あゝ　あなたを爱し続けたい 仆のすべて赌けても 
一绪にいる时も 离れている时にも 
爱し続けたい 生きている限りいつまでも


In 1977 Hong Kong, the Cantonese lyrics for  醉眼看世界 was written by 盧國沾 and it was released in the late 羅文 Roman Tam's 家變 album.

醉眼看世界 - 羅文

醉眼看世界，亂咁派，舒我愁懷，
我醉眼看世態，人人古怪。
望見他，埋頭苦幹，

只要為兩餐，乜嘢都講快，
望見他，骨痛如柴，做到傷哂。

醉眼看世界，亂咁派，舒我愁懷，
我醉眼看世態，人人古怪。
望見她，盈盈嬌態，
搵個大闊佬，貪佢死得快，
未結婚，可以住埋，為有錢派。

飲番杯，今朝有酒今朝醉，
飲番杯，充吓小丑，夜郎自大，
飲番杯，不必記掛，聽朝博命捱，
估估吓猜枚咁去猜。

醉眼看世界，亂咁派，舒我愁懷，
我醉眼看世態，人人古怪。
望見金，人人都拜，
一見就去搶，多見不多怪，
為兩餐，只有係捱，做到癲哂。

醉眼看世界，亂咁派，舒我愁懷，
我醉眼看世態，人人古怪。

望見她，盈盈嬌態，搵個大闊佬，
貪佢死得快，為兩餐，
可以住埋，為有錢派。

飲番杯，今朝有酒今朝醉，
飲番杯，充吓小丑，夜郎自大，
飲番杯，不必記掛，聽朝博命捱，
估估吓猜枚咁去猜。

醉眼看世界，亂咁派，舒我愁懷，
我醉眼看世態，人人古怪。

望見金人人都拜，一見就去搶，
多見不多怪，為兩餐，
只有係捱，只有係捱，只有係捱，做到癲哂。

At around the same time in Taiwan, the Chinese lyrics for  流水年華 was written by 蔣榮依 and on 1 May 1978, it was released in 鳳飛飛's '花有情花有爱' album, though later renditions by 刘文正 and 庾澄慶 were popular too.

流水年華 -  鳳飛飛

朦朧地街燈　靜靜躺在小雨中　往事又掠過我心頭
猶記離別的時候　緊緊握住我的雙手
輕輕一句多珍重　眼兒也濛濛

年華似水流　轉眼又是春風柔　層層地相思也悠悠
他鄉風寒露更濃　勸君早晚要保重
期待他日再相逢　共渡白首

今宵微寒　路上行人匆匆　朦朧的街燈　孤立在小雨中
遠處傳來幽幽的歌聲　句句在我心田

年華似水流　轉眼又是春風柔　層層地相思也悠悠
他鄉風寒露更濃　勸君早晚要保重
期待他日再相逢　我期待他日再相逢　共渡白首

Interestingly, for the same melody and arrangement, the 3 lyrics portrayed entirely different emotions.  While the Japanese title translates to 'Only You', the Cantonese and Chinese version were less sentimental.  醉眼看世界 - translates to 'Looking at the World through Eyes of a Drunk', highlights the wackiness of some social behaviours.   流水年華 sings of the memories of parting with a love one, but the upbeat tune focus on sending well wishes and the anticipation of reunion.


With news of the passing of 鳳飛飛 (03 Jan 2012) at age 58 to lung cancer, and losing 羅文 about 10 years ago (18 Oct 2002) at age 52 to liver cancer, currently at age 64,  あおい 輝彦 outlived them.

Sleigh Ride

Year: 1950
Composer: Leroy Anderson (1948)
Lyricist: Mitchell Parish (1950)
Origin: America
Singer: Leroy Anderson (Original)


My favorite version by The Carpenters (1978) with the most unique and unforgettable voice of Karen Carpenter:

Sing-along with Johnny Mathis (1958):

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "yoo hoo",
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, let's go, Let's look at the show,
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, gidd yap, it's grand, Just holding your hand,
We're gliding along with a song of a wintry fairy land

Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us and sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

There's a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending of a perfect day
We'll be singing the songs we love to sing without a single stop
At the fireplace while we watch the chestnuts pop. pop! pop! 

There's a happy feeling nothing in the world can buy
When they pass around the coffee and the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print by Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things we remember all through our lives!

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "yoo hoo",
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

Our cheeks are nice and rosy and comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be

Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "yoo hoo",
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap, let's go, Let's look at the show,
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, gidd yap, it's grand, Just holding your hand,
We're gliding along with a song of a wintry fairy land

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring ting tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "yoo hoo",
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you.

Adeste Fideles / O Come All Ye Faithful

Year: 
Composer: John Francis Wade
Lyricist: 
Origin: United Kingdom


Perfect rendition by Andrea Bocelli

Sing-along with Mario Lanza

(testo originale in latino)
Adeste fideles læti triumphantes,
venite, venite in Bethlehem.
Natum videte Regem angelorum.
Venite adoremus (3x)
Dominum. 

En grege relicto humiles ad cunas,
vocati pastores adproperant,
et nos ovanti gradu festinemus.
Venite adoremus (ter)
Dominum.

Æterni Parentis splendorem æternum,
velatum sub carne videbimus,
Deum infantem pannis involutum.
Venite adoremus (ter)
Dominum.

Pro nobis egenum et fœno cubantem
piis foveamus amplexibus;
sic nos amantem quis non redamaret?
Venite adoremus (ter)
Dominum.


Wiener Sängerknaben : Adeste Fideles.

Adeste Fideles,
Laeti triumphantes;
Venite, venite in Bethlehem;
Natum videte,
Regem Angelorum;

Refrain :
Venite adoremus
Venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum !

Deum de Deo,
Lumen de lumine,
Gestant puellae viscera;
Deum verum,
Genitum, non factum : 

Refrain

Cantet nunc hymnos
Chorus angelorum,
Cantet nunc aula caelestium:
Gloria, gloria,
In excelsis Deo !

Refrain

Ergo qui natus
Die hodierna,
Jesu tibi sit gloria:
Patris aeterni
Verbum caro factum !

Refrain
--------




Adeste fideles, laeti triumphantes,
Venite, venite in Bethlehem.
Natum videte regem angelorum:
Venite adoremus, venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum!

En grege relicto, humiles ad cunas
Vocati pastores approperant.
Et nos ovanti gradu festinemus:
Venite adoremus, venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum!

(Adeste fideles, laeti triumphantes,
Venite, venite in Bethlehem.)
Natum videte regem angelorum:
Venite adoremus, venite adoremus,
Venite adoremus Dominum!

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

Refrain

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, He shuns not the Virgin’s womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;

Refrain

Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation;
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest;

Refrain

See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;

Refrain

Lo! star led chieftains, Magi, Christ adoring,
Offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
We to the Christ Child bring our hearts’ oblations.

Refrain

Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?

Refrain

Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to Thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.

Refrain

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

Year: 1944
Composer: Mel Tormé and Bob Wells 
Lyricist: Mel Tormé and Bob Wells
Origin: America
Singer: The Nat King Cole Trio (original)

The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree - Natalie Cole, daughter of Nat King Cole:

Sing-along with Nat King Cole:

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, 

Jack Frost nipping on your nose, 

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, 

And folks dressed up like Eskimos. 

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe, 

Help to make the season bright. 

Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow, 

Will find it hard to sleep tonight. 

They know that Santa's on his way; 

He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh. 

And every mother's child is going to spy, 

To see if reindeer really know how to fly. 

And so I'm offering this simple phrase, 

To kids from one to ninety-two, 

Although its been said many times, many ways, 

A very Merry Christmas to you 

Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht / Silent Night

Year: 1818
Composer: Franz Xaver Gruber (1818)
Lyricist: Josef Mohr (1816)
              John Freeman Young (1859) - English translation "Silent Night"
              Père Barjon (>1859) - French translation "Douce Nuit, Sainte Nuit"


Origin: Austria


This must be one of the most translated Christmas song with 44 translations, with all translations .  During the Christmas truce of World War I, it was sung in German, English and French by German, British and French troops respectively. 







Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!


Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
Tönt es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, der Retter ist da!


Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!

Music: Franz Xaver Gruber, 1818
Words: John Freeman Young, 1863


Silent night, holy night
All is calm all is bright
'Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace


Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heav'nly hosts sing Alleluia;
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born


Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Douce nuit, sainte nuit !
Dans les cieux ! L'astre luit.
Le mystère annoncé s'accomplit
Cet enfant sur la paille endormi,
C'est l'amour infini ! [x2]

Saint enfant, doux agneau !
Qu'il est grand ! Qu'il est beau !
Entendez résonner les pipeaux
Des bergers conduisant leurs troupeaux
Vers son humble berceau ! [x2]

C'est vers nous qu'il accourt,
En un don sans retour !
De ce monde ignorant de l'amour,
Où commence aujourd'hui son séjour,
Qu'il soit Roi pour toujours ! [x2]

Quel accueil pour un Roi !
Point d'abri, point de toit !
Dans sa crèche il grelotte de froid
O pécheur, sans attendre la croix,
Jésus souffre pour toi ! [x2]

Paix à tous ! Gloire au ciel !
Gloire au sein maternel,
Qui pour nous, en ce jour de Noël,
Enfanta le Sauveur éternel,
Qu'attendait Israël ! [x2]

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Year: 1943

Composer: Hugh Martin

Lyricist: Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin

Origin: America

Singer: Judy Garland (original)

Judy Garland singing this song to a very young Margaret O'Brien in the 1944 movie 'Meet Me in St. Louis'.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
Next year all our troubles will be
out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the yule-tide gay
Next year all our troubles will be
miles away
Once again as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who were near to us
Will be dear to us once more
Someday soon, we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Until then, we'll have to muddle through somehow
So have yourself a merry little Christmas now.

Frank Sinatra's jollier version:

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Let your heart be light

From now on,

our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Make the Yule-tide gay,

From now on, 

our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,

Happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to us

Gather near to us once more.

Through the years 

We all will be together,

If the Fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.  

Linda Ronstadt who sings both "muddle through somehow" and "hang a shining star":

El Burrito de Belén / Mi Burrito Sabanero

Year: 1976
Composer: Hugo Blanco 
Lyricist: Hugo Blanco
Origin: Venezuela
Singer: La Rondallita (Original)

Con mi burrito sabanero, voy camino de Belén. Con mi burrito sabanero, voy camino de Belén. Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén. Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén. Tuquí, tuquí, tuquí, tuquí,  Tuquí, tuquí, tuquí, tu, Apúrate mi burrito Que ya vamos a llegar Tuquí, tuquí, tuquí, tuquí,  Tuquí, tuquí, tuquí, tu, Apúrate mi burrito Vamos a ver a Jesús.

With my grasslands donkey, I'm going to Bethlehem. With my grasslands donkey, I'm going to Bethlehem. If they see me, if they see me, I'm going to Bethlehem. If they see me, if they see me, I'm going to Bethlehem. Tuquí, tuquí, tuquí, tuquí,  Tuquí, tuquí, tuquí, tu, Hurry up my donkey, We are almost there. Tuquí, tuquí, tuquí, tuquí,  Tuquí, tuquí, tuquí, tu, Hurry up my donkey, We are going to see Jesus.