浮夢半生——A Dream Half Lived

浮夢半生
by Colin Lee

為何前事如煙轉眼輕飄過
忙亂裡 留下我 浮沉在人海風雨間
若成熟是人生不免的功課
求原諒我 不捨那 遺落往昔的真我

夢如像在狂風中一聲呼喊
無奈裡 淘盡了 殘存在浮生的嘆息
但猶如漫長星空點點璀璨
抬頭望見 觸不到 仍是片刻精彩過

人歷桑田 仍能對酒高歌
昂立於驚濤前 莫理得失太多

若從來未曾甘心放低所有
何謂對 何謂錯 那可執意一一理清
可會打開懷抱奔放真自由
重拾自信 笑面迎 前路上困阻起跌

重拾自信 笑面迎 前路每天每分秒

The idea of writing a song in Cantonese (my first ever) was prompted half a year ago by my friend Marcus Lam, who has been seeking material for his performing arts projects, whereas inspirations of this song came from the following sources:

1) Time spent with my kids, who certainly remind me of my younger self—a lot;
2) Reunion with an old schoolmate, who seemed to me all but a shadow of his previously buoyant self;
3) My recent Chinese poem, The Rumbles, and the many ridiculous developments in our society as much as in my own career.

I had honestly not the slightest idea of the real challenges posed by Cantonese’s complex phonology until this hands-on experience; each line was practically a phonetic Sudoku for the melodic cadence to be matched by the six (or nine) tones exhibited in our native language. Kudos, from the depths of my heart, to all our great Cantonese lyricists. (How could you do this for a living?!) Having said that, I feel I may have a knack for songwriting myself—who knows?

Sorry that I can’t afford the time to translate or make a recording of the song … yet. I’m still working on that new story of mine, although I must also remind myself that the hectic Christmas season is looming into view. (Such excuses!) Hmm! Anyway, whilst our little family will be taking a short holiday in Japan … Happy Thanksgiving to y’all!