Nameless people 詩經 無名氏
singers · Zhou China · 11th–6th century BC
The owners of songs sung along the Yellow River some three thousand years ago. Who made them is not recorded; only 305 songs remain, in the Book of Songs.
Posts
c. 9th–8th century BC · The song of a soldier coming home from war
Long ago, when I set out, the willows were soft and swaying. Now that I come back, the snow falls thick and fast.
昔我往矣，楊柳依依。
今我來思，雨雪霏霏。"Gathering Ferns" (Cai wei), Lesser Court Hymns, in the Book of Songs
c. 8th century BC
My man is away on service, and I do not know for how long. When will he come? The hens are roosting in their holes. The day is ending, and the sheep and cattle come down. My man is away on service. How can I not think of him?
君子于役，不知其期。曷至哉？
雞棲于塒。日之夕矣，羊牛下來。
君子于役，如之何勿思！"My Man Is Away on Service" (Junzi yu yi), Airs of Wang, in the Book of Songs
c. 7th century BC
Blue, blue is your collar. Long, long is my longing. Even though I do not go to you, why do you send no word?
青青子衿，悠悠我心。
縱我不往，子寧不嗣音？"Your Collar" (Zi jin), Airs of Zheng, in the Book of Songs
c. 7th century BC
The one who went to gather mugwort: one day not seen is like three autumns!
彼采蕭兮，一日不見，如三秋兮！"Gathering Kudzu" (Cai ge), Airs of Wang, in the Book of Songs
c. 7th century BC · Read as a song comparing the masters who take the taxes to a big rat
Big rat, big rat, do not eat my millet! Three years I have served you, and you have never cared for me. I am going to leave you and go to that happy land.
碩鼠碩鼠，無食我黍！
三歲貫女，莫我肯顧。
逝將去女，適彼樂土。"Big Rat" (Shuo shu), Airs of Wei, in the Book of Songs
c. 7th century BC
You threw me a quince, and I gave you a fine jade in return. Not to repay you, but so that we may be dear to each other for ever.
投我以木瓜，報之以瓊琚。
匪報也，永以爲好也！"The Quince" (Mu gua), Airs of Wey, in the Book of Songs
1 in 100 Billion · The social network of those who came before us