Hujia《胡笳》– Cai Wenji (b.177 AD), arr.: Lan Tung (2001)
－ vocal, erhu, zheng & percussion
This autobiographical piece was written by Lady Cai of the late Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). Lady Cai was captured by the Huns in northwest China and forced to marry the Hun king. After 12 years of marriage and bearing two children to the king, the Han negotiated for her release. Although overjoyed with the news that she could finally go home, she was also deeply troubled with the knowledge that she would have to leave her children behind. This piece was recorded on the Orchid Ensemble’s Road to Kashgar CD.
胡 笳 十 八 拍 – 蔡琰
我生之初尚無為，我生之後漢祚衰。天不仁兮降亂離，地不仁兮使我逢此時。
干戈日尋兮道路危，民卒流亡兮共哀悲。煙塵蔽野兮胡虜盛，志意乖兮節義虧。
對殊俗兮非我宜，遭惡辱兮當告誰？
處穹廬兮偶殊俗。願得歸來兮天從欲，再還漢國兮歡心足。
心有懷兮愁轉深，日月無私兮曾不照臨。
子母分離兮意難任，同天隔越兮如商參，生死不相知兮何處尋！