Eighth notes, sixteenth notes, thirty-second notes,

八分音十六分音三十二分音符

the tanbur’s strokes more urgent on your forehead

彈撥爾迫切切拍撫你額頭如胡楊低訴

than the murmurs of Euphrates poplars.

雪落著雪落落了整整三個月

This falling snow’s been falling three months.

駝鈴搖醒大漠荒涼的思念

The sway of camel bells wakes the desert’s longing.

你是不停的路我是不移的窗

You’re an endless path. I’m a steady window.

你愈行愈近卻不往我的方向

You’re near but not in my direction.

我們的時間或許眠夢等待或許在明天

Some hour may await us, tomorrow or in dreams.

彈撥爾愈行愈遠愈行愈緩

The tanbur travels slow but journeys far.

三十二分音十六分音八分音符

Thirty-second notes, sixteenth notes, eighth notes.

我是不移的窗你是不停的路

I’m a steady window. You’re an endless path.