Guan Ju Qu

The lyrics are the first five poems of the Shi Jing (Book of Songs). The melody is related to most of those published under the title Guan Ju in 58 other surviving handbooks published between 1491 (Zheyin Shizi Qinpu, which has completely different lyrics,) and 1894. Most have no lyrics.

The lyrics here begin by announcing the first title of the first section of the Shi Jing melody. The first five poems are then presented in order (without titles), then repeated once to different music. The original tablature is continuous, the poems being separated only by a circle, usually written in the tablature column.

The original preface (see below) mentions Zhou Nan (Southern Zhou) and Shao Nan (Southern Shao). Zhou Nan is the first section of the Shi Jing (poems 1 to 11); these are supposedly poems collected in southern Zhou regions. Shao Nan is the second section, poems 22-25; these are poems supposedly collected in the southern Shao region, centered on the city Shao, ruled by Wu Wang's half brother the Duke of Shao.

Preface ⁴

According to (history), the poem Cry of the Ospreys concerns the virtue of the Royal Consort (of Wen Wang). Confucius said that this poem was joyful but not licentious and sad but not aggrieved, using correctness in expressing emotions and harmony in the spirit of its sound. He also said, "If people don't live as in Zhou Nan and Shao Nan, is this not a case of standing as if facing a wall (i.e., they can't see anything)?" Observing the words of this song, (besides Cry of the Ospreys) it completely records (#2 Cloth Plant), (#3) Cockleburs, (#4) Trees with Drooping Branches, (and #5) Locusts. It presents them as songs with strings. How could it be only for qin and se zithers with bells and drums?
Music and Lyrics ⁵
Ten sections (marked off by circles), with a largely syllabic setting of the lyrics of the first five poems of the Shi Jing. The structure is affected by repeats as well as ornaments.

National Airs #1, Zhou South 1 #1 (This title is set to music)

(1. Shi Jing Poem #1: Cry of the Ospreys [4+4] x 10 )

"Guan, guan," trill the ospreys,
upon the island in the creek.
Modest is the gentle beauty,
fine for the gentleman to seek.
Uneven are the floating water plants,
they flow by left and right.
Modest is the gentle beauty,
he seeks her day and night.
He seeks but cannot get her,
he thinks of her day and night.
Sad and anxious thoughts,
twisting and turning in his plight.
Uneven are the floating water plants,
they can be picked left and right.
Modest is the gentle beauty,
qin and se zithers⁶ warm her heart.
Uneven are the floating water plants,
they can be gathered left and right.
Modest is the gentle beauty,
with bells and drums we bring her delight."

(2. Shi Jing Poem Poem #2: Cloth Plant [4+4] x 9)

"The cloth-plant's spread
extends to the middle of the valley.
The leaves are luxuriant
the oriole is in its flight.
It perches on the densely foliated trees,
its song is sweet.
The cloth-plant's spread
extends to the middle of the valley.
The leaves are extensive
these I cut and steam;
making fine linen and making course linen,
for clothing that I don't get tired of.
I'll speak to my nurse-tutor,
tell her I'm going home.
I'll wash my private garments,
(and) wash my outer clothing.
Which are washed and which are not?
I am returning to comfort my parents.

(3. Shi Jing Poem Poem #3: Cockleburs [4+4] x 2, then [4+4+6+5] x 2, then [4+4] x 2)

Variegated are the cockle-burs
but I could not fill a shallow bucket. (4+4)
Lamenting for my beloved,
I lay them on the road to Zhou. (4+4)

I am climbing those rocky peaks,
my horse is worn out. (4+4)
I thereupon pour liquor into this golden cup,
so that I won't be heartsick. (6+5)
I am climbing that high cliff,
my horse is sick and worn out. (4+4)
I pour liquor into this (rhino-) horn cup,
so that I won't be heartsick. (6+5)

I am climbing that rocky hill,
my horse becomes disabled. (4+4)
My groom becomes sick.
I cry, Alas! How wretched! (4+4)

(4. Shi Jing Poem Poem #4: Trees with Drooping Branches [4+4] x 6)

The south has trees with drooping branches,
cloth-creeper brambles bind them.
Pleasure to our lord!
Fortunate actions soothe him.
The south has trees with drooping branches,
cloth-creeper brambles cover them.
Pleasure to our lord!
Fortunate actions protect him.
The south has trees with drooping brances,
cloth-creeper brambles entwine them.
Pleasure to our lord!
Fortunate actions fulfil him.

(5. Shi Jing Poem Poem #5: Locusts [3+3+4+3] x 3)

Locust wings are humming,
May your descendants be numerous.

Locust wings are whirring.
May your descendents form an endless line.

Locust wings are buzzing.
May your descendents remain together.

(6. Repeats lyrics of #1)

(7. Repeats lyrics of #2)

(8. Repeats lyrics of #3)

(9. Repeats lyrics of #4)

(10. Repeats lyrics of #5)

Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1. Guan Ju Qu 關雎曲
42402.191 關雎 Guan Ju does not mention a qin melody
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2. Tuning and mode
Taigu Yiyin does not group melodies by tuning or mode.
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3. Image: osprey flying
This image is from the website of Mayo Park in North Carolina.
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4. Original preface
Not yet online.
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5. Music and lyrics
The original lyrics for the first five poems of the Shi Jing are:

關關雎鳩，在河之州。窈窕淑女，君子好逑。
參差荇菜，左右流之。窈窕淑女，寤寐求之。
求之不得，寤寐思服。悠哉悠哉，輾轉反側。
參差荇菜，左右採之。窈窕淑女，琴瑟友之。
參差荇菜，左右芼之。窈窕淑女，鐘鼓樂之。
葛之覃兮，施於中谷。維葉萋萋，黃鳥于飛。集於灌木，其鳴喈喈。
葛之覃兮，施於中谷。維葉莫莫，是刈是濩。為絺為綌，服之無斁。
言告師氏，言告言歸。薄污我私，薄浣我衣。害浣害否，歸寧父母。
採採卷耳，不勇傾筐。嗟我懷人，寘彼周行。
陟彼崔嵬，我馬虺聵。我姑酌彼金罍，維以不永懷。
陟彼高崗，我馬玄黃。我姑酌彼兕觥，維以不永傷。
陟彼砠矣，我馬瘏矣。我僕痡矣，雲何吁矣。
南有樛木，葛藟累之。樂只君子，福履綏之。
南有樛木，葛藟荒之。樂只君子，福履將之。
南有樛木，葛藟榮之。樂只君子，福履成之。
螽斯羽，詵詵兮。宜爾子孫，振振兮。
螽斯羽，薨薨兮。宜爾子孫，繩繩兮。
螽斯羽，揖揖兮。宜爾子孫，蟄蟄兮。

同前二疊。
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6. Qin and se zithers
Although the 25-string se zither is no longer played, qin and se together remain today a symbol of marital harmony. Thus my wedding announcement included the calligraphy Qin Se He Ming (Qin and se resound together).
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