Boya Diao Ziqi

In Taigu Yiyin and Fengxuan Xuanpin (1539) this is a short, simple melody. My preference for the version in Xilutang Qintong (1549) caused me to break my rule of always learning the earliest published version of a melody.

For further commentary on this story see the biography of Boya as well as the introduction of Boya Diao Ziqi in Xilutang Qintong (1549). For other melodies connected to Boya see the preceding melody in the present handbook, Ting Qin Fu, which also has Boya working in Changzhou. The most famous melodies associated with him are Gao Shan and Liu Shui, both of them included in Shen Qi Mi Pu.

Original preface ⁴

As for this melody, Boya having completed his first official responsibilities (in office) at Changzhou, he went again to the old place (where he had met) Ziqi, but Ziqi had already passed away....

Translation incomplete.

Music and Lyrics ⁵
One section, with a largely syllabic setting, following the irregular pattern of the lyrics, which go 5+5, 5+7, 7, 7+7, 7+7, 5+6 (last 6 are harmonics).

Long recall last year in spring,
along the river I met a gentleman.
Now when I come to the river's edge,
I don't see the zhiyin....(translation incomplete)

Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1. Boya Diao Ziqi 伯牙吊子期
See 1549
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2. Tuning and mode
Taigu Yiyin does not organize pieces by mode.
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3. Image
None yet selected.
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4. Original Preface
The original preface begins,

按是曲，伯牙以常州守任滿，再經子期舊處，而子期已無故。。。。

The rest not yet online.
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5. Original lyrics

長憶去年春，江上相逢君。 (online someone wrote 長記去年春?)
今日到江濱，不見知音空見墳。
傷心，傷心，復傷心！傷心不忍淚如傾，
江漢為我生愁雲，一杯綠蟻奠芳草，
泉下悠悠聞不聞，從此少知音！
嘆人生再會難！
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