Farewell to the Old Year
别 岁
When an old friend is to go far away,
Long，long will he linger before he parts.
Though gone away, he may come back some day.
Where can we find the old year once it departs?
故人适千里， 临别尚迟迟。
人行犹可复， 岁行那可追。
May I ask whither the old year has passed?
At the end of the earth it leaves no track.
It is gone with the water flowing fast
To the East Sea and will never come back.
问岁安所之? 远在天一"涯。
已逐东流水， 赴海归无时。
Wine is warmed by our neighbors on the east
And the pork of those on the west is fat,
I'd like to have one happy day at least
So that the lean year may not be grieved at.
东邻酒初熟， 西舍彘亦肥。
且为一日欢， 慰此穷年悲。
Do not sigh for the departing old year!
Soon we shall say goodbye to New Year’s Day.
Do not look back but let them disappear,
Man will grow old and his powers decay.
勿嗟旧岁别， 行与新岁辞。
去去勿回顾， 还君老与衰。