巴山楚水淒涼地，

In the inanimated backwater of Basan and Chushui,

二十三年棄置身。

I had been an exile living there alone for twenty-three years.

懷舊空吟聞笛賦，

Only flute and verses helped me reminisce about the old friends of the past,

到鄉翻似爛柯人。

Now I am full of unfamiliarity with my hometown like a stranger

沉舟側畔千帆過 ,

Besides a sunk boat, thousands of ships had already sailed by

病樹前頭萬木春

In front of a shrivelled tree, numerous plant covers still propagating

今日聽君歌一曲，

How can I return the favor of the verses you gave me today?

暫憑杯酒長精神。