Really - this song is popular because it speaks to a lot of us.
It speaks to ME.
Pardon my translation. I want this to reach out to more people... and this is a real story.
愛得太遲 歌手：古巨基 作曲：楊鎮邦 填詞：林夕
我過去 那死黨 早晚共對 My good friend and I were together day and night in the past 各也紮職以後 沒法暢聚 After we started working, we can do that no more 而終於相約到 但無言共對 疏淡如水 When we eventually get together, we have nothing to say to each other We no longer feel for each other -
日夜做 見爸爸 剛好想呻 After working day and night, I saw my dad and just wanted to complain - 卻霎眼 看出他多了皺紋 But suddenly, I see more wrinkles on him 而他的蒼老感 是從來未覺 太內疚擔心 I have never sensed that he has gotten older I feel regretful and worried...
最心痛是 愛得太遲 Love that comes too late is the most painful 有些心意 不可等某個日子 Certain gestures cannot wait till the right day 盲目地發奮 忙忙忙其實自私 It is actually selfish to work and keep oneself busy blindly 夢中也習慣 有壓力要我得志 I am used to it even in my dreams, that I am expected to succeed 最可怕是 愛需要及時 只差一秒 心聲都已變歷史 The most scary thing is, love needs to come at the right time One second passes and all would have become history 忙極亦放肆 見我愛見的相知 No matter how busy I am I still want to meet the one I love 要抱要吻要怎麼也好 偏要推說等下一次 To hug, to kiss, to do whatever It has to be delayed till the next time
我也覺我體質彷似下降 看了症 得到是別要太忙 I also felt that I am getting weaker The doctor said that I shouldn't be working too hard 而影碟都掃光 但從來未看 因有事趕 I have bought all the DVDs But I have never watched them, because there are things to do 日夜做 儲的錢都應該夠 到聖誕 正好講跟我白頭 I worked day and night, I should have saved enough money When Christmas came, I proposed to her 誰知她開了口 未能挨下去 已恨我很久 But she said, she couldn't wait for me already And she had hated me for a long time
錯失太易 愛得太遲 我怎想到 她忍不到那日子 It is too easy to miss - my love came too late How would I have thought, that she could not wait till that day 盲目地發奮 忙忙忙從來未知 幸福會掠過 再也沒法說鍾意 Working hard blindly, as I was keeping myself busy, I never knew That happiness would fly by, and I cannot say I like her again 愛一個字 也需要及時 只差一秒 心聲都已變歷史 This word 'love', also has to be at the right time One second passes and all would have become history 為何未放肆 見我愛見的相知 Why didn't I daringly try to meet the one I love 要抱要吻要怎麼也好 不要相信一切有下次 To hug, to kiss, to do whatever Do not believe that there will always be a 'next time'
相擁我所愛又花幾多秒 How many seconds does it take to hug someone I love? 這幾秒 能夠做到又有多少 How much can I do in these few seconds? 未算少 足夠遺憾忘掉 Not little at all Enough to regret and forget...
多少抱憾 多少過路人 太懂估計 卻不懂愛錫自身 How much regrets, how many passer-bys Know how to calculate too well, but does not know how to take care of themselves 人人在發奮 想起他朝都興奮 Everyone is working hard; it is exciting to just think about the future 但今晚未過 你要過也很吸引 But tonight is not over yet - If you want it to be over, that is enticing too 縱不信運 你不過是人 理想很遠 愛於咫尺卻在等 Although you do not believe in destiny, you are still just human Your ambitions are far-fetched, love is right next to you yet it is waiting 來日別操心 趁你有能力開心 Don't worry too much about your future Live a happy life while you still can 世界有太多東西發生 不要等到天上俯瞰 There are too many things happening in this world Do not wait until you have to watch from heaven...
Hey please nothing to do with my state of mind. I am just naturally fond of songs like this.
And I am rather amused about what people have been talking about these days (random, baseless, nonsensical rumours and teases that if Grace is around I think she will kill all of us)... Though, while being very open about my past, present, life philosophies and bottom line such that people do not find me interesting at all (this is my strategy of keeping myself rumour-free - and I don't just say those 曖昧 'NOOOO-es' to rumours about myself that came to me - I WARN those people about consequences :P), I managed to guard other people's history pretty well. I am rather proud of myself :)
It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.
For you made me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the work of your hands. How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts! The senseless man does not know, fools do not understand, that though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they will forever be destroyed.
But you, O Lord, are exalted forever.
For surely your enemies, O Lord, surely your enemies will perish; all evildoers will be scattered. You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured upon me. My eyes have seen the defeat of my adversaries; my ears have heard the rout of my wicked foes.
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."
It is originally in Cantonese. Someone translated it into English and the rendering is amazing.
Unreserved Love
I've always been told love won't survive Promises will turn into lies The world just thinks love comes and passes through It never lasts pure and true
But I still believe love can last Is your unfailing love that gives me rest You are there when I needed you most I'll never walk all alone
On the cross you died and took away my curse Love so wondrous no one ever could deserve Your bleeding hands proved your love unreserved You're my greatest joy and treasure on the earth
Make my life a fragrant offering I pray Help me Lord to serve you truly everyday Through tears and joy I'll give you all my praise Let the whole world know your love and grace!
This is an interesting song though. I have posted the lyrics once, but I have not posted the videos before. There are 2 good versions (both using the same music track):
From Mainland China: Cute animations, but unclear words (simp.):
From Taiwan: Clear words (trad.), but the presentation isn't that great.
Key Vocab: 症候群 = Syndrome 免疫 = Immune (adj.) 內分泌失調 = Hormonal disorder 過濾性病毒 = Some kind of virus 三字經 = Swear words 啞鈴 = Dumbbells 食慾不振 = Can't eat 歇斯底裡 = Hysteria 四肢萎縮 = Muscular dystrophy 才華洋溢 = Very talented 形影不離 = Always together 兩人三腳 = A game where two players tie two legs, one from each player, together and they are supposed to walk 連體嬰 = Siamese twins 示威抗議 = Protesting 海峽兩岸 = China and Taiwan 衣索匹亞 = Ethiopia 厭倦 = Getting sick (of things) 疲憊 = Tired 心悸 = Palpitations 夢囈 = Talking while sleeping 精神不濟 = Lack concentration 瞳孔放大 = Enlarged pupils 顫動 = Shaken
And did those feet in ancient time Walk upon England’s mountains green And was the holy Lamb of God, On England’s pleasant pastures seen
And did the Countenance Divine, Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here, Among these dark Satanic Mills?
Bring me my Bow of burning gold; Bring me my Arrows of desire: Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold: Bring me my Chariot of fire!
I will not cease from Mental Fight, Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, Till we have built Jerusalem, In England’s green & pleasant Land.
>God Save The Queen<
God save our gracious Queen, Long live our noble Queen, God save the Queen: Send her victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us; God save the Queen
Thy choicest gifts in store, On her be pleased to pour, Long may she reign: May she defend our laws, And ever give us cause To sing with heart and voice, God save the Queen
10 things that a modern middle-class Singaporean should know how to do:
1. Speaking, reading and writing English 2. Speaking, reading and writing in his/her mother tongue (Chinese for us) 3. Use a computer (to do whatever) 4. Do housework (laundry, dishes, ironing, floor, etc...) 5. Cooking (important life skill, simple edible dishes) 6. Driving (for doing grocery and esp. emergencies) 7. Cycling (important life skill, for going to the bank or buying lunch) 8. Swimming (important life skill) 9. First aid (important life skill, for saving lives, including your own) 10. Good interpersonal skills
Obviously, because the list comes from me, I score a 90% :P I have bad interpersonal skills.
FCF played this during sermon while I was still in Baltimore and I heard it again in the film 'In America' that I bought for 3 pounds. The lyrics come from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:
Ecclesiastes 3 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Shireen posted a video of the song 'I Know Him So Well' from Chess the Musical - which reminded me about it!
I have known Chess since secondary school. There is a band score for the medley of songs from Chess and we were always playing it. The musical didn't really take on Phantom of the Opera fame; though every now and then they will revive it for a few nights. Actually I didn't know that it was revived again recently in London with Josh Groban!
'Anthem' - one of my favourites - is sung as the finale and at the end of Act I:
ANTHEM
[THE RUSSIAN] No man, no madness Though their sad power may prevail Can possess, conquer, my country's heart They rise to fail
She is eternal Long before nations' lines were drawn When no flags flew, when no armies stood My land was born
And you ask me why I love her Through wars, death and despair She is the constant We who don't care And you wonder will I leave her -- but how?
I cross over borders but I'm still there now
How can I leave her? Where would I start? Let man's petty nations tear themselves apart My land's only borders lie around my heart _____________________________________ Oh and I went hiking yesterday. We went to Annapolis Rock - which is on part of the Appalachian Trail in Maryland. It was nice - and we were extremely lucky because, if we had went 1 hour later, we would have been caught in a downpour which lasted till today. Follow this link for the photos (signing in not required):
Singapore should come up with something like that to motivate Singaporeans, especially overseas Singaporeans, to not die when crazy things hit. Such as finals (or whatever people call them) and experiments that do not work.
(I don't think our national songs are that motivating... I tried but they don't really work :P You can try them yourselves...)
If you like this song, you can make Singapore = 東方之珠 and the contents will still work. It is just that the lyrics are in Cantonese.
It psyches me up because the lyrics suggest that, we - the people of this city - will continue to survive and own the world through our optimism, perseverance, courage, hard work and resilience no matter what kind of crap that we are currently going through.
And yes, I identify with this city, and thus I should persevere, work hard and fight through challenges bravely with a smile - and we will all celebrate success and make our mark in the world.
Look at how successful Singapore and Hong Kong are now - we have done it before, and we will always be able to do it, because these characteristics are within us, are part of us no matter where we are now, because we are born in these two cities.
(I have a bit of identity crisis - sometimes I speak to Singaporeans as a Hongkonger, most times when I speak to Hongkongers I am a Singaporean, and most of the time I introduce myself as a Singaporean - but some roots thing is still there...)
I don't really like the Mandarin version; that is basically just singing praise for HK...
And we finally, finally, finally found a place to stay together in Cambridge! It is in Cherry Hinton, some distance off Cambridge town centre, but it is near Addenbrookes hospital. So it is good! :)
Oh and like yesterday I didn't dig this up on purpose too :P
Throughout my life I have heard repeated themes regarding (usually younger) family members who are Christians refusing to eat food that are offered to the ancesters by other non-Christian members of the family, causing problems especially within the older generations. This is what Paul told the Corinthians in the bible:
1 Corinthians 10:23 - 11:1 '"Everything is permissible" - but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible" - but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it."
If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if anyone says to you, "This has beeen offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake - the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience? If I take part in a meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God - even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.'
This is pretty deep - especially the conscience part - it took me a while to get it even with the help of notes. Though if you are interested as to why Paul wrote these letters, refer to wiki - English: First Epistle to the Corinthians Chinese: 哥林多前書
Haha so what conclusions can you draw from here? Is the answer a definite no / a grey-area no / and most importantly why is it a no? With reference to the background of Paul's letters, what message is he trying to put forward? :)
