Work-life‘s been busy, but I’m hopeful that a peaceful pause is on its way…
A little fresh air, a little quiet, and a little time for me. 🍁💛
So, here comes a song that gently reminds us of stepping away from the city and recharge with warmth and gratitude. 🌾
Slow Down
English version
by Gene Hsu
Too tired to keep a smile in place,
Too busy even breathing feels like a weight.
At last I’ve slipped away from this restless city
Walking on my own, no one expects a reply,
No streetlight asks how I’ll mend what’s breaking inside.
Let me vanish from my story for a moment,
Forget the name I carry.
What does it matter? Nothing really matters.
Only the air, never asking me to prove my worth.
For now, I just want to hold
A gentle silence between me and the world.
Crowds are easy,
Quietness is rare
Only then do I dare to ask myself
Where I come from,
Where I’m meant to go.
Too tired to keep a smile in place,
Too busy even breathing feels like a weight.
At last the city has lost my signal completely.
Finally, I don’t need a reason for every breath
I can exhale without trying to be impressive.
A tiny space opens in the cracks between people,
Letting me wander slow and empty,
Letting time slip from my fingers.
What does it matter? Nothing really matters.
Only the air never asked me to prove my worth.
For now, I just want to keep
A quiet distance from this world.
Crowds are easy,
Quietness is rare
Only then do I dare to ask myself
Where I come from,
Where I’m meant to go.
Too many things I’m told to mind,
Too many people I try to hold,
Living always on careful toes.
What does it matter? Nothing really matters.
Only the air never asked me to try so hard.
Let me drift close and far
From this dear world of mine.
Crowds are easy,
Quietness is rare
And now I don’t ask myself anymore
Where I come from,
Where I’m meant to go—
I’m too tired to even care
Where I am.
Original Song lyrics in Mandarin (Traditional Chinese)
作詞 Lyricist：林夕
作曲 Composer：游政豪
演唱 Singer：A-Lin
累得不想有表情 忙得厭煩了呼吸
難得和這城市中斷聯繫
在一個人的途上 途人不會怪我不回信息
路燈不會問我 有問題怎麼處理
讓我在我的人生裡消失 把來歷都忘記
什麼關係 都沒關係
只有空氣 不用爭氣
暫時跟這個世界保持安靜的距離
熱鬧容易 難得孤寂
我才捨不得問自己
從哪裡來 又要往哪裡去
累得不想有表情 忙得厭煩了呼吸
難得和這城市中斷聯繫
終於不用有動機 喘口氣不用那麼有出息
難得在人際的夾縫裡找到空隙
讓我慢條斯理無所事事 把時間都忘記
什麼關係 都沒關係
只有空氣 不用爭氣
暫時跟這個世界保持安靜的距離
熱鬧容易 難得孤寂
我才捨不得問自己
從哪裡來 又要往哪裡去
總是有太多事需要顧忌
總會有太多人需要惦記
總是要活得太小心翼翼
什麼關係 都沒關係
只有空氣 不用爭氣
容許我和這親愛的世界若即若離
熱鬧容易 難得孤寂
只有我不追問自己
從哪裡來又要往哪裡去
甚至懶得知道我在哪裡
Instagram post about this song
About the singer and linguist
Gene Hsu, a singer-songwriter-ethnomusicologist and professional interpreter and translator. Gene is engaged in intercultural and interdisciplinary research in music and translation. She has presented her papers at academic and professional conferences around the world. Furthermore, her research draws attention to the historical and intercultural significance of traditional languages, song writing and song translation. Gene hopes her work can contribute to bridge intercultural and language gaps and towards better understanding and world peace.
Read more: Slow Down 難得孤寂
For more information about Gene’s research and work, please visit https://versevoice.org/research/ and https://versevoice.org/song-translation/
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