A Poem by Chairman Mao---SHAOSHAN REVISITED

A Poem by Chairman Mao---SHAOSHAN REVISITED
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REVISITING SHAOSHAN
--a verse of eight seven-character lines
June 1959
I revisited Shaoshan on June 25,1959 after an absence of thirty-two
years.
The parting scene being dreamy , I curse the tide of past flow；
It reminds me of my native soil as was thirty-two years ago.
Red flags roused the serfs, halberd in hand, to rise in arms；
While the despots, whips were held high in their black palms.
Our heroic aspirations soar the higher for bitter sacrifice,
We dare bid Sun and Moon convert their old abode into new skies.
Waves upon waves of paddy and beans gladden our eyes,
The heroes are homebound in even mist from all sides.
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SHAOSHAN REVISITED
to the tune of Seven-Character lv Shi
On June 25, 1959, I revisited Shaoshan which I left thirty-two years
ago.
Thirty-two years ago was the time I left the native place last，
The leave-taking scene faded like a dream I carse the vanished past.
The serfs halberds amid the red flags were held aloft，
While the despot's black hand raised the whip over head oft.
Sacrifice could only rouse peopled fighting spirit and an ideal high
They dare to demand the sun and moon change their course in a new sky，
Now behold , the green crops ripple waves upon waves beyond ，
The home- bound heroes are seen in smoky twilight all around .
( June 1959 )
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version-3
Like a dim dream recalled, I curse the long-fled past -- My native soil
two and
thirty years gone by.
The red flag rouse the serf, halberd in hand, While the despot's black
talons held
his whip aloft.
Bitter sacrifice strengthens bold resolve Which dares to make sun and
moon shine in
new skies.
Happy, I see wave upon wave of paddy and beans, And all around heroes
home-bound in
the evening mist.