Analysis of "清平乐·村居" - Classical Chinese Poetry

Introduction

"清平乐·村居" (Qīngpíng Yuè·Cūnjū, "Pure Serene Music·Country Life") is a famous lyric poem (词 cí) by Xin Qiji (辛弃疾, 1140–1207), a prominent poet and military leader of the Southern Song Dynasty. Known for his patriotic and pastoral works, Xin Qiji captures the simplicity and warmth of rural life in this piece. The poem reflects the Confucian ideal of harmony within family and nature, offering a peaceful counterpoint to the turbulent political era in which it was written.

The Poem: Full Text and Translation

Original Text and Translation

茅檐低小，
Máo yán dī xiǎo,
The thatched roof is low and small,

溪上青青草。
Xī shàng qīng qīng cǎo.
By the stream, green grass grows lush and tall.

醉里吴音相媚好，
Zuì lǐ Wú yīn xiāng mèi hǎo,
Drunk, they chat in soft southern tones so sweet,

白发谁家翁媪？
Bái fà shéi jiā wēng ǎo?
Who are this white-haired couple, so tender and neat?

大儿锄豆溪东，
Dà ér chú dòu xī dōng,
The eldest son hoes beans east of the stream,

中儿正织鸡笼。
Zhōng ér zhèng zhī jī lóng.
The middle son weaves a chicken coop, it seems.

最喜小儿亡赖，
Zuì xǐ xiǎo ér wú lài,
But the youngest is the dearest, so playful and free,

溪头卧剥莲蓬。
Xī tóu wò bō lián péng.
Lying by the stream, peeling lotus seeds carelessly.

Line-by-Line Analysis

1. "The thatched roof is low and small" – The humble cottage reflects rural simplicity, emphasizing harmony with nature rather than material wealth.

2. "By the stream, green grass grows lush and tall" – The vibrant grass symbolizes vitality and the idyllic beauty of the countryside.

3. "Drunk, they chat in soft southern tones" – The couple’s affectionate murmurs in the Wu dialect (spoken in Jiangnan) evoke intimacy and contentment.

4. "Who are this white-haired couple?" – The rhetorical question invites readers to admire their enduring love and peaceful old age.

5-6. The sons' labor – The older sons represent diligence and filial duty, core Confucian values. Their work sustains the family.

7-8. The youngest child’s playfulness – The word 亡赖 (wú lài, "mischievous") is used endearingly. His carefree lotus-seed peeling contrasts with his brothers’ toil, highlighting the innocence of childhood.

Themes and Symbolism

• Family Harmony: The poem idealizes a self-sufficient, loving household, embodying Confucian familial piety.
• Nature and Simplicity: Rural imagery (stream, grass, lotus) underscores a Daoist appreciation for unpretentious living.
• Joy in Small Pleasures: The couple’s tipsy laughter and the youngest’s play celebrate life’s modest delights.

Cultural Context

Written during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279), a time of political strife with northern invaders, Xin Qiji often expressed longing for national unity. However, "Qīngpíng Yuè·Cūnjū" diverges from his usual patriotic fervor, instead offering a pastoral escape. The poem resonates with the Chinese literary tradition of tiányuán shī (田园诗, "pastoral poetry"), which praises rural life as morally purer than urban corruption.

Conclusion

Xin Qiji’s "Qīngpíng Yuè·Cūnjū" is a tender vignette of rural joy, where family bonds and nature intertwine. Its enduring appeal lies in its universal celebration of contentment, reminding modern readers—across cultures—of the beauty in life’s simple moments. In an age of haste, the poem whispers: happiness thrives where love and labor meet under a low thatched roof.