yue liang dai biao wo de xin [the moon represents my heart]1080

[please view in HD] [lyrics below]

Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin (月亮代表我的心) - normally translated as “The Moon Represents My Heart” - is the most famous pop-love song in China and much of Asia. According to Wikipedia: “The lyrics to the song were written by Sun Yi (孫儀) and the music was composed by Weng Ching-hsi (翁清溪). It was first sung by Chen Fen-lan (陳芬蘭) around 1972, but was made famous by Teresa Teng later in the 1970s”.

I became aware of this song while studying Mandarin. I found it unbelievable - based on Internet research - that no major English-speaking singer has ever recorded this song; amazingly, it remains largely unknown in North America.

I decided to attempt a poetic-lyrical translation. Translating poetic Chinese is challenging. The language itself is poetic, vague, and extremely efficient - expressing deep ideas in very few words. I strived to preserve the original lyric's meter and rhyme scheme, syllable-by-syllable, accent-by-accent. It is not, however, a verbatim or word-by-word translation; instead, I wanted to lyrically convey the meaning of the Mandarin lyric.

To the purist - I apologize, respecting the opinion that the original Mandarin is so beautiful that an English translation is completely unnecessary. I remain one of you.

Musically, I chose a slower tempo than the original; so slow that it took on a slightly more waltz-like country feel. Again, apologies where required.

The vocalist is the amazing Sherri Chenard. Please take some time to listen to our original material - from the album "Sherri C, across my Desert Soul", posted on this YouTube Playlist -

Recognition of Copyright: According to Wikipedia: Copyright of this song is held by the Li Ge Record Company (麗歌唱片公司). Another site mentioned Nichole Records. My use of this material, and this recording, is strictly non-commercial in nature; it has not been published or distributed, and, for this YouTube posting, no financial gain is expected. I do, however, claim copyright (2014) for this English translation.

The Moon Represents My Heart
(yueliang daibiao wo de xin)

You ask how deeply I adore?
I love you so much more.
You . . . I endear,
My love sincere,
The Moon, reflects my heart.

You ask how deeply I adore?
I love you so much more.
My love won’t fade,
There’s a warmth that stayed,
The Moon resembles my heart.

Bring, bring just one soft kiss
Deep love once touched my heart
Long, long for one you miss
In times of love, . . . . apart.

You ask how deeply I adore?
I love you so much more.
Think a thought of me,
Then tonight go see . . . .
The Moon become my heart.

Bring, bring . . . .

You ask how deeply I adore ?
I just love you so much more.
There’s a kindness here,
There’s a truth so dear,
The Moon, it mirrors my heart.
Think a thought of me,
Then tonight go see . . . .
The Moon become my heart.
You . . . I endear,
My love sincere
The Moon, represents my heart.

Translation Copyrighted by Steven Wilcox Oct 28, 2014

[francinewhite]

very relaxing to listen is so clear and gentle

[nxxi]

I love it.  Teresa Teng would be proud.  This song will forever be the most loved Chinese song all over ASIA.  Thanks again, for your rendition.

[AbadyonYT]

This is really beautiful and a joy to listen to. Great job.

[Les_h_drums]

Very nice, played with Sheri years ago, great talent!

[julianneleong]

it took me a moment to get used to the different tempo, but what an awesome take on the song. Love the lyrical non-verbatim translation and definitely want to hear more of Sherri's singing - Great voice!

[mattcranmac]

Great musical interpretation of original ...way to go for expanding some horizons.Nice to hear Sherri's voice again.
All the best