Chinese New Year: Children’s Song

Rachel Meyer

35 mins ·

It is Chinese New Year tonight. We are a bit glum here in the USA, so here is a cheerful, traditional Chinese song sung by Chinese children for many centuries. Here is my own translation (see character version below and adorable video):

In the small alleys of every street
On the tip of everyone’s tongue
First thing that comes forth
Always will be “good wishes, good wishes”

Good wishes! Good wishes!
Good wishes! Good wishes!

Winter is finishing up
Welcome news indeed
A warming spring breeze
Comes to wake up the earth

Good wishes! Good wishes!
Good wishes! Good wishes!

The stark white snow dissolves
The plum blossoms bloom
The long dark nights diminish
The rooster begins to crow

Good wishes! Good wishes!
Good wishes! Good wishes!

What difficulties we have had
All that we have endured
How the children have wished
For these signs of spring

Chinese transcript:

每条大街小巷，
每个人的嘴里
见面第一句话，
就是恭喜恭喜。

恭喜恭喜恭喜你呀
恭喜恭喜恭喜你

冬天已到尽头，
真是好的消息；
温暖的春风，
吹醒了大地。

恭喜恭喜恭喜你呀
恭喜恭喜恭喜你

皓皓冰雪溶解，
眼看梅花吐蕊
漫漫长夜过去，
听到一声鸡啼

恭喜恭喜恭喜你呀
恭喜恭喜恭喜你

經過多少困難
經歷多少磨練
多少心兒盼望
春天的消息

恭喜恭喜恭喜你呀
恭喜恭喜恭喜你