Ballad of Mulan
Mulan finds her father’s name on a list of men called to serve in the army. She has no older brother to take his place, so she decides to go herself. This Chinese poem follows her journey to war and back home to her family.
Content warning: This poem mentions death in battle and animals being prepared for slaughter.
Hong Kong Music Miniature No. 3007
The sound of one sigh after another,
As Mulan weaves at the doorway.
No sound of the loom and shuttle,
Only that of the girl lamenting.
Ask her of whom she thinks,
Ask her for whom she longs.
"There is no one I think of,
There is no one I long for.
Last night I saw the army notice,
The Khan is ordering a masscalling a great draft –
A dozen volumes of army listsbattle rolls,
Each one with my father's name.
My father has no grown-up son,
And I have no elder brother.
I'm willing to buy a horse and saddle,
To go to battle in my father's place."
She buys a fine steed at the east market;
A saddle and blanket at the west market;
A bridle at the south market;
And a long whip at the north market.
She takes leave of her parents at dawn,
To camp beside the Yellow River at dusk.
No sound of her parents hailing their girl,
Just the rumbling waters of the Yellow River.
She leaves the Yellow River at dawn,
To reach the Black Mountains by dusk.
No sound of her parents hailing their girl,
Just the cries of barbarian cavalry in the Yan hills.
Ten thousand miles she rode in war,
Crossing passes and mountains as if on a wing.
On the northern air comes the sentry's gong,
Cold light shines on her coat of steel.
The general dead after a hundred battles,
The warriors return after ten years.
They return to see the emperor, called the Son of Heaventhe Son of Heaven,
Who sits in the Hall of Brilliance.
Twelve ranks of honour reward her deeds,The rolls of merit spin a dozen times,Explanation: The Chinese line describes twelve ranks of military honours for Mulan’s service. “Spin a dozen times” does not mean that the written rolls physically turn.
Rewards in the hundreds and thousands.
The Khan asks her what she desires,
"I've no need for a post as an official at courtthe post of a gentleman official,
I ask for the swiftest horse,
To carry me back to my hometown."
Her parents hear their girl is returninghearing their girl returns,
And go to the edge of townOut to the suburbs to welcome her back.
Her elder sister hears her sister is returningElder sister hearing her sister returns,
And touches up her blushAdjusts her rouge by the doorway.
Her little brother hears his sister is returningLittle brother hearing his sister returns,
And sharpensSharpens his knife for pigs and lamb.
"I open my east chamber door,
And sit on my west chamber bed.
I take off my battle cloak,
And put on my old -time clothes.
I adjust my wispy hair at the window sill,
And apply my pale beigebisque makeup by the mirror.
I step out to see my comrades-in-arms,
They are all surprised and astounded:
'We travelled twelve years together,
Yet didn't realise Mulan was a lady!'"
The male harebuck bounds here and there,
Whilst the female harethe doe has narrow eyes.
But when the two hares run side by side,
How can you tell the female from the male?