"剑器词" - Jian Qi Ci (Tang Dynasty Military Poem)

This is a Tang dynasty military poem, from an anonymous author. The poem was discovered preserved in the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang (along with hundreds of others). This version is one of many sung by Jiang Jiakeng (姜嘉锵), a famous celebrity singer and actor honored with the title of "China's Number 1 Singer of Ancient Poetry" (中国古诗词演唱第一人) and National Treasure Level-singer. This particular recording was recorded in 1992. Notes on translation: The name of the song translates as "Sword Song/Poem," but is more specific than that in reality. 剑器, in Tang-era poetic usage, doesn't simply denote swords, but a ritualized and aestheticized image of swords in motion. The term evokes sword dances (剑器舞), and the title could be interpreted as "a poem to go along with a sword dance." The word 浑脱, too, reflects a specific type of Tang-era sword dance, and is likely a barbarian loanword referring to armored soldiers. Similar imagery is seen in the lines 「合如花焰秀，散若电光开」with the image of formation and dispersion almost choreographical. The language of the poem itself reflects lots of barbarian and Central Asian influences, especially in 「譬如鹊打雁，左右悉皆穿」, the image of a magpie striking a flock of geese more characteristic of horseback archery culture than traditional Chinese martial poetry. (Note that 词, while later meaning specifically the ci style of poetry, just meant a song-poem during the Tang.) See Du Fu's "Watching the Sword Dance of Madam Gongsun's Disciple (观公孙大娘弟子舞剑器行)" (a poem cooler than its title) for added context. Whew, and if you read all that, you gotta subscribe and join the server, no? Zhonghua Town server: https://discord.gg/8EbuMDpKe8