"Farewell".

"Farewell", the tune is taken from the American song "Dream of Home and Mother" composed by John P. Ordway. "Dream of Home and Mother" is an "entertainer's song" that was popular in the United States in the late 19th century. It was sung by a white actor wearing blackface and playing the role of a black man. The music was also created in the style of black songs. Ordway is the leader of the "Odway Artists Group" and has written many artist songs.

While Li Shutong was staying in Japan, Japanese lyricist Inudo Qiuxi filled in the lyrics of a song called "Traveler's Sorrow" using the melody of "Dreaming of Home and Mother". "Farewell" written by Li Shutong in 1915 is based on "Traveler's Sorrow" by Quan Tong Qiuxi. Shen Xingong also wrote a song "Last Night's Dream" based on "Dream of Home and Mother", but in the end it was not as bright as Li Shutong's "Farewell".

Extended information

Li Shutong's version of lyrics:

Li Shutong's handwriting of "Farewell" seems not to have been preserved. The first published version of "Farewell" was found in "Fifty Famous Chinese Songs" co-edited by Qiu Menghen and Feng Zikai. This book contains thirteen songs composed or composed by Li Shutong. Published by Kaiming Bookstore in August 1927. Some people say that this book was published in 1921, which is wrong. The font of the lyrics in this book is not standard printing, but handwritten. The person who wrote it is the editor Feng Zikai.

Outside the long pavilion, beside the ancient road, the green grass reaches the sky. The evening breeze carries the faint sound of willow flutes, and the sun sets outside the mountains.

At the end of the sky, in the corner of the earth, there are only a few close friends. A ladle of turbid wine has exhausted all the remaining joy. Don’t sleep in the cold tonight.

Outside the long pavilion, beside the ancient road, the green grass reaches the sky. The evening breeze carries the faint sound of willow flutes, and the sun sets outside the mountains.