驿鼓催霜 · Frost Beneath the Post Drum

At a frostbound northern post road before dawn, a traveler tightens one rolled bamboo map and leaves beneath a single oil lamp. A measured guzheng leads the road outward; xiao keeps the cold air open, and the watch drum stays far behind.

Theme: Farewell journeys Lead instrument: Guzheng

[引子] 霜痕上驿墙 孤灯照行囊 一卷竹图收袖底 更鼓隔寒冈

[主歌] 朔风掠短墙 残烛守空堂 解鞍未忍回头看 马影落苍茫 此去关山远 谁知道路长 但将竹卷随身束 不问几时还

[副歌] 驿鼓三声霜满鞍 一灯引我出重关 若问此身何日返 春水东流到江南

[主歌] 晓色侵征袂 寒云压古原 回看驿门灯未灭 犹照旧苔痕 行到荒城外 风鸣野戍门 袖中一卷无言地图 展向白沙昏

[副歌] 驿鼓三声霜满鞍 一灯引我出重关 若问此身何日返 春水东流到江南

[桥段] 我谓孤灯为我明 回看方知照归程 纵使关山遮望眼 梦随灯影入乡城

[尾声] 霜痕上驿墙 孤灯照空堂 待到春风开驿柳 归骑过斜阳