Gui Guo Yao (Song of Returning to the Homeland)
(1919)

Tonight’s moon,
Shines straight to the ends of the earth, bathing all in light,
Its clear beams do not let the green hills fade [1].
The clear stream [2] empties toward the green rapids,
The cocks’ crowing has ceased,
Horses neigh, voices murmur, and the long pavilion turns white.

[1] “Its clear beams do not let the green hills fade” — Ancient poems contain similar phrasing and imagery. For example, Zhao Ruyu of the Song dynasty wrote: “The river moon does not drift away with the flowing water; the heavenly wind ever brings the ocean tides.”
[2] “Clear stream” — According to Xiao Yongyi’s *Historical Anecdotes of Mao Zedong’s Poems* (Dongfang Press, December 1996 edition), Mao Zedong’s hometown of Shaoshan formerly belonged to Qingxi Township, and now Qingxi Town is established there, with the Qingxi Stream flowing through. The “clear stream” most likely refers to this.

Gui Guo Yao (Song of Returning to the Homeland)

Tonight’s moon,
First illuminates the world’s end completely.
Its clear light never parts from the green hills,
Yet the bright moon follows you as you go.
Across the boundless sky,
Horses neigh, voices murmur, and Chang’an turns white.

Mao Zedong’s handwritten manuscript of “Gui Guo Yao.”

Mao Zedong in 1920.