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152 Cantonese Love Songs The green willow provokes my passion more than a sharp knife. The gold I kept beneath my pillow is all spent, I am reluctant to make excellent wine [i.e. she is reduced to great poverty], I have nothing to requite you with, Except my tears strung together like pearls. My lord, when you go home will you, for my sake, carry my tears with you? Song 80 Only One Body I have only one body; just tell me how I can I accommodate two lovers. I am happy to have two lovers, but at the same time I feel frustrated. Both of them come here night after night; and invariably they choose me. Were there only one man one night, it would be less harassing. Despite myself I am accommodating with one until he goes looking for someone else. I fear if this pestilent fellow brings me to no good end, I will bitterly regret the very first step. I am also afraid that the other fickle lover will not tolerate me much longer; For the bystanders have carried too many tales. Ah, if only I could split my heart in two, then I could become two persons; They would have no need to flare up [i.e. out of jealousy]. It would be more pleasant to me than preserved pineapple were I able to prevent my two lovers from taking vinegar [i.e. from becoming jealous].201 201 'A woman drinking vinegar' ( ~~'Ii~~r, hek cho neung ji) alludes to the story of the wife of Fong Yuen-ling (mz~) who lived during the Tong dynasty (618-907). It is said she drank a bowl of vinegar, given to her as poison, rather than allow a concubine into the house. 'A woman drinking vinegar' simply means, a jealous woman. Today the expression, to drink / take vinegar (oftl~'Ii ,haap cho) means to be jealous (as in a love affair). 152 Cantonese Love Songs The green willow provokes my passion more than a sharp knife. The gold I kept beneath my pillow is all spent, I am reluctant to make excellent wine [i.e. she is reduced to great poverty], I have nothing to requite you with, Except my tears strung together like pearls. My lord, when you go home will you, for my sake, carry my tears with you? Song 80 Only One Body I have only one body; just tell me how I can I accommodate two lovers. I am happy to have two lovers, but at the same time I feel frustrated. Both of them come here night after night; and invariably they choose me. Were there only one man one night, it would be less harassing. Despite myself I am accommodating with one until he goes looking for someone else. I fear if this pestilent fellow brings me to no good end, I will bitterly regret the very first step. I am also afraid that the other fickle lover will not tolerate me much longer; For the bystanders have carried too many tales. Ah, if only I could split my heart in two, then I could become two persons; They would have no need to flare up [i.e. out of jealousyl. It would be more pleasant to me than preserved pineapple were I able to prevent my two lovers from taking vinegar [i.e. from becoming jealousl.201 201 'A woman drinking vinegar' ( ~~'Ii~~r, hek cho neung ji) alludes to the story of the wife of Fong Yuen-ling (mz~) who lived during the Tong dynasty (618-907). It is said she drank a bowl of vinegar, given to her as poison, rather than allow a concubine into the house. 'A woman drinking vinegar' simply means, a jealous woman. Today the expression, to drink / take vinegar (oftl~'Ii , haap cho) means to be jealous (as in a love affair). ...

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