城市的傍晚 – Evenings in the City

There’s something melancholic about evenings in the city
When we’re on our way home from work, alone
Our silhouettes all the more dull and lonely
Against a tapestry of cars and crowds that glowed

They walk side by side, bikes parked on the side of the road
Huddled over stalls over which wisps of steam rose 
Their faces youthful in the street lamp’s glow
And their smiles bright with dreams of tomorrow

I watch as they walk away
Till their silhouettes fade
Till the night turns to haze
You and I, we once had that
The dream that never quite came true
That gave way to mundane regrets

There’s something melancholic about evenings in the city
When we’re on our way home from work, alone
Our silhouettes all the more dull and lonely
Against a tapestry of cars and crowds that glowed

I watch as they walk away
Till their silhouettes fade
Till the night turns to haze
You and I, we once had that
The dream that never quite came true
That gave way to mundane regrets

Dear stranger
Look far and wide, while the stars are still bright
Dear stranger
Take a look around you, while there is still time

There’s something melancholic about evenings in the city
When we’re on our way home from work, alone
Our silhouettes all the more dull and lonely
Against a tapestry of cars and crowds that glowed

Original

城市的傍晚总使人伤感
当你一个人下班
车流和人海汇成一片斑斓
我们看起来更黯淡

他们并著肩单车停在路边
冒着热气的夜摊
灯光勾勒出一双年轻的脸
笑容都关于明天

我看他们走远 到模糊不见 到夜色如烟
那也曾是你我 未竟的美满 平凡的遗憾

城市的傍晚总使人伤感
当你一个人下班
车流和人海汇成一片斑斓
我们看起来更黯淡

我看他们走远 到模糊不见 到夜色如烟
那也曾是你我 未竟的美满 平凡的遗憾

亲爱的陌生人 要看看远方 趁星辰还亮
亲爱的陌生人 要看看身旁 趁岁月还长

城市的傍晚总使人伤感
当你一个人下班
车流和人海汇成一片斑斓
我们看起来更黯淡

Translator’s Notes

I think this song perfectly encapsulates the anxiety and sorrow of a young adult who is tired, fearful and disappointed with the way their life has turned out. It also captures that feeling of alienation that can result from just living and working in a city. I have definitely felt like this at times, tired and worn out as I tried to push my way through a congested subway station, watching young high school students chat and giggle excitedly in a corner of the train and wondering what happened to that young, hopeful girl that I used to be at seventeen.