“蒲公英的约定 (A Dandelion’s Promise)” by Jay Chou 周杰伦
****
Original Chinese lyrics
****小學籬芭旁的蒲公英
是記憶裡有味道的風景
午睡操場傳來蟬的聲音
多少年後也還是很好聽將願望折紙飛機寄成信
因為我們等不到那流星
認真投決定命運的硬幣
卻不知道到底能去哪裡一起長大的約定
那樣清晰
打過勾的我相信
說好要一起旅行
是妳如今 唯一堅持的任性在走廊上罰站打手心
我們卻注意窗邊的蜻蜓
我去到哪裡妳都跟很緊
很多的夢在等待著進行一起長大的約定
那樣清晰
打過勾的我相信
說好要一起旅行
是妳如今 唯一堅持的任性一起長大的約定
那樣真心
與妳聊不完的曾經
而我已經分不清
妳是友情
還是錯過的愛情****
English translation
****The dandelion next to the fence in primary school.
It was a scenery that had flavour in my memory.
Taking an afternoon nap,cicada noise comes from the playground.
After many years, it still sounds good.Fold up the dreams into a paper airplane and send it as a letter.
Because we can’t wait for that meteor.
I seriously throw the coin that decides fate.
Yet I don’t know where I can go.A promise we made when growing up together.
It’s so clear.
I believe it since we made a pinky swear.
We said we would go on holiday together.
Nowadays it’s your only wilful persistence.In the corridor we stand as punishment and have our hands
slapped.
Yet we pay attention to the dragonfly by the window.
Wherever I go you follow very closely.
There are a lot of dreams waiting to be done.A promise we made when growing up together.
It’s so clear.
I believe it since we made a pinky swear.
We said we would go on holiday together.
Nowadays it’s your only wilful persistence.A promise we made when growing up together.
It’s so sincere.
The one time I couldn’t stop chatting to you.
And I already can’t tell the difference.
Whether you are the friendship
or the love I missed out on.
#190715#
That night while I was having dinner at home, I suddenly heard a voice say “蒲公英的约定” pretty much out of the blue. I was aware that it was the name of an old ballad song by Jay Chou (released in 2007). Just when I was about to dismiss it as a random remark from an unknown voice in my head, I suddenly recalled something that I actually find meaningful. 蒲公英 is the Chinese name for dandelion. I was suddenly reminded of my Korea trip in 2018 last year when I made a special visit to the 33 Apartment Café at Hannam-dong. It wasn’t an ordinary café. It was special because Taenggu herself had personally dropped by at this café for a cup of coffee before. Wanting to chase my lost memories of the time I could have spent with her when she was there then, I made a quick trip to the café on my own on the last day of my trip.
It was one of the most beautiful and therapeutic times I have had. I didn’t really remember anything specific about Taenggu when she was here previously. But I felt at peace with myself as I sat at the exact same spot where she sat while sipping on my cup of hot mocha.
When I left the café, I was blessed with the beautiful sight of several white dandelions flying in the air. It was a magical moment to behold and to be treasured for the rest of my life.
Read more about my experience at the café in detail at this post Seoul Travels – Chasing Memories With Taenggu #2: The Visit To 33 Apartment Cafe.
That voice which mentioned the Jay Chou song to me, could it be suggesting that the white dandelions that I saw that day were a sign of a silent promise I might have unconsciously made with Taenggu during my visit to the cafe? The promise we might have made with each other was witnessed and validated by the presence of the white dandelions.
As time passes, would you still remember our silent pinky promise?
