[Poem] SONG OF THE RAINY NIGHT BELL (THE CICADAS’ SORROWFUL CRY) - A Landmark Ci Poem of Parting and Yearning

“Song of the Rainy Night Bell (Chill Cicadas, Piercing),” often shortened to “Rain on the Bells,” ranks among the most renowned works of the Song Dynasty poet Liu Yong. Belonging to the ‘ci’ genre—a type of lyric verse set to musical patterns—it focuses on the pain of farewell between lovers or dear friends.

The opening lines emphasize the twilight hour and the sense of departure: sudden rains, chill cicadas, and the long pavilion typically where friends or lovers would part ways. The mention of a farewell banquet in the capital that “lacks all spirit” underscores the heaviness of the moment. Liu Yong’s language here is both vividly descriptive and deeply emotional, capturing a universal feeling of reluctance at parting.

Central to the poem is the image of two people holding hands, overcome by tears. Their bond is strong enough to render them speechless as the last moments slip away. The poem then broadens its vision to “a thousand leagues of misty waves,” symbolizing the uncharted distance that will separate them. In the reference to “楚天” (the Chu skies), readers sense both a literal and emotional vastness—a journey through sprawling land and uncertain futures.

The second half of the poem explores the theme of separation amid autumn’s natural chill. Throughout Chinese poetic tradition, autumn frequently evokes feelings of isolation, decline, and reflection. In this poem, it becomes an apt parallel for the lovers’ sorrow. Even after the parting, the speaker imagines awakening alone in the cold dawn. The imagery of “willow-shaded bank” and “waning moon” suggests a poignant solitude in the face of nature’s quiet metamorphosis.

As the poem proceeds, the speaker laments that all the joyous times ahead will feel meaningless without a loved one to share them with. This sense of futility intensifies the longing conveyed in each line. At last, the poet acknowledges his overflowing emotions—“a thousand charms”—yet despairs at having no confidant by his side.

One of the poem’s key strengths lies in Liu Yong’s ability to blend personal emotion with evocative natural settings: the lingering mist, cicadas’ cries, and wind-swept autumn banks serve as a concert of images that echo and deepen the sense of loss. In China’s literary tradition, “Rainy Night Bell” often represents the pinnacle of a parting poem because it balances lush description with heartbreak.

The result is a lyrical piece that has resonated for centuries: many readers see themselves in the departing couple, feeling caught between the desire to remain and the inevitable demands of time and duty. The emotional intensity remains relatable across the ages, underscoring how love and parting are timeless human experiences. “Rain on the Bells” has thus become a touchstone in ci poetry, frequently taught as an exemplar of how to evoke deep sentiment within a carefully structured, melodic form.