All poems

汉 Han · 诗 Poem

垓下歌

Song of Gaixia

项羽

Xiang Yu

英雄heroic 悲壮tragic solemn

力拔山兮气盖世，时不利兮骓不逝。
骓不逝兮可奈何，虞兮虞兮奈若何！

My strength could pull down mountains, oh! My spirit overshadowed the world.
But times are against me, oh! My dappled horse no longer runs.
My dappled horse runs not, oh! What can I do?
My Yu, my Yu, oh! What is to be done with you?

Listen

Meaning

The poet, Xiang Yu, laments that despite his extraordinary strength and spirit, the times are unfavorable and even his horse refuses to run. He expresses despair over his impending defeat and grief over being unable to protect his beloved consort, Yu. This is a tragic song of a hero at the end of his road, blending heroic valor and tender love.

我的力气能拔起高山，豪气盖过当世；无奈时运不济啊，我的乌骓马也不再奔驰。骓马不往前啊，我又能怎样？虞姬啊虞姬，我该拿你如何是好！这是项羽被围垓下、四面楚歌时的绝命悲歌，既悲慨自己力能扛鼎却难挽败局，更痛惜无从保护挚爱的虞姬，豪勇与柔情在最后一刻交织成千古绝唱。

Appreciation

The poem opens with a bold claim of superhuman strength and spirit, then sharply turns to the reality of defeat as the horse stops. The last two lines directly address his consort Yu, expressing helplessness and deep affection. The contrast between fierce power and tender sorrow creates a powerful tragic effect. The repeated 'Yu, my Yu' epitomizes the hero's vulnerability, making this a timeless elegy for a fallen hero.

【白话串讲】 “力拔山兮气盖世”——项羽到死都相信，自己力大无穷、天下无敌。可四面楚歌里，他只能问：“虞兮虞兮奈若何”——他护得下天下，却护不住心爱的虞姬。【意象与手法】诗仅四句，却波澜起伏。首句以「力拔山、气盖世」的极度夸张塑造盖世英雄的自我形象，气吞山河；次句「时不利、骓不逝」急转，以战马停滞的实写衬出时运之穷、败局之定，巨力与无力形成猛烈反差；后两句由叹己转入呼姬，叠呼如泣，口语般缠绵，刚柔并济，悲剧张力极强。【情感与主旨】据《史记·项羽本纪》，汉五年（前202）项羽兵困垓下，兵少粮尽，夜闻四面楚歌，知大势已去，夜饮帐中，悲歌慷慨，自为此诗，与虞姬诀别，是这位失败英雄留给历史的最后心声，真实记录了楚汉相争终局的苍凉。【名句点睛】常考「力拔山兮气盖世」的英雄自画像与「虞兮虞兮奈若何」的儿女情长之对照，以及楚歌「兮」字句式的情感效果。

Background

This poem was composed by Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, in 202 BCE. According to Records of the Grand Historian, Xiang Yu was besieged at Gaixia with dwindling troops and provisions. Hearing Chu songs from all sides at night, he knew his cause was lost. In his tent, he sang this song while his consort Yu danced. The poem is his final cry of despair and farewell to his beloved.

《垓下歌》为西楚霸王项羽所作。据《史记·项羽本纪》，汉五年（前202）十二月，项羽兵困垓下，兵少粮尽，夜闻汉军四面皆楚歌，大惊曰「汉皆已得楚乎？是何楚人之多也」，知大势已去。夜饮帐中，悲歌慷慨，自为诗曰「力拔山兮气盖世……」，美人和之，羽泣数行，左右皆泣，莫能仰视。此歌作于项羽突围前夕、与虞姬诀别之时，是这位失败英雄留给历史的最后心声。当时天下大局已定：刘邦合诸侯之兵围项羽于垓下，韩信、彭越、英布各路大军云集，项羽虽力能扛鼎、勇冠三军，亦难挽狂澜。歌后项羽率八百骑突围，至乌江，亭长劝其渡江以图再起，羽笑曰「天之亡我，我何渡为」，遂自刎。此歌与《史记》所载项羽生平相表里，真实记录了楚汉相争终局的苍凉，也定格了一个英雄在历史关头的刚烈与柔情，是理解项羽其人及其悲剧的关键文本。太史公以「悲歌慷慨」「泣数行下」状其歌，寥寥数笔，而英雄末路之形神毕现，此歌遂与史传相得益彰，成为楚汉相争中最悲壮的一幕，为后世无数咏史之作所本。

Art

Despite having only four lines, the poem surges dramatically. The first line uses hyperbole to depict a superhuman hero. The second line abruptly shifts to reality, as the horse refuses to run. The last two lines turn to his consort, with the repeated 'Yu, my Yu' showing his tenderness. The contrast between strength and helplessness, heroism and affection, creates intense tragic tension.

诗仅四句，却波澜起伏，章法极简而张力极大。首句「力拔山兮气盖世」以极度夸张塑造盖世英雄的自我形象——「力拔山」写其勇力（《史记》载项羽「长八尺余，力能扛鼎」），「气盖世」写其气概，两句气吞山河，是项羽一生最得意的自我画像，也是全诗唯一的亮色。次句「时不利兮骓不逝」急转：力能拔山而时运不济，乌骓马也不再奔驰，以战马停滞的实写衬出时运之穷、败局之定，巨力与无力在同一句中猛烈碰撞，英雄末路之感扑面而来。三句「骓不逝兮可奈何」由马及己，徒唤奈何，是英雄第一次承认无力；末句「虞兮虞兮奈若何」突然落到对爱妾的牵念，铁血英雄的柔情在此达到顶点。四句由己到马、由马到姬，层层收缩，刚猛与哀婉对举，豪情与柔情交织，把英雄末路的悲怆写得惊心动魄，其结构之妙，堪称短章中的典范。又以「兮」字顿挫，句句如叹，一唱三叹之间，英雄由自负而无奈、由无奈而悲呼，情感层次分明，是短章中罕见的完整心路，亦见楚歌体抒情的独特魅力。

Allusions

'Pulling down mountains' refers to Xiang Yu's legendary strength, as he was said to 'lift a tripod' (Records). 'Dappled horse' (Zhui) was his favorite steed. 'Yu' is his beloved consort, and the 'Farewell to My Concubine' story in opera derives from this. 'Songs of Chu on all sides' became a proverb for total isolation. The poem uses the Chu ci 'xi' particle, typical of the Chu style.

「力拔山」极写项羽的猛勇，《史记·项羽本纪》记其「长八尺余，力能扛鼎，才气过人」，与「霸王」形象吻合；「骓」即项羽常乘的乌骓马，史载「骏马名骓，常骑之」，项羽爱马如命，突围时犹骑骓而走，以马之「不逝」写时之不利，正见其绝望之深。「虞」指虞姬，史称「有美人名虞，常幸从」，后世「霸王别姬」的戏曲典实即源于此歌与《史记》记载；相传虞姬和歌「汉兵已略地，四方楚歌声。大王意气尽，贱妾何聊生」后自刎（此歌见于《史记正义》所引《楚汉春秋》，学者或疑其伪，然流传甚广，已成经典）。「四面楚歌」亦出本传，成为孤立无援的成语。全诗承楚辞「兮」字体，为楚汉之际楚声歌诗的代表，句式参差、一唱三叹，与刘邦《大风歌》同为汉初楚声之双璧，也是《诗经》四言向汉魏五言过渡的关键一环。又「骓」之为物，日行千里，项羽倚为生死之伴，以马之不逝写人之末路，物我同悲，正是《诗经》比兴传统在楚歌中的回响，其哀更深一层。

Commentary

According to the Records, Xiang Yu sang this poem repeatedly, with his consort Yu harmonizing. Tears streamed down his face, and everyone present was moved. Later poets like Li Qingzhao echoed his heroism. The 'Farewell to My Concubine' story became a classic tragic trope, blending masculinity and tenderness.

《史记·项羽本纪》载项羽「悲歌慷慨，自为诗曰……歌数阕，美人和之。项王泣数行下，左右皆泣，莫能仰视」，太史公状其末路，凄恻动人。此后历代对项羽的评价，多与《垓下歌》相关：宋李清照《夏日绝句》「生当作人杰，死亦为鬼雄。至今思项羽，不肯过江东」，遥契其英雄气；杜牧《题乌江亭》则谓「胜败兵家事不期，包羞忍耻是男儿」，以为项羽不当自刎，可见后世对这位末路英雄的两种态度。从诗歌史看，《垓下歌》是楚汉之际楚声歌诗的代表，也是中国文学史上第一首完整的「英雄末路」悲歌；后世「霸王别姬」成为戏曲、小说、绘画的经典题材，京剧《霸王别姬》至今传唱，「力拔山兮气盖世」亦成为形容英雄气概的固定语汇。此诗的价值，在于它以最朴素的四句，写尽了英雄与命运的对决——胜败皆英雄，刚柔总关情，故能千古传诵，成为民族记忆中的英雄绝唱。此歌与《大风歌》并读，一败一胜、一悲一豪，恰是楚汉兴亡的注脚，也是中国诗歌英雄母题的滥觞，后世咏项羽之作皆从此歌与史传取象，影响极其深远。

Prosody

Form Han dynasty Chu song (Sao style, four lines)楚歌体（骚体，四句，杂言）

Rhyme 世(shi), 逝(shi), 何(he) - all rhymed in ancient Chinese世、逝、何（古韵祭部、歌部协韵），一韵到底

Tone pattern Four lines with 'xi' as exclamation, varied line lengths, unified rhyme, tragic and solemn四句皆用「兮」字为语助，每句以「兮」字置于句中，将一句分为两段，形成「力拔山兮／气盖世」式的顿挫节奏，音节舒展而低回，一唱三叹，悲慨苍凉。

Reading note Composed when Xiang Yu was defeated at Gaixia and bidding farewell to Yu Ji. It is paired with Liu Bang's 'Song of the Great Wind' as the two Chu-Han songs, one heroic, one tragic, reflecting different fates of heroes.此诗为楚歌体，承《楚辞》「兮」字句式而来：每句以「兮」字置于句中，把一句劈为两段，诵读时须于「兮」字处停顿换气、拖长声调，声情摇曳，极宜悲歌。全诗四句，句句押韵（世、逝、何古韵相协），一韵到底，音节紧凑而一气呵成，正合慷慨悲歌之体。项羽本楚人，楚歌是其乡土之音；四面楚歌之夜，汉军所唱正是楚声，而他唱的也是楚声——以故乡的调子为江山唱挽歌，这本身就有深沉的寓意，楚声既是楚人的挽歌，亦是西楚霸王最后的绝响。此诗与刘邦《大风歌》「大风起兮云飞扬，威加海内兮归故乡，安得猛士兮守四方」并称「楚汉双歌」：同用楚歌体，同写帝王襟抱，而一豪一悲、一得一失，命运迥异，正可对照而观。就格律史而言，楚歌体上承《诗经》四言、下启汉乐府杂言，是诗歌由《诗》三百向汉魏五言过渡的重要一环，而《垓下歌》正是这一环节上最悲壮的一章。

Line by line

力拔山兮气盖世

My strength could pull down mountains, oh! My spirit overshadowed the world. This line boldly portrays Xiang Yu's unparalleled might and sets up the contrast with his later downfall.

力气能拔起高山啊，豪气盖过当世。

Strength to pull up a mountain, oh, spirit above the age.

起笔即写项羽最自豪的英雄本色：「力拔山」以夸张写其勇力绝伦，《史记》记其力能扛鼎，此处更以「拔山」极言之，仿佛一座山也能举起；「气盖世」写其气概冠绝当世，「盖」字见压倒一切之势，是项羽一生最得意的自我画像，也是全诗唯一的一抹亮色。两句气吞山河，音节铿锵，如一声虎啸；然而正因起笔如此高峻，后文的坠落才如此惊心——这极度张扬的自我肯定，恰为「时不利」的急转作了最强烈的反跌，越是写足英雄之能，越见命运之不可抗，悲剧的张力自此展开。

The song opens at the height. Strength to pull up a mountain, spirit above the age—the most boastful self-portrait in Chinese poetry, and the most doomed. The higher the opening, the further the fall. The wild boast is Xiang Yu's whole nature, stated once and never repeated. To have described his great strength would be a fact; the mountain he could pull up and the age he overshadowed are the fact.

时不利兮骓不逝

But times are against me, oh! My dappled horse no longer runs. This line marks the turning point, attributing defeat to unfavorable circumstances and the stallion's refusal to run.

时运不济啊，乌骓马也不再奔逝。

The times are unkind, oh, my dappled steed will not run.

由盛转衰，是全诗的转折。「时不利」将失败归之于时运，既写客观的困局，也透出项羽至死不悟的倔强与不甘——他把一切归于天命，而非己过，这正是其性格的写照，也是其悲剧的根源；「骓不逝」以乌骓马不肯前行的实写，把抽象的「时不利」化为可感的画面：连最忠勇的战马都驻足不前，可见败局已定、天意难回。力拔山与骓不逝同在一句，巨力与无力形成猛烈的反差，英雄末路的苍凉自此展开，也是全诗由豪转悲的第一个台阶。

The turn. The times are unkind, oh, my dappled steed will not run. The steed that would not move is the concrete image of the age's unkindness—even the loyal horse has given up. Xiang Yu blames the times, not himself, to the end. To have said the situation was hopeless would be a statement; the steed that will not run is the hopelessness.

骓不逝兮可奈何

My dappled horse runs not, oh! What can I do? This line expresses utter helplessness in the face of doom.

乌骓不走啊，我又有什么办法！

The steed will not run, oh, what can be done?

面对绝境，英雄第一次徒唤奈何。「可奈何」是无奈的叹息，与首句「气盖世」的豪语判若两人——勇力盖世者，此时竟连一匹马的意志都无法改变，这种无力感正是末路英雄最深沉的悲剧。句式上「骓不逝」的重复回环，如叹息之再三，音节低回；「可奈何」三字以问作叹，把英雄的束手无策写得如在目前。由马及己、由实入虚，诗情在此由悲慨转为悲叹，也为末句呼姬的柔肠作了情绪上的铺垫，是全诗由刚转柔的过渡枢纽。

The helplessness. The steed will not run, oh, what can be done? The repetition of the steed will not run is the refrain of a man who has run out of options. The question has no answer. To have said he was helpless would be a fact; the repeated stopped steed and the what-can-be-done are the helplessness.

虞兮虞兮奈若何！

My Yu, my Yu, oh! What is to be done with you? The final line turns to his beloved consort, revealing deep affection and the agony of farewell.

虞姬啊虞姬，我该拿你怎么办！

Yu, oh Yu, what is to become of you!

末句由叹己转入呼姬，是全诗情感的最高点。「虞兮虞兮」叠呼如泣，一声紧似一声，与《楚辞·九歌》「乐莫乐兮新相知」式的叠呼一脉相承，而情味迥异——这里是生死诀别时的悲呼；「奈若何」三字，写盖世英雄面对爱妾时的束手无策，铁血柔情在这一刻彻底交融。不写虞姬的容貌、不写临别的誓言，只一声「奈若何」，便把英雄末路的所有牵挂、痛惜与绝望尽收其中——一生纵横天下者，此刻竟连心爱之人的归宿都无法安排。苍凉绝唱，动人心魄，遂成「霸王别姬」千古场景的诗眼。

The cry to the beloved. Yu, oh Yu, what is to become of you! The doubling of the name is the Chuci lament; the hero who could move mountains has no answer for the woman beside him. The song ends on the tender question, not the martial one. To have said he wept over his concubine would be a scene; the repeated name and the what-is-to-become-of-you are the tenderness.

Study

Word focus

盖世 Overshadowing the world; '盖' means to cover or surpass. This phrase emphasizes Xiang Yu's unmatched heroism, in sharp contrast to the subsequent 'times are against me'. 「气盖世」之「盖」为压倒，「世」为当世，二字极言其气概冠绝一代，无人能及。与「力拔山」配合，「拔山」写勇力之极、「盖世」写气概之雄，项羽一生最引为自豪的两点尽在其中；然而「盖世」愈高，后文「时不利」的坠落愈深——这二字既是英雄的自画像，也是悲剧的伏笔。以最昂扬的语词写最悲怆的结局，正是此诗张力所在；「盖世」一词亦因项羽而成为形容英雄气概的固定语汇，其影响及于后世无数咏史之作，可见一词之力。

时不利 Unfavorable times; '时' refers to the current situation or fate. This term expresses the hero's regret and sense of helplessness. 「时不利」将失败归于时运不济，是项羽的自欺亦是自解：他不承认战略失误、不承认用人不当，只认「天亡我」——这一归结既见其倔强与天真，也见其英雄式的自负。三个字写尽客观困局与主观不甘，把「时不我予」的宿命感凝于一词；「时不利兮骓不逝」遂成「天时人事两相违」的千古注脚，后世写英雄末路、怀才不遇者，多以「时不利」为典式，可见此三字概括力之强与感染力之深。

奈若何 What can be done with you? '奈...何' is a classical pattern for helplessness. The repetition of '虞兮' and the question crystallize the hero's tenderness and despair. 「奈若何」即「拿你怎么办」，是无可奈何之问。叠呼「虞兮虞兮」之后接此三字，把英雄末路的悲怆凝于对爱人的无措——一生纵横天下者，此刻竟连心爱之人的归宿都无法安排，柔情与绝望在此交融，催人泪下。「奈若何」三字以口语入诗，质朴无华而撼动人心，与首句「气盖世」的豪语遥相对照，一刚一柔、一扬一抑，恰是项羽真性情的完整写照——能拔山者未必能护一人，能盖世者未必能挽一局，这才是英雄末路最深沉的悲哀，也是全诗最动人的一声叹息。

垓下歌