The lyrics, in neo-poem form, were written in 1920, shortly after the end of World War One, when Professor Liu (劉半農), then an overseas student studying in England, beheld a cohort of Chinese indentured laborers, actually coolies, working slavishly at some seaport of Europe,  hence, he thought of his Motherland which was likewise in tribulation—-China. So, it was not originally a romantic poem; however, Professor Liu and the composer, Professor Zhao (趙元任), later coined a new “她” for the song, which had been thus much more popularized. (According to a survey, people deemed the very Chinese character “她” had been the most influential neologism ever created during the twentieth century.)

Professor Liu was renowned for this “love” song, and people would have regarded him as being handsome and attractive; but he was not, not even close. It is told that a college girl exclaimed, “Oh my God, how can I think of him, again!” when she saw him in person.

Attached below is my tentative rendering of the song.

教 我 如 何 不 想 她 ( 我把受格改成了”她”.)

天上飄著些微雲， Along the skies the clouds wafting,

地上吹著些微風， over the ground the zephyr drifting

啊... Ah....

微風吹動了我的頭髮， The breeze blew my locks flowing.

叫我如何不想她？ How can I not think of her?

月光戀愛著海洋， The moonlight was attached to the sea,

海洋戀愛著月光。 as the sea was devoted to the moonlight

啊... Ah....

這般蜜也似的銀夜， In this silver, honey-like evening,

教我如何不想她？ How can I not think of her?

水面落花慢慢流， Fallen flowers were floating slowly on the surface,

水底魚兒慢慢游。 Fishes were swimming under the water.

啊......Ah...

燕子你說些什麼話？Dear swallows, what were you chirping about?

叫我如何不想她？How can I not think of her?

枯樹在冷風裡搖， The withered trees were swinging as the cold wind blew, 

野火在暮色中燒。Bush fire flamed at dusk.

啊！ 西天還有些兒殘霞， Ah! The evening glows were still lingering beyond the sky.

叫我如何不想她？How can I not think of her?