這是著名唐代詩人王維所著的＜送元二使安西＞的七言絕句，它曾以歌曲形式在唐代廣為流傳，以表達對既將遠行的友人深沉的惜別之情。著名的十大古琴曲之一＜陽關三疊＞，又名＜陽關曲＞最早就是為詩人王維所著的這首七言絕句而譜寫的，其感人至深，是我國古代音樂作品中難得的精品，也成為千百年來被人們廣為傳唱的古曲。目前所見的古曲＜陽關三疊＞是在原曲失傳後自明代起重新改編的殊多琴歌板本之一，全曲共分三段，基本上用一個曲調作變化反復，疊唱三次，故稱三疊。這首琴歌的音調純樸而賦予激情，其中有八度大跳的唱法及連續反復的呈述，情意真切，以充分錶達對即將遠行的友人的無限關懷、留戀的誠摯情感。

 

今天詩班要為大家獻唱的詩歌＜三疊離歌＞，是在楊蔭瀏新填歌詞的基礎上，由本教會詩斑弟兄姐妹特​​別為劉牧師與師母離開本教會奔赴新的牧場重新改編而成。全曲調選用＜陽光三疊＞原古琴曲，並配有中胡伴奏，第一段表達對同工多年的神的僕人臨行時我們相顧戀不忍離的惜別之情；第二段表達我們對牧師師母的關懷與勉勵之情；劉牧師與師母奔赴新的牧場，任重而道遠，有主耶穌的膀臂引領；第三段表達神衷心的僕人全身心奉獻，為主牧養群羊，必有公義的冠冕為他們存留的讚美之聲。

願神祝福他們!

 

The famous poem, Farewell at the Yang Gate, by Tang dynasty poet Wang Wei, expresses the deep sorrow and emotions of parting friends. It was widely sung by Tang citizens over a thousand years ago. The original music was preserved in guqin score and consisted of three repeats to convey the complex feelings of parting; hence the other name, Three Fold Farewell at the Yang Gate.

 

Today our choir will offer a special song, Three Fold Farewell, set to the same guqin music, using a new text written for this special occasion to honor and say farewell to Pastor Liu and Shimu, who have served the NOCBC for the past 12 years. Instrumentation consists of guqin (the most revered Chinese music instrument) and zhonghu (the erhu equivalent of viola in the Chinese orchestra). The first part depicts the parting sorrow of fellow coworkers; the second part, the encouragement to continue the way of the Cross; and the third part, the crown of glory that awaits the servants of the Lord. May God bless them!