The Dawn of the Mountains / 山之初光
[Setting: The stage opens with a vast painted scroll unfurling from the ceiling to the floor, depicting mountains, rivers, and mythic beasts. The scroll glows with moving light, giving the illusion of a living landscape. Actors costumed as primordial spirits emerge from the mist. In the center, a ritual altar with bronze tripods burns with fragrant smoke. The scene establishes the sacred geography of the world.] [Music & Style: Ancient Chinese court ritual music fused with Chu-style shamanic chants and early Han yuefu lyric intonations. Instruments: guqin, sheng, xun (ocarina), bronze bells, and deep frame drums. The singing style alternates between Kunqu lyric clarity and Qinqiang declamation, evoking both mystery and grandeur.] [Incantations: Invocation lines in archaic Chinese incantatory form, representing the Daoist-shamanic breath of the cosmos. Glosses provided after each.]
The Dawn of the Mountains / 山之初光
[Setting: The stage opens with a vast painted scroll unfurling from the ceiling to the floor, depicting mountains, rivers, and mythic beasts. The scroll glows with moving light, giving the illusion of a living landscape. Actors costumed as primordial spirits emerge from the mist. In the center, a ritual altar with bronze tripods burns with fragrant smoke. The scene establishes the sacred geography of the world.] [Music & Style: Ancient Chinese court ritual music fused with Chu-style shamanic chants and early Han yuefu lyric intonations. Instruments: guqin, sheng, xun (ocarina), bronze bells, and deep frame drums. The singing style alternates between Kunqu lyric clarity and Qinqiang declamation, evoking both mystery and grandeur.] [Incantations: Invocation lines in archaic Chinese incantatory form, representing the Daoist-shamanic breath of the cosmos. Glosses provided after each.]
Lyrics
山海經 / Classic of Mountains and Seas / 山海经
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_of_Mountains_and_Seas
Act 1 Scene 1 — The Dawn of the Mountains / 山之初光
Setting: The stage opens with a vast painted scroll unfurling from the ceiling to the floor, depicting mountains, rivers, and mythic beasts. The scroll glows with moving light, giving the illusion of a living landscape. Actors costumed as primordial spirits emerge from the mist. In the center, a ritual altar with bronze tripods burns with fragrant smoke. The scene establishes the sacred geography of the world.
Music & Style: Ancient Chinese court ritual music fused with Chu-style shamanic chants and early Han yuefu lyric intonations. Instruments: guqin, sheng, xun (ocarina), bronze bells, and deep frame drums. The singing style alternates between Kunqu lyric clarity and Qinqiang declamation, evoking both mystery and grandeur.
Incantations: Invocation lines in archaic Chinese incantatory form, representing the Daoist-shamanic breath of the cosmos. Glosses provided after each.
⸻
Verse 1
青山起兮，云烟腾，
洪荒息兮，万象生，
灵鸟舞兮，声相应，
初光照兮，大道明。
[咒曰]：启山之灵。
Incantation gloss: “Awaken the spirit of the Mountain.”
Verse 2
黄河源兮，九曲长，
昆仑高兮，白雪扬，
神兽鸣兮，守四方，
天地开兮，道自彰。
[咒曰]：昆仑为中。
Incantation gloss: “Kunlun is the Center.”
Chorus 1
东海涌兮，浪无穷，
西岳立兮，影重重，
南山歌兮，百木融，
北海息兮，雪苍穹。
[咒曰]：四海同心。
Incantation gloss: “The Four Seas are of one heart.”
Verse 3
灵泉涌兮，化百川，
神草长兮，延人年，
巫觋舞兮，接天言，
天地契兮，不夜天。
[咒曰]：泉生无极。
Incantation gloss: “Springs flow without limit.”
Verse 4
朱鸟飞兮，火焰明，
青龙升兮，万象宁，
白虎啸兮，守乾坤，
玄武立兮，佑苍生。
[咒曰]：四象同德。
Incantation gloss: “The Four Symbols share one virtue.”
Chorus 2
山之经兮，记天地，
海之志兮，载神奇，
人之梦兮，与道期，
灵之声兮，永不移。
[咒曰]：道贯山海。
Incantation gloss: “The Dao threads through mountains and seas.”
Bridge
鼓震兮，魂欲飞，
钟鸣兮，境方辉，
舞动兮，天地围，
歌起兮，道不归。
[咒曰]：灵舞合天。
Incantation gloss: “The Spirit Dance unites with Heaven.”
Chorus 3
九州定兮，脉相连，
山海合兮，化人间，
灵兽引兮，渡千年，
大道循兮，永无边。
[咒曰]：天地同声。
Incantation gloss: “Heaven and Earth share one voice.”
Chorus 4
星辰照兮，夜未央，
古志传兮，世无荒，
神话续兮，歌流长，
山海经兮，永辉煌。
[咒曰]：经启万世。
Incantation gloss: “The Classic opens ten thousand generations.”
Outro
山高兮，道远兮，
海阔兮，人和兮，
灵长兮，德昌兮，
天地合兮，万古常兮。
[咒曰]：大道无疆。
Incantation gloss: “The Great Dao is boundless.”