The Emperor's order I must obey
I'm biding you and our son farewell
several thousand miles away
when I'll return I can't tell-

all able- bodied men have been summoned
to help build the Great Wall
news travel fast--my friends have perished
none has been able to return home at all--

kiss my baby-son for me
he will grow strong and tall
tell him his dad was a brave solider
he heeded readily to the Emperor's call--

I'll write you every night
each letter bears my love and tears
if fate dictates I should fail to return home
I'll remember you both for a million years.