Dà Yú

Zhou Shen's 'Dà Yú' (大鱼) is a hauntingly beautiful song that delves into themes of separation, longing, and the passage of time. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a vast, silent ocean and a great fish swimming through the dreamlike waters. This imagery serves as a metaphor for the emotional journey of the narrator, who is grappling with the fear of losing someone dear and the inevitability of change.

The song opens with a serene yet somber scene of the ocean at night, where the waves are silent and the sky is deep and dark. The great fish, or 'dà yú,' swims through the cracks of dreams, symbolizing the elusive and transient nature of dreams and memories. The narrator watches this scene, reflecting on the contours of their loved one's sleeping face, which suggests a deep sense of intimacy and connection.

As the song progresses, the narrator expresses their fears and anxieties about the loved one leaving. The imagery of the fish's wings being too vast and the narrator loosening the ropes of time highlights the inevitability of change and the difficulty of holding onto fleeting moments. The repeated refrain of tears flowing towards the loved one and eventually into the depths of the sky and sea underscores the depth of the narrator's emotions and the sense of loss they feel.

In the final verses, the narrator comes to a poignant realization that the loved one was always destined to belong to the heavens, suggesting a sense of acceptance and understanding. The song concludes with a melancholic yet peaceful acknowledgment of the initial encounter, bringing the emotional journey full circle. Zhou Shen's ethereal voice and the poetic lyrics combine to create a deeply moving and introspective piece that resonates with listeners on a profound level.