昔胡仔曾說：“中秋詞，自東坡《水調歌頭》一出，余詞盡廢。”認為這是寫中秋最好的一首詞，此說是一點也不過分的。這首詞仿佛是與明月的對話，在對話中探討著人生的意義。既有理性，又有情趣，很是耐人尋味。

或許，早在我們從課本上學到《水調歌頭》之前，就已經在王菲的歌聲中，在各類影視劇中接觸到這首詞了吧。

《水調歌頭》：

明月幾時有?把酒問青天。不知天上宮闕、今夕是何年?我欲乘風歸去，惟恐瓊樓玉宇，高處不勝寒。起舞弄清影，何似在人間?轉朱閣，低綺戶，照無眠。不應有恨、何事長向別時圓?人有悲歡離合，月有陰晴圓缺，此事古難全。但愿人長久，千里共蟬娟。

許淵沖先生譯作：

How long will the full moon appear?

Wine cup in hand, I ask the sky。

I do not know what time of the year

’Twould be tonight in the palace on high。

Riding the wind, there I would fly,

Yet I’m afraid the crystalline palace would be

Too high and cold for me。

I rise and dance, with my shadow I play。

On high as on earth, would it be as gay?

The moon goes round the mansions red

Through gauze-draped window soft to shed

Her light upon the sleepless bed。

Why then when people part, is the oft full and bright?

Men have sorrow and joy; they part or meet again;

The moon is bright or dim and she may wax or wane。

There has been nothing perfect since the olden days。

So let us wish that man

Will live long as he can!

Though miles apart, we’ll share the beauty she displays。

林語堂先生譯作：

How rare the moon, so round and clear!

With cup in hand, I ask of the blue sky,

"I do not know in the celestial sphere

What name this festive night goes by?"

I want to fly home, riding the air,

But fear the ethereal cold up there,

The jade and crystal mansions are so high!

Dancing to my shadow,

I feel no longer the mortal tie。

She rounds the vermilion tower,

Stoops to silk-pad doors,

Shines on those who sleepless lie。

Why does she, bearing us no grudge,

Shine upon our parting, reunion deny?

But rare is perfect happiness--

The moon does wax, the moon does wane,

And so men meet and say goodbye。

I only pray our life be long,

And our souls together heavenward fly!