《获麟操》 The Tsao Melody of Capturing the Qilin

​by Jing Guan 作者：静观

Master Wu Yin plays The Tsao Melody of Capturing the Qilin

无音老师抚《获麟操》

Master Wu Yin plays The Tsao Melody of Capturing the Qilin

无音老师抚《获麟操》

《获麟操》，古琴曲，又名《获麟》、《获麟解》、《谨微》，相传为孔子所作。被收录在多本明代琴谱中，现存最早者为《神奇秘谱》。有琴家管平湖及吴文光打谱的版本。

"The Tsao Melody of Capturing the Qilin" (《获麟操》), a guqin composition, is also known as "Capturing the Qilin", "The Jie Melody of Capturing the Qilin", or "Jin Wei" (《谨微》). Legend has it that it was made by Confucius

This piece has been included in multiple guqin scores from the Ming dynasty, with the earliest surviving version found in the Shenqi Mipu (《神奇秘谱》). Notable guqin masters, such as Guan Pinghu and Wu Wenguang, have created modern interpretations of this composition.

曲谱版本

收录于《神奇秘谱》、《风宣玄品》、《西麓堂琴统》（题为《谨微》）、《重修真传琴谱》、《玉梧琴谱》、《伯牙心法》、《藏春坞琴谱》、《新传理性元雅》、《古音正宗》、《琴苑心传全编》等明代琴谱 Versions of the Score

The piece is included in several Ming dynasty guqin handbooks, such as:

Shenqi Mipu (《神奇秘谱》)

Fengxuan Xuanpin (《风宣玄品》)

Xilu Tang Qintong (《西麓堂琴统》), under the title "Jin Wei" (《谨微》)

Chongxiu Zhenchuan Qinpu (《重修真传琴谱》)

Yuwu Qinpu (《玉梧琴谱》)

Boyaxin Fa (《伯牙心法》)

Cangchunwu Qinpu (《藏春坞琴谱》)

Xin Chuan Lixing Yuanya (《新传理性元雅》)

Guyin Zhengzong (《古音正宗》)

Qinyuan Xinchuan Quanbian (《琴苑心传全编》)

《神奇秘谱》题解

臞仙按《琴史》曰，〈获麟〉者，鲁哀公十四年，西狩大野，叔孙氏之车子鉏商获麟焉，折前足，载以归。叔孙以为不祥，弃之郭外，使人告孔子曰：“有麏而角，何也？”孔子往而观之曰：“麟也，胡为乎来哉？反袂拭面，涕泪沾襟。”叔孙闻而取之。子贡问曰：“夫子何泣耶？”孔子曰：“麟之至也为明主出也。出非其时而见害，是以伤焉。”故作〈获麟操〉。

Explanation from Shenqi Mipu

Qu Xian (臞仙) comments, referencing the Qin History (Qinshi):

"Capturing the Qilin" refers to an event in the 14th year of Duke Ai of Lu. During a hunt in the western wilderness, the chariot servant Chü Shang (鉏商) of the Shusun clan captured a qilin. Its foreleg was broken, and it was brought back. The Shusun clan regarded it as an ill omen and abandoned it outside the city walls. Someone reported this to Confucius, saying: ‘There is a deer-like creature with horns. What is it?’ Confucius went to observe it and exclaimed: ‘It is a qilin! Why have you come now?’ Turning his sleeve to wipe his face, he wept bitterly, his tears soaking his robe. Upon hearing this, the Shusun clan retrieved the qilin.

Zigong asked: ‘Master, why do you weep?’ Confucius replied: ‘The qilin’s appearance signifies the arrival of an enlightened ruler. Its appearance at an inappropriate time, resulting in harm, is why I grieve.’"

Thus, Confucius composed The Song of Capturing the Qilin (Huò Lín Cāo).

《重修真传琴谱》中歌词原文

The original lyrics in the Chongxiu Zhenchuan Qinpu (Revised Authentic Qin Handbook).

第一段 伤时麟兮

麟兮麟兮，合仁抱义，出有其时。行步而中规，折旋而中矩，其声也音中锺吕。所游那而必择详而后处处，仁趾兮生草不践，那生虫也而不履。居不群，行不侣，不陷于阱，恢恢网罟而无所罹。麟兮一角五蹄，时其希，气锺两仪。今出无期，食铁产金空其奇。 First Section: Lamenting the Times of the Qilin

Qilin, O Qilin,

Embodying benevolence and righteousness, appearing only at the right time.

Its steps align perfectly with the compass and square,

Its movements follow principles of balance and order,

And its voice resonates harmoniously within the tones of Zhong and Lü.

Where it roams, it carefully selects its place to stay,

Treading only on grass without harming it,

Avoiding stepping on insects to preserve their lives.

It lives apart from others, walks without companions,

Never falling into traps,

Evading all snares and nets with ease.

The Qilin, with one horn and five hooves,

Is a rare creature, its spirit embodying the harmony of yin and yang.

Now, it emerges at an improper time,

Eating iron and birthing gold,

Its wonders rendered futile and empty.

第二段 西狩大野

西狩大野，邹鲁观风化。大婚大鳢，好生恶杀。贤君也，辨政耶，齐鲁兮，裔不谋夏，夷不那乱华，君对而无暇。 Second Section: Hunting in the Western Wilderness

In the western wilderness, a grand hunt takes place,

The people of Zou and Lu observe the governance and morals.

A ruler of great virtue promotes life and despises killing,

A wise sovereign who discerns justice and governs with fairness.

Within Qi and Lu,

The distant tribes do not conspire against the central states,

The barbarians do not bring chaos to Chinese culture.

Yet, the ruler remains preoccupied, unable to fully address the world’s troubles.

第三段 获麟折足

世事无常，子钮商薪，于野获麟兮以为不祥。折其足而堪伤。夫我其将辨物而推其详，推其详。那齐鲁而何其昌，胡为而来遭此不良。刚其肠拭面也而汪洋，反袂沾裳。麟之至时当其当，斯出也知为明王。 Third Section: The Capture of the Qilin and Its Broken Leg

The affairs of the world are ever-changing. Ziniu, gathering firewood,

In the wilderness, captures the Qilin, believing it to be an ill omen.

Its leg is broken, and it suffers a painful injury.

As I reflect upon the situation, I consider the circumstances in detail,

Why is it that the states of Qi and Lu flourish,

Yet this creature comes to meet such misfortune?

My heart aches deeply, and I wipe my face, my tears flowing freely,

Turning my sleeve, my robe soaked with sorrow.

The Qilin's arrival should occur at the right time,

For its emergence signifies the arrival of a wise ruler.

第四段 长叹瑞麟

心戚戚，礼乐废坠，纲常也坏极。値雍彻歌咏于三家，有君夷狄。瑞嶙兮谁期遭不测。仁而有德，不为明王获。麟之不荣，苍苍减色。那时无明王，叔孙氏心何感，为虞人所得。空自那呈文邹邦鲁国，邹邦鲁国。四兽之灵依谁识，依谁为识。

Fourth Section: Long Sigh for the Auspicious Qilin

My heart is heavy with sorrow,

Rituals and music are in decay, and the principles of governance are utterly broken.

In this time, the songs of the Yong dynasty reach the three states,

And there are rulers from barbarian tribes.

The auspicious Qilin appears, but who could have foreseen such misfortune?

A ruler of virtue, yet no enlightened king appears to claim it.

The Qilin's glory fades, its once vibrant colors now dimmed.

At that time, there was no wise ruler,

The heart of the Shusun family, what sorrow they must have felt,

For the Qilin was captured by the people of the Yu state.

Alas, what good was it to send a memorial to the states of Zou and Lu?

The four sacred beasts—who would recognize them?

Who would truly understand their meaning?

第五段 幽愤慨叹

慨叹成幽愤，成幽愤。吁嗟乎麒麟兽之尊，马蹄牛尾那而麕身。懐治化仁，玉趾而振振。行不侣，止不群。今遭丧于叔孙，遭丧于叔孙。木精也，依谁论，依谁论，嗟呼不仁之人。

Fifth Section: A Deep Sigh of Resentment

A deep sigh turns into a bitter resentment,

Oh, the noble Qilin beast, with the hooves of a horse and the tail of an ox,

Its body like a deer, embodying governance and benevolence,

With jade-like hooves that tremble with grace.

It walks without companions, rests without a group,

Yet now it suffers misfortune at the hands of the Shusun family,

It has fallen to ruin at the hands of the Shusun family.

It is a spirit of the wood, yet who will understand it?

Who will truly understand its meaning?

Alas, those without virtue, how blind they are!

第六段 绝笔春秋

周道不兴，感嘉祯之无应。麟瑞兮郊薮而空呈，笔绝兮归欤，雅乐将焉正。吾道天丧盛贤鲁卫之聘。知我罪我，笔绝那春秋之秉。道之那将行，道之将丧从天命，道之将丧从天命。 Sixth Section: The Final Stroke of the Spring and Autumn Annals

The Way of Zhou is in decline,

The auspicious signs fail to respond to their expectations.

The Qilin’s omen appears, yet it fades away in the wilderness,

The pen falls silent, returning to its origin,

The elegant music seeks to restore order.

My way is aligned with the loss of the virtuous,

The invitation of the states of Lu and Wei has failed.

If you know my faults, I will accept them,

The pen falls silent, unable to continue the *Spring and Autumn Annals*.

The Way will no longer prevail,

It will be lost according to the will of Heaven,

The Way will be lost, for it is decreed by Heaven’s command. （本文内容除视频音频外皆源自维基百科，英文翻译大量依靠Chatgpt，尚未进行全面校对。The content of this text, except for videos and audio, is sourced from Wikipedia. The English translation heavily relies on ChatGPT and has not yet undergone thorough proofreading. ）