Blue Collar 子衿 (DJ Spinna Galactic Soul Remix)

ZY THE WAY’s “Blue Collar 子衿” reimagines an ancient Chinese love poem with a contemporary twist, exploring themes of longing and separation through the lens of historical scholarship. This track delves into a poignant narrative from the Classic of Poetry (Shijing 詩經), where “blue collar” traditionally referred to young scholars in Imperial China, not manual laborers as in modern usage.

The poem reflects a heartfelt dialogue between two young lovers, with the “blue collar” symbolizing the attire of scholars, evoking youth and academic aspiration. The contrasting imagery of longing and distance transcends time, presenting a timeless story of emotional depth and yearning.

DJ Spinna’s “Galactic Soul Remix” brings a vibrant, deep-house energy to the original track, infusing it with Spinna’s signature groove and rich rhythmic layers. Known for his eclectic mastery across genres, Spinna’s remix adds a fresh dimension to Zy The Way’s innovative blend of ancient poetry and modern jazz.

To celebrate this release, a limited edition of 100 vinyl records featuring the Galactic Soul Remix will be available on September 29th for Confucius Day. This exclusive collector’s item includes stunning screen-printed artwork and completes the second half of Zy The Way’s 中庸 vinyl set, following the “Ten Acres 十畝之間” single and remix by Mark de Clive-Lowe.

Immerse yourself in the transformative blend of ancient narrative and modern beats with DJ Spinna’s Galactic Soul Remix.

[VERSE 1]

青青子衿，
Qīngqīng zi jīn,
悠悠我心。
yōuyōu wǒ xīn.
縱我不往，
Zòng wǒ bù wǎng,
子寧不嗣音？
zi níng bù sì yīn?

[VERSE 2]

青青子佩，
Qīngqīng zi pèi,
悠悠我思。
yōuyōu wǒ sī.
縱我不往，
Zòng wǒ bù wǎng,
子寧
zi níng
不來？
bù lái?

[VERSE 3]

不來？
Bù lái
挑兮達
Tiāo xī tá,
在城
Zài chéng
闕兮
què xī.

一日不見，如三
Yī rì bùjiàn, rú sān
月兮。
yuè xī.

Lyrics are based on the poem 'Ten Acres of Leisure 十畝之間’ from ‘Book of Poetry (Shijing 詩經)’ as compiled by Confucious 3000-years-ago.

English Translation:
You with the blue collar,
How my heart yearns for you,
Though I cannot go and visit,
Why won’t you write?

You with the blue sash,
How I constantly think of you.
Though I cannot go and visit,
Why won’t you come to me?

Eagerly I search for you,
Pacing to and fro -
Atop the city wall.
A day without seeing you,
Feels like three months.

Translation by Dr Annie Luman Ren from the Australian Centre on China in the World.