I first learned this beautiful song when I was asked to perform at a Chinese New Year celebration in 2013. I needed to find 2 Chinese songs to learn and my mother suggested Green Island Serenade (绿岛小夜曲). The song (from 1954) was written by Zhou Lanping from Taiwan, where my mother was born and raised. It has become famous and beloved all over China. In fact, had I realized just how popular this song was before I learned it, I might not have had the guts to sing it at that Chinese New Year party!

As I was learning it in early 2013, I was just finishing up work on my debut album, Bedroom Voice. I showed it to my producer, Daniel Janke, and he was immediately smitten with the song. In fact, he wanted me to include it on Bedroom Voice. We didn't end up doing this because we couldn't schedule a recording session, but he didn't drop the idea of recording it sometime. 

I'm so pleased we finally got to record it, although I'm glad I had more time to learn the song and get the words right. Although Chinese is the first language I learned, it's also the one I use the least and singing in Chinese was a very different artistic challenge for me!

Here are the lyrics:

这绿岛像一只船 
在月夜里摇呀摇 

姑娘哟妳也在我的 
心海里飘呀飘 

让我的歌声随那微风 
吹开了妳的窗帘 

让我的衷情随那流水 
不断地向妳倾诉 

椰子树的长影 
掩不住我的情意 

明媚的月光 
更照亮了我的心 

这绿岛的夜已经 
这样沉静 

姑娘哟妳为什么 
还是默默无语 

English translation: 
This green island, is like a boat rocking in the moonlight. 
Darling, you are floating in the sea of my heart. 
Let the melody of my song follow the breeze blowing through your curtains. 
Let my love go with the flowing water, serenading you. 
The coconut tree's long shadow cannot hide my gentle love. 
The clear bright moonlight lights my heart. 
This green island night appears so peaceful. 
Darling, why do you keep silent?

Isn't that lovely? I'm learning 2 more songs for this year's Chinese New Year celebration. I hope someday I get to perform them (as well as my other music) somewhere in China!

For the video, please visit fawnfritzen.com/china