来自远古的回声•仙舟传统曲艺大观 Echoes of Antiquity: A Grand Overview of Traditional Xianzhou Folk Culture

西衍先生为化外民游客撰写的仙舟曲艺小科普。 A small pop-science book on Xianzhou folk arts written by Mr. Xiyan for outworlders.

序言 Preamble

相对于诸位客官蓬勃发展、日新月异的文化娱乐产业，仙舟上的文化娱乐产业发展较为缓慢。毕竟文娱的发展需要旧世代结束、新时代来临，可仙舟的每一个世代都无比漫长，也就使得仙舟上的任何一种审美趣味都很难在短时间内退潮。

Compared with your thriving and ever-changing entertainment industries, culture and entertainment on Xianzhou have developed rather slowly. Developments in culture always require the new to supersede and replace the old, but as each generation on Xianzhou is so long, it's difficult to change any aesthetic trends or styles.

当然，以上只是低情商的说法。高情商的说法是：仙舟上的主流文娱活动较为古雅，甚至保留了很多远古时期的原貌。只要客官在演出之夜来到不夜侯，也一定能感受到这种独特的魅力。曾有客官在看完演出后对我说：「听完小曲我不禁潸然泪下，因为我仿佛听到了来自远古的回声！」

Of course, this is just a crude interpretation. A more nuanced interpretation would be: Mainstream culture on the Xianzhou is rather classical, even retaining many original forms from antiquity. You'll definitely feel its unique charm as long as you visit the Sleepless Earl on a storytelling night. Somebody once told me after listening to a performance: "I can't help but cry after listening to that tune. It feels like I were listening in to echoes of antiquity!"

我与西衍先生是多年交情的老友，他这人喜好评点，一日突然心血来潮想要把这些旧日的曲艺编辑整理，我也趁机催促，不得让他中途反悔。我的小女儿梦茗年纪小小，对这些过去的文娱活动也不大熟悉，这本小册子对她也有些帮助。

Mr. Xiyan and I are old friends, and he really loves discourse. One day, he acted on a whim and began collating all of these old songs for organizing. I took my chances too, and encouraged him not to quit. My daughter Mengming is young, and doesn't know about all this old culture. This book is extremely helpful for her.

如果诸位客官对这些「来自远古的回声」有兴趣，就来听西衍先生为您介绍一二吧！

If you're interested in these "Echoes of Antiquity," then come and let Mr. Xiyan teach you a thing or two!

淑桦

Shuhua

评书 Storytelling

评书是几乎所有仙舟住民都相当热爱的曲艺形式。它的演出方式极为简单：戏台上一人、一扇、一醒木，满堂的宾客倾耳听。单凭我红口白牙一张嘴，便将这千古的风流道个清。

Storytelling is a form of folk art enjoyed by almost all Xianzhou residents. It's an extremely simple art form: One person, one fan, and one gavel on stage, with a full house listening on. That's all you need to know about this ancient art.

这评书的内容无外乎三种：传奇故事、历史演义、市井谐谑。传奇故事又分神鬼书、公案书和侠客书；历史演义又分帝王书、英雄书和恶人书；市井谐谑分得倒是没那么细，主要内容也都是讲一些贴近生活的小故事，以幽默为主。

Storytelling themes fall into three categories: Legendary stories, historical epics, and urban banter. Legendary stories divide tales into supernatural, mystery, and chivalry. Historical epics, meanwhile, divide tales into imperial, heroic, and villainous. Urban banter tales don't really have their own subcategories, and focus instead on those small, everyday stories — particularly humorous ones.

这评书看着简单，实际上门道儿可多着呢。在下说评书，少说也有个六百年了，可要真要来了个不开眼的小辈问在下：「西衍先生，您会不会说书啊？」我也只能厚着脸皮回答他：「勉勉强强会吧。」

Storytelling may look simple enough, but there are in fact many different ways of doing it. My humble style is at least 600 years old, but when an ignorant junior asks me, "Mr. Xiyan, do you know how to perform storytelling?" I could only answer, cheekily: "Barely."

评书只靠一张嘴，却不能让您坐在那里干巴巴地「听故事」，评书演员得让您「看得见、摸得着、闻得到」。虽然您只是在那儿坐着，但是在下得让您觉得是当真进了这故事里。您比方说在下今天讲个五千年前的血战——那时候甭说您了，这世上还没我呢——但也要让您听完了觉得，自己就是亲历者，是方才刚从前线逃回来的。

All you need to tell stories is your mouth, but you can't just leave people there "listening" to a boring story. No, a storyteller lets you see, feel, and smell each little detail. Even though you're just sitting there, I have to take you along with me, so it feels like you were immersed in this story. For example, if you're talking about a treacherous battle some 5000 years ago — one you weren't around to see, heck, I wasn't even around back then. You want to leave feeling as though you were an eyewitness who just escaped the perils of the frontline.

不过说到底，在下这里说得再热闹，您也很难真正身历其境。不如这样，您找个时间来一趟不夜侯，要正好能赶上在下的演出，那您就都明白了。

But really, it's impossible to get a sense of it no matter how lively I might describe things to you. You're better off going into the Sleepless Earl and catching one of my humble performances: Then, you'll eventually get it.

要是不巧当天没有在下的演出，倒也无妨。不夜侯里面演出的节目，个顶个都能让您觉得不虚此行。至于还有什么值得一看的仙舟曲艺，我们下篇再讲。

It's okay if I don't have a show that day. Any show performed at the Sleepless Earl will leave you feeling satisfied. As for other precious Xianzhou folk art forms out there, we will continue discussions below.

仙舟坠子 Xianzhou Chordophone

仙舟坠子是仙舟人的传统曲艺。因为演员要拉着坠子琴伴奏，自弹自唱，因而得名「仙舟坠子」。仙舟坠子的唱词和念白，市井气息都比较浓重，以通俗的口语为主，有时甚至并不严格押韵。主题选择上则较为广泛，从英雄好汉到儿女情长，都是坠子演员喜欢的主题。

Xianzhou Chordophone is a kind of traditional folk art. The name comes from the performer who has to play a chordophone while reciting along at the same time, hence, "Xianzhou Chordophone." The lyrics and rapping of this style convey a vivid ambience of everyday markets, mainly using urban slang and sometimes even lacking strict rhymes. Its themes cover a wide range, from heroes of yore to passionate romance.

依在下来看，仙舟坠子是仙舟曲艺中入行门槛最高的曲种了。想表演仙舟坠子，您不仅要口条儿利索，还要善于表演。要通过唱词和念白，一人分饰好几个角色，还得让观众分得清。

In my humble opinion, Xianzhou Chordophone has the highest barrier to entry for any local folk art: Not only do prospective artists need to be nimble in speech, but they also have to be excellent performers. One solo performer has to play many characters, distinguishing each to the audience by using only recitation and rap.

不仅如此，既然它名为「坠子」，那自然对坠子琴的演奏技巧也有极高的要求。坠子琴只有三根弦，坠子演员却能用它烘托出百种氛围、表现出千种场景、传达出万种情绪，这可不是仅靠「会弹琴」就能做到的事儿。

Not just that, but it's called "Chordophone" for a reason: Extreme proficiency in playing the Xianzhou chordophone is naturally a key requirement. Despite having only three strings, a Xianzhou Chordophone performer can use them to subtly evoke thousands of different moods, scenes, and emotions. I'm not talking about merely stringing along on a chordophone here.

在下年轻时，曾听过杞菊先生的坠子书《景元初狩》。说是年轻，但彼时在下也快三百岁了…可杞菊先生精湛的演技和卓绝的弹奏技巧，仍然令在下深感震撼。

When I was young, I heard Master Qiju's chordophone tale "Jing Yuan's First Hunt." By "young," I was almost 300 years old... But her superb acting and outstanding musicianship still move me deeply to this day.

现如今，杞菊先生早已迈入因果殿。一些新演员经过百年来的沉淀，也能将这出戏演得尽善尽美。可在下还是渴望能再听一次她弹唱的《景元初狩》。

Now, Master Qiju has already entered into the Hall of Karma. Some new performers have honed their craft over the centuries to also perform this masterpiece to perfection. But I truly still prefer and yearn to hear her rendition of "Jing Yuan's First Hunt."

狐人大鼓 Foxian Drum Chant

在仙舟所有的地方戏曲中，狐人大鼓是最为年轻的。

Foxian Drum Chant is the youngest out of all the Xianzhou regional folk arts.

它起源于狐人一族刚刚加入仙舟联盟时，一边敲着锅一边沿街叫卖的狐人行商。狐人大鼓一般由演员一边击鼓打节奏一边演唱，在大部分时候只有唱段，而几乎没有念白。

Its origins can be traced back to the first foxian merchants banging pots and hawking goods out on the street when the foxians first joined the Xianzhou Alliance. Performers strike drums while singing with the rhythm. It's almost exclusively a singing art, with almost no spoken word.

狐人大鼓在主题选择上，也和狐人一族的性格颇为一致，喜欢歌颂英雄和爱情、表现激昂的战斗和炽热的感情。不过，相比仙舟坠子的直白质朴，狐人大鼓的唱词却往往用词唯美、意境辽阔。

Foxian Drum Chant themes closely align with the ethnic characteristics of the foxians, who praise heroes and romance while singing of passionate battles and ardent emotion. However, compared with the simplicity of Xianzhou Chordophone, foxian drum chanters usually adopt serenely beautiful and boundlessly evocative lyrics.

但在下觉得这也不算矛盾，毕竟狐人大鼓最早期的唱词之一，就是狐人族的传统史诗《青丘歌史》。

But I don't think this is a contradiction. After all, one of the earliest Foxian Drum Chant songs is the foxian traditional "Epic of Verdantia."

近些年来仙舟上重演比较频繁的两段狐人大鼓，当属讲述历史英雄的《云骑斗步离》和轻松愉快的爱情喜剧《狐媚记》。您要是有闲工夫，推荐您来听听。

In recent years, two Foxian Drum Chants have become quite popular: The "Cloud Knights Against the borisin" with its depiction of historical heroes, and the soft, joyful romance of "Foxian Bewitched." If you've got the time to spare, I recommend you give them a listen.

持明时调 Vidyadhara Elegies

仙舟坠子和狐人大鼓，都不算特别重视唱段的旋律。仙舟人主要重视坠琴的演奏，而非自己的演唱。狐人更重视唱词的内容，往往整段大鼓都是用同一句旋律唱下来的。持明则不同，他们配器简单（只拿一个响板），唱词古雅，且旋律极为多变。

Neither Xianzhou Chordophone players nor Foxian Drum Chanters really pay much attention to melody. Xianzhou locals focus on their playing of the chordophone, rather than singing, while the foxians focus on lyrics, often beating the drum along to the same melody for the whole song. The Vidyadhara locals are different: They use only a simple castanet for their instrument, relying on extremely diverse sets of melodies.

不过，倘使您是位心善的观众，特别听不得人受苦难的故事，那您要是在哪儿看见有个持明，手里举着响板——然后这位持明奏起响板，开口便唱…在下奉劝您还是快跑吧，接下来的事儿您未必能受得了。

But if you're a cheery listener who doesn't particularly like to hear tales of suffering, and you see a Vidyadhara local take up their castanet to start clacking and singing... Then I humbly advise you to run for the hills! As what follows may just be unbearable for you.

因为，持明时调可算是仙舟传统文艺中悲剧美学的代表。同样是唱爱情，仙舟人唱两小无猜、狐人唱干柴烈火、持明唱失之交臂。同样是唱英雄，仙舟人唱侠肝义胆、狐人唱惩奸除恶、持明唱大业未成。

It's because Vidyadhara elegies can be said to represent all of the most tragic aspects of Xianzhou culture. When singing of love, Xianzhou Chordophists sing of schoolyard crushes, foxians chant of unbridled passion, but the Vidyadhara players sing about loves lost. Similarly, the heroes of Xianzhou songs are chivalrous and courageous, the foxian heroes drive out treacherous evil, but the Vidyadhara players sing of pyrrhic victories.

持明时调偏爱悲剧，结局圆满的剧目屈指可数，大都会给观众留下个意难平的尾巴。现在想来，持明时调起源于持明在汤海里挣扎的时代，这种对悲剧美学的执着，兴许也是来自那段艰苦的岁月吧。

Vidyadhara elegies suit a tragic tone, and they only have a handful of happy endings. Most performances leave listeners with a bitter-sweet taste. Now that I think about it, Vidyadhara elegies originate from an era of great unrest for them, and perhaps this commitment to the tragic form comes from such times of turmoil.

前几百年，有个叫凌解的持明，唱了《龙牙传》和《再生缘》两出戏，火遍了罗浮仙舟。《龙牙传》是个悲剧结局的英雄史诗，《再生缘》则写了一段仙舟人和持明之间必然以悲剧告终的爱情。

Several hundred years ago, there was once a Vidyadhara player named Ling Jie who sang two operas which went sensationally viral aboard the Xianzhou Luofu: "Dragontooth Tales" and "Fateful Rebirth." "Dragontooth Tales" is a heroic epic with a tragic ending, while "Fateful Rebirth" tells of the ill-fated romance between a Xianzhou local and a Vidyadhara local that can only end in tragedy for all.

如今凌解已然蜕卵重生，但她的作品却并未成为绝响。有无数仙舟住民都追随着凌解的脚步，走上了持明时调的道路。其中有不少人甚至都不是持明。在如今这个时代，您要是在仙舟上听见有人在唱持明时调，那位演员十有八九都会自称是仰慕凌解的门生。

Nowadays, Ling Jie has been hatched and reborn, but her works have not been lost. Countless Xianzhou residents follow in the footsteps of Ling Jie and study these elegies, many of whom are not even Vidyadhara themselves. In this day and age, whenever you hear someone singing a Vidyadhara elegy in Xianzhou, they'll almost definitely claim to be a devoted disciple of Ling Jie.

所以在下总觉得，凌解并没有像其他持明一样重生，而是作为一种文化，在仙舟住民的心中真正地永生了。

That's why I always thought that Ling Jie's rebirth was different from other Vidyadhara players. Her culture really does live on forever in the hearts of Xianzhou residents.

相声 Crosstalk Comedy

关于相声的起源，在仙舟上有各种说法，各种说法的支持者之间争论不休。但在下斗胆一言：这种争论没什么意思，更没什么意义。我们只需要知道，相声是仙舟市井生活极为重要的组成部分，这就足够了。

There are various theories about the origins of crosstalk in Xianzhou, and each is debated more vigorously than the next. But I venture to surmise that this debate is rather boring, and even more meaningless. All you need to know is that crosstalk comedy forms an extremely important part of civil life in Xianzhou, and that's enough.

据在下所知，无论是仙舟人、狐人、持明乃至化外民，不喜欢听戏的大有人在，不爱听评书的更是不胜枚举，但讨厌相声的却是凤毛麟角。

As far as I know, it's by no means rare to find Xianzhou humans, foxians, Vidyadhara, and even Outworlders who care not for opera and storytelling. However, there is hardly anyone who hates crosstalk.

原因也很简单，相声雅俗共赏，轻松诙谐。有时候您累了一天，就想好好放松一下身体和脑子，那在这时候，找一间茶馆，捧一壶热茶，瘫在椅子上听段相声——哎，再难找比这更惬意的事了！

It's simple to see why. Crosstalk is stylish, popular, easygoing, and funny. After a long and exhausting day, sometimes you just want to relax your body and mind. That's when you find a teahouse, order a pot of hot tea, and lie back in your chair to enjoy some crosstalk — ah, now that's the life!

相声一般来说要两个人来演，一个负责抛出笑话，一个负责接住笑话，在这样有来有往的对话之间，讲出一个个妙趣横生的小故事。

Crosstalk usually requires two people to perform. One performer throws out the jokes, while the other catches and builds upon them. Back and forth the conversation goes, as they talk up a hilariously witty little skit.

在下的本行是评书，但相声演员和评书演员都是靠空口说白话来赚钱的营生，有很多共同之处。早前在下跟列位讲，评书不仅要让人听到故事，更要让人身临其境——相声也是如此。

My humble profession might be storytelling, but crosstalk performers have much in common with us, relying on our quick tongue and wit to make a living. I spoke earlier about how a good storyteller shouldn't just talk, but rather immerse the audience in a scene — crosstalk is just the same.

而且，相声不仅要一位演员能力过硬，搭档要是没本事，那纵使自己有着经天纬地之才，那也纯属白搭。两个人之间默契的配合才能带来精妙的节奏，而这种独特的叙事节奏，恰恰就是相声能令人开怀大笑的不二法宝。

What's more, crosstalk needs more than just one master performer. If your partner's found lacking, then even the greatest crosstalker of all time would turn out to be no good. There's a teamwork between two people that creates a delicate beat, and this unique narrative rhythm happens to be the magic that captures crosstalk's wit and wonder.

这时候有观众就要说了：「从这个角度来说，难道相声比评书还难点儿？」

This is where some audiences will ask, "In that case, isn't crosstalk more difficult than storytelling?"

这…在下就不做判断了。不如您亲自来不夜侯，听听评书，再听听相声，然后自己下判断，如何？

Well... I'll cast no judgment here. Why not drop into the Sleepless Earl for some storytelling and crosstalk? And then you'll be able to decide for yourself.

杂技 Acrobatics

如果说相声是用语言给观众带来快乐，那么杂技就是用肢体动作来为观众带来快乐。

If crosstalk uses words to bring joy to the audience, then acrobats use their body movements to do the same.

在仙舟，杂技是一项几乎和时间一样悠久的传统技艺。仙舟人、狐人、持明，从我们还没在仙舟上齐聚一堂的时候开始，就都有各自的杂技传统。原因也很简单——任何时代、任何种族的任何人，都有些奇人异士有撂地卖艺的需求或兴趣。

Acrobatics in Xianzhou is a traditional art almost as old as time. The Xianzhou humans, foxians, and Vidyadhara all have their own acrobatic traditions even before joining the Xianzhou. The reason is simple, too — in any time, place, and society, there'll always be marvelous buskers with talent, an interest to perform, and a need for money.

为了呈现那些眼花缭乱的效果，杂技的技巧五花八门。有些是硬桥硬马的真功夫，有些则是充满巧思的魔术障眼法，后者的效果往往更好。您想想，一个持明表演「云吟法术」，虽然需要勤学苦练，但并不怎么令人惊奇，持明族本来就会这些个奇异手段；但一个狐人要是表演一段「云吟法术」，那就一定会在观众们诧异的眼神中赢得满堂彩，因为大家都不知道狐人是如何做到的。

A variety of skills are used to put on dazzling acrobatics feats. Some are tough and hardcore stunts, while others are ingenious magic tricks — and the latter are often better for the show. Think about it: A Vidyadhara's performance of "Cloudcry Magic" takes painstaking practice, but doesn't really stupefy the crowd, as the Vidyadhara race has always known such tricks. However, a foxian's performance of "Cloudcry Magic" will earn a standing ovation for its astonishing wonder, because nobody can figure out how a foxian could have done it.

所以，当桂乃芬出现在仙舟杂技界时，立刻就让观众们沸腾了。

Therefore, when Guinaifen first debuted on the Xianzhou acrobatics scene, the audience went absolutely wild.

一个来自仙舟外的旅居者，竟学会了如此多的杂技技巧，甚至有不少在长生种看来都是颇为难以掌握的技巧…在下建议列位抽空都去看看桂乃芬的表演，亲身感受一下这位博取众家之长的天才杂技人到底还有多少本事。

A traveler from beyond Xianzhou had learned so many tricks, some of which are difficult to master even for long-life species... I humbly suggest that you take the time to watch Guinaifen's performance to experience for yourself just how much incredible skill this profoundly talented acrobat has.

在下看来，最重要的是，身为短生种的桂乃芬为仙舟暮气沉沉的曲艺界带来了一股新鲜空气。除了表演喷火、吞剑、顶碗、蹬伞、金枪锁喉、胸口碎大石这些传统杂技之外，她还创造性地发明了徒手接子弹、倒立吃面条、刷牙吹口哨等等独门绝活。

In my estimation, the most important aspect is that a short-life individual like Guinaifen has blasted a breath of fresh air through the stuffy world of Xianzhou folk art. Her acts include traditional stunts such as fire-breathing, sword-swallowing, bowl-balancing, umbrella-dancing, neck-pulling, and boulder-smashing — but she also invented her own uniquely creative tricks such as bullet-catching, eating noodles upside-down, whistling while brushing her teeth, and so on.

枉我半生说评书，任我伶牙齿又利，竟不能仅凭语言就让您领略到她万分之一的才华…哎，还是请诸君列位，有空亲自去欣赏一下吧。

I've spent half my life on storytelling and honed my craft with words, but I still have no words to describe even one-thousandth of her supreme talents... Ah, I warmly invite you to enjoy her performance should you have the time.