San Francisco Poets – Show Me the Money

One San Francisco poet, writing in the early 20th century, wrote something that no other poet ever said in the history of Chinese literature (probably): having money is more important than having sons! This is a huge statement that runs against much of traditional Chinese thinking. But, this anonymous poet, though writing in a mixture of Cantonese and Classical Chinese, is an American, so it makes sense. Join Rob and Lee for their look at this poem published in either 1911 or 1915 in San Francisco’s Chinatown. 

My Translation

Which is after all better to have, Sons or Money?

Of course, it has got to be money that is #1. 

No money and it is hard to talk about freedom and rights. 

Having a son, you take care of them, but money, it takes care of you. 

Money is tops!

It wins because spending money makes everything convenient. 

Sons waste daddy’s money, it’s always the same old story. 

But, I’m afraid to say it, it is so messed up, but dad’s can only drool at their son’s money. 

Original

兒錢究孰善。本係錢為先。 

無錢難講自由權。 膝下1顧丁錢顧面。

錢高見。 勝使錢方便。

子費父錢誠弗鮮。 子錢父怕枉垂涎