I married a merchant
Who often traveled to the Ju-tang Gorge 2
And always put off the day of his return.
If I had known that the tide ebbs and flows regularly,
I would have married a tide player 3.
1 The river refers to the Yangtze River.
2
The Ju-tang Gorge is a treacherous section of the Yangtze River.
3
When the tide came in, tide players would ride a small boat to meet the
tide. Breaking dangerous waves, the boat would advance and retreat with the
tide.