The Tale of Mulan
Women are unable to fight
Only to cook with delight
To put a smile up on the face
To show that we embrace
What others have said
My father was drafted into the war
I cried my tears when a bird soared forward
To my house with a ribbon attached to its feet
For honor, for the country, lived father
All I could do was sob
He was an old man
A veteran.
I should have gone
It should have been me
But I’m restricted
Because I’m a woman
Because I have to cook and breed
It’s my destiny.
But what is this?
I’m at misery.
I’ve enough of this,
This limitation is senseless
These rules are pure madness
That women cannot fight
That women will die if they resist.
I’ve enough!
I set out today
With rage on my face
Mad at the Huns
Furious at the law,
At society, in which I live.
I will fight for revenge
For my father,
For my country
But what is this,
Although my country is cruel
Although it took away my everything
I still have the sense to love it.
I will fight!
My heart cries out loud
As I tear the Huns apart
Their bodies fall down
But so do mine,
For my enemy drew a sword upon my body.
Awoke I am
Seen by my fellow soldiers
And by General Li Shang
Regret cuts his face
For he has no choice
But to sharpen his knife
And to see the terror on my face
Get up!
Into the snow!
I will cut your head with my sword!
He says with pain,
He has no choice but to follow the law,
No choice but to burn the memories of comradeship,
He takes a plunge with his blade towards my neck.
After all the things I did
I would die for my country
But I never expected to be killed by it
Why does my heart feel so empty?
Is it hatred or sadness that fills me?
How shameful it is
To be killed by our blade
Father, I’m sorry I’ve failed you
I’ve brought shame upon our name
This name we’ve fought for
I thought to fight for what I love was right
It was a mistake
I’m Sorry, Father.
The blade rips through my neck
And I die a shameful death.