The Illustrious Ancestor

Lie Zu (The Illustrious Ancestor)

Preface: Lie Zu is a hymn for the sacrifice to Zhong Zong (King Tai Wu of Shang).

Ah! Ah! The great and illustrious ancestor, bestowing upon us such abundant blessings. Repeatedly granting endless grace, extending always to your dwelling place.

The clear, fine wine has been set out, praying to the spirits to grant us success and blessing.

There is also the well-blended meat broth, already prepared and harmonious. Silently we pray without words, at this moment there is no contention.

Grant us long eyebrows of longevity, living to a great age without end.

The chariot hubs are wrapped in leather, the crossbar adorned with patterns, eight ringing bells jingle in harmony—thus we come to offer sacrifice, receiving Heaven’s mandate boundless and vast.

Heaven will send down peace, bringing abundant harvests, with grain piled high like mountains.

The spirits come and descend to enjoy the offerings, the blessings they send down are without limit.

Regard our seasonal autumn and winter sacrifices, offered by the descendants of Tang the Successful.

Lie Zu, one stanza of twenty-two lines.