The sound of cicadas echoes across the playground during naps
多少年后也还是很好听
duō shǎo nián hòu yě hái shì hěn hǎo tīng
Even after many years, it still sounds so lovely
将愿望折纸飞机寄成信
jiāng yuàn wàng zhé zhǐ fēi jī jì chéng xìn
We folded our wishes into paper planes, sending them as letters
因为我们等不到那流星
yīn wèi wǒ men děng bú dào nà liú xīng
Because we could never wait long enough for a shooting star
认真投决定命运的硬币
rèn zhēn tóu jué dìng mìng yùn de yìng bì
We tossed the coin that decided our fate so earnestly
却不知道到底能去哪里
què bù zhī dào dào dǐ néng qù nǎ lǐ
Yet we didn’t know where it would truly take us
一起长大的约定 那样清晰 打过勾的我相信
yī qǐ zhǎng dà de yuē dìng nà yàng qīng xī dǎ guò gōu de wǒ xiāng xìn
Our promise to grow up together—so clear, pinky-sworn, and I still believe
说好要一起旅行 是妳如今 唯一坚持的任性
shuō hǎo yào yī qǐ lǚ xíng shì nǐ rú jīn wéi yī jiān chí de rèn xìng
We promised to travel together—your only stubbornness now is keeping that dream
在走廊上罚站打手心
zài zǒu láng shàng fá zhàn dǎ shǒu xīn
Standing punished in the hallway, palms out for slaps
我们却注意窗边的蜻蜓
wǒ men què zhù yì chuāng biān de qīng tíng
Yet we were distracted, watching the dragonfly by the window
我去到哪里妳都跟很紧
wǒ qù dào nǎ lǐ nǐ dōu gēn hěn jǐn
No matter where I went, you always followed closely behind
很多的梦在等待着进行
hěn duō de mèng zài děng dài zhe jìn xíng
So many dreams were still waiting to come true
一起长大的约定 那样清晰 打过勾的我相信
yī qǐ zhǎng dà de yuē dìng nà yàng qīng xī dǎ guò gōu de wǒ xiāng xìn
Our promise to grow up together—so clear, pinky-sworn, and I still believe
说好要一起旅行 是妳如今 唯一坚持的任性
shuō hǎo yào yī qǐ lǚ xíng shì nǐ rú jīn wéi yī jiān chí de rèn xìng
We promised to travel together—your only stubbornness now is keeping that dream
一起长大的约定 那样真心 与妳聊不完的曾经
yī qǐ zhǎng dà de yuē dìng nà yàng zhēn xīn yǔ nǐ liáo bù wán de céng jīng
Our promise from childhood—so sincere, with endless stories we could share
而我已经分不清 妳是友情 还是错过的爱情
ér wǒ yǐ jīng fēn bù qīng nǐ shì yǒu qíng hái shì cuò guò de ài qíng
And now I can no longer tell—were you my friend, or the love I missed?
Song Interpretation
Short Summary
“蒲公英的约定” (A Dandelion's Promise) by Jay Chou reflects childhood memories, innocence, and the bittersweet distance between friendship and lost love. Through imagery of dandelions, cicadas, and schoolyard moments, it captures the fleeting purity of youth and the longing to preserve unbroken promises.
Detailed Insights
The song paints a nostalgic picture of school days—dandelions by the fence, cicada songs, folded paper planes—all representing the simplicity of dreams and friendship. These vivid childhood details are signature of lyricist Vincent Fang’s poetic storytelling.
The recurring chorus, “一起长大的约定” (“the promise to grow up together”), serves as both a literal memory and a metaphor for bonds that change with time. The pinky swear once symbolized eternal friendship, but as the years pass, the narrator questions whether the connection was platonic or love quietly missed.
Musically, Jay Chou’s gentle piano and soft vocal tone reinforce the wistful mood. The song bridges innocence and maturity, reminding listeners that the most profound promises often begin in childhood yet linger unfulfilled into adulthood.