Have a Cup of Tea II — Who Is Drinking Tea? Lyrics: Amy Huang (黃慕瑾) [Intro — Acoustic Guitar, Jazzy Piano, Gentle Teacup Chimes] Morning sunlight, a little steam, Another day, another dream. Water sings, the teacups ring, How ordinary life can sing! [Verse 1 — Thoughts Come and Go] The morning bell, the waking mind, A thousand little things to find. I dress, I wash, I plan my day, Then watch my thoughts all drift away. One thought arrives, another flies, I chase the clouds across the skies. I try to put the world in place, But find new waves I have to chase. Like drifting leaves upon a stream, Where does the thinker go between? [Verse 2 — Searching for the Self] The thought of waking has moved on, The mood I had is already gone. Yesterday cannot be recalled, Tomorrow’s plans are still not all. Thoughts rise like bubbles, fade like mist, Can we hold on to what can’t persist? Who is this one who hurries all day? Who links these thoughts along the way? Is it the tongue that tastes the tea, Or something deeper, quietly? [Chorus — The Great Question] Who is drinking tea? Who is chanting? Who is asking, “Who is me?” Let the question rest, just let it be, No need to chase what you cannot see. The tea is warm, the clouds drift by, Let flowers bloom beneath the sky. No miracle to seek or find, No perfect plan for peace of mind. A temple bell rings clear and bright, The clouds part ways; the moon shines white. Have a cup of tea… Right here, right now, Where else would you need to be? [Verse 3 — The Way of Ordinary Life] Grow in kindness, day by day, Walk with care along the way. Honor those who’ve cared for you, Speak with warmth in all you do. Sweep the floor or cook a meal, Simple acts can help us heal. Wisdom isn’t far away, It’s in the life we live today. No need to search for realms above, A bowl of rice, a cup of love. Let the world turn as it will, Sip your tea and just sit still. Come, come, come, there’s time to spare, The fragrance of tea is everywhere. [Bridge — Ripples and Moonlight] Thoughts are bubbles on the stream, Round for a moment, gone like a dream. Waves may rise and waves may fall, The water holds them, one and all. The moon reflects, yet stays unmoved, Behind the clouds, its light is smooth. Can words reveal what silence knows? Can silence tell us where wisdom grows? Don’t lock the answer in a phrase, Or search for truth in distant days. One sip of tea, a gentle glow, The taste of life is here, you know. [Chorus — The Great Question] Who is drinking tea? Who is chanting? Who is asking, “Who is me?” Let the question rest, just let it be, No need to chase what you cannot see. The tea is warm, the clouds drift by, Let flowers bloom beneath the sky. No miracle to seek or find, No perfect plan for peace of mind. A temple bell rings clear and bright, The clouds part ways; the moon shines white. Have a cup of tea… Right here, right now, Where else would you need to be? [Outro — Soft Jazz Piano and Gentle Acoustic Guitar] Take a sip of tea… Who is drinking tea? When thoughts arrive, let them appear. When thoughts depart, don’t pull them near. No answers hiding in yesterday, No distant home we need to find today. The fragrance fades, the shadows grow, Life moves gently, ebb and flow. (Set the teacup down with a delicate chime.) Who is drinking tea? … The tea is here. And so are you. Let ordinary moments Become a life lived true. Have a cup of tea.
