苏轼的《水调歌头》，是中秋词中最著名的一首，向来脍炙人口。胡仔《苕溪渔隐丛话》说：“中秋词自东坡《水调歌头》一出，余词尽废。”认为这是写中秋最好的一首词，此说是一点也不过分的。这首词仿佛是与明月的对话，在对话中探讨着人生的意义。既有理性，又有情趣，很是耐人寻味。现有英文版一首，请同学们赏析：
明月几时有
When will the moon be clear and bright?
把酒问青天
With a cup of wine in my hand, I ask the blue sky.
不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年
I don't know what season it would be in the heavens on this night.
我欲乘风归去
I'd like to ride the wind to fly home.
又恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒
Yet I fear the crystal and jade mansions are much too high and cold for me.
起舞弄清影
Dancing with my moon-lit shadow
何似在人间
It does not seem like the human world
转朱阁，低绮户
The moon rounds the red mansion Stoops to silk-pad doors
照无眠，不应有恨
Shines upon the sleepless Bearing no grudge
何事长向别时圆？
Why does the moon tend to be full when people are apart?
人有悲欢离合
People may have sorrow or joy, be near or far apart
月有阴晴圆缺
The moon may be dim or bright, wax or wane
此事古难全
This has been going on since the beginning of time
但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。
May we all be blessed with longevity Though far apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together.
——Translated by Shun-Yi Lee in 1998
