《送別》原歌曲是美國《夢見家和母親》(Dreaming of Home and Mother ), J.P Ordways寫的。這英文的歌詞其實不咋樣(下面附錄),但經過李叔同改寫的歌詞,這首歌變成了中國(華人社會) 人耳熟能詳的一首!英文歌詞唱起來反而拗口,意境下乘,俺曾經一度認為這首歌應該是屬於中國人創作的,因為歌詞和旋律契合,很有東方的味道,不似西方音樂!更沒有搖滾樂的因素。當然這首歌John P. Ordway在1868年所寫的,當時美國也沒有搖滾音樂,要到1970年代才出現搖滾音樂。所以當時許多美國的世俗歌曲,其實是帶有東方音樂的元素的。沒有意大利歌劇或西方古典音樂的味道。比如《科羅拉多之月》,是地道的美國當代流行歌曲。
原歌詞英文唱起了其實相當拗口,字節與旋律不是那麼配合。比如"Home of my childhood and mother"對上"芳草碧連天”,字節不一樣多,8個對5個,音符只有7個,所以 “mother”要變成2個同音的音符,取代“天”的一個四拍長音符。
原英文歌詞:
Dreaming of home,dear old home! Home of my childhood and mother; Oft when I wake 'tis sweet to find, I've been dreaming of home and mother; Home,Dear home,childhood happy home, When I played with sister and with brother, 'Twas the sweetest joy when we did roam, Over hill and thro' dale with mother. (Chorus) Dreaming of home,dear old home, Home of my childhood and mother; Oft when I wake 'tis sweet to find, I've been dreaming of home and mother. Sleep balmy sleep,close mine eyes, Keep me still thinking of mother; Hark! 'tis her voice I seem to hear. Yes,I'm dreaming of home and mother. Angels come,soothing me to rest, I can feel their presence and none other; For they sweetly say I shall be blest; With bright visions of home and mother. (Chorus) Childhood has come,come again, Sleeping I see my dear mother; See her loved form beside me kneel While I'm dreaming of home and mother. Mother dear,whisper to me now, Tell me of my sister and my brother; Now I feel thy hand upon my brow, Yes,I'm dreaming of home and mother.