The English translation of "天才白癡夢" (Tian Cai Bai Chi Meng), a classic Cantonese song originally performed by Sam Hui, is as follows:
"A Dream of Genius and Fool"
In this world, is there a genius or a fool?
Who can truly tell the difference?
A genius's dream, a fool's dream,
In the end, they all vanish like smoke.
Some pursue fame, some chase wealth,
But in the end, what do they gain?
A moment of glory, a lifetime of regret,
Is it worth the pain and the strife?
The genius laughs, the fool cries,
But both are trapped in the same game.
The world is but a stage,
And we are all just players in the end.
So dream your dreams, whether big or small,
For in the end, it's all the same.
A genius or a fool, it matters not,
As long as you live with no shame.
This translation captures the essence of the song, which reflects on the fleeting nature of success and the blurred line between genius and folly. The lyrics encourage listeners to pursue their dreams without being overly concerned with societal labels.