Now, the Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES.
(MUSIC)
Every people has its own way of saying things, its own special expressions. These are the living speech of a people. And a story can be told about each of them.
The white swan – with its long, graceful neck – is among the most beautiful of birds. The swan is mostly silent through its life. It floats quietly on the water, unable to sing sweet songs like most other birds.
In ancient times, however, people believed that the swan was given a special gift of song at the end of its life. They believed a swan sings a most beautiful song...just before it dies.
The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates talked of this two thousand three hundred years ago. Socrates explained that the swan was singing because it was happy. The bird was happy because it was going to serve the Greek God Apollo. Swans were holy to Apollo, the god of poetry and song.
The story of the swan's last song found a place in the works of other writers, including the early English writers Chaucer and Shakespeare.
And, the expression swan song has long been a part of the English language. At first, swan song meant the last work of a poet, musician or writer. Now, it means the final effort of any person. Someone's swan song usually is also considered that person's finest work.
A political expression with a similar meaning is the last hurrah. The expression may be used to describe a politician's last campaign, his final attempt to win the cheers and votes of the people. The last hurrah also can mean the last acts of a politician, before his term in office ends.
Writer Edwin O'Connor made the expression popular in nineteen fifty-six. He wrote a book about the final years in the political life of a long-time mayor of
Some language experts say the expression came from a name given to noisy supporters of Andrew Jackson...
A newspaper of the time reported that VanBuren was elected president, in its words: "...by the hurrah boys, and those who knew just enough to shout hurrah for
(MUSIC)
This VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES was written by Marilyn Christiano. Maurice Joyce was the narrator. I'm Shirley Griffith.
Words and Their Stories: Swan Song
Now, the Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES.
现在是美国之音特别英语词汇典故节目。
(MUSIC)
Every people has its own way of saying things, its own special expressions. These are the living speech of a people. And a story can be told about each of them.
每个人都有自己描述事情的方式和独特的表达方式。这些都体现了一个民族的现存语言。每个表达都有它的故事。
The white swan – with its long, graceful neck – is among the most beautiful of birds. The swan is mostly silent through its life. It floats quietly on the water, unable to sing sweet songs like most other birds.
有着长而优雅脖子的白天鹅堪称世上最美丽的鸟。天鹅一生都很安静。像大部分鸟儿一样，天鹅不能展现它甜美的歌声，所以就很安静地飘在水面上。
In ancient times, however, people believed that the swan was given a special gift of song at the end of its life. They believed a swan sings a most beautiful song...just before it dies.
在古老年代，人们认为在天鹅生命的尽头，上天会给予它特殊的天赋——临死前，让天鹅唱一首最动听的歌曲。
The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates talked of this two thousand three hundred years ago. Socrates explained that the swan was singing because it was happy. The bird was happy because it was going to serve the Greek God Apollo. Swans were holy to Apollo, the god of poetry and song.
古希腊哲学家苏格拉底在2200年前就讲述过这个故事。苏格拉底解释天鹅知道自己要去服侍太阳神阿波罗了，感到很高兴，然后就用歌声来表达这种喜悦之情。天鹅对阿波罗来说很神圣，是诗歌之神。
The story of the swan's last song found a place in the works of other writers, including the early English writers Chaucer and Shakespeare.
在其他作家的作品中也能找到关于天鹅之歌的故事，比如早期的英国作家乔叟和莎士比亚。
And, the expression swan song has long been a part of the English language. At first, swan song meant the last work of a poet, musician or writer. Now, it means the final effort of any person. Someone's swan song usually is also considered that person's finest work.
天鹅之歌长期以来一直是英语语言的一部分。刚开始，天鹅之歌意味着一个诗人、音乐家和作家的最后一部作品。现在,它意味着每个人所做的最后的努力。某人的“天鹅之歌”通常指的是他最好的作品。
A political expression with a similar meaning is the last hurrah. The expression may be used to describe a politician's last campaign, his final attempt to win the cheers and votes of the people. The last hurrah also can mean the last acts of a politician, before his term in office ends.
最后的欢呼（the last hurrah）是与天鹅之歌意思相似的政治上的表达。这个短语可以用来描述一个政治家赢得支持和选票的最后努力。此短语还意味着政治家在任期结束前所做的一些事情。
Writer Edwin O'Connor made the expression popular in nineteen fifty-six. He wrote a book about the final years in the political life of a long-time mayor of
作家Edwin O'Connor写了一本关于马萨诸塞州波士顿市长最后几年的政治生涯的书。他给此书取名为The Last Hurrah。因此这个短语在1956年就流行传开。
Some language experts say the expression came from a name given to noisy supporters of Andrew Jackson...
一些语言专家称这个短语来自于人们对Andrew Jackson的支持。他是美国的第七任总统。在Andy Jackson竞选美国总统的时候，人们给他的呼声最大。因此Andy Jackson的支持者们成了众所周知的hurrah boys。
Jackson 的支持者们在总统选举中扮演了重要的角色。Jackson总统想提名副总统Martin VanBuren接替他的位置。
A newspaper of the time reported that VanBuren was elected president, in its words: "...by the hurrah boys, and those who knew just enough to shout hurrah for
当时一家报纸报道说,VanBuren被选为总统。报纸上说:“”因此，杰克逊总统在与候选人竞选中听到了人们对他的最后支持,而这个候选人接替了他的总统位置。
(MUSIC)
This VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES was written by Marilyn Christiano. Maurice Joyce was the narrator. I'm Shirley Griffith.
这是美国之音特别英语词汇典故节目。由Marilyn Christiano撰写，Maurice Joyce解说，我是Shirley Griffith。
重点讲解：
1、gift [ ɡift ] n. 礼物；赠品；天赋 vt. 向…赠送；赋予
例句：It is a small gift for my mom.
是为妈妈准备的一份小小礼物。
2、holy [ ['həuli] ] adj. 圣洁的，神圣的；至善的 n. 神圣的东西
例句：Everything in life is holy.
生命中一切都是神圣的。
3、campaign [ kæm'pein ] vi. 作战；参加活动；参加竞选 n. 战役；运动；活动
例句：They want to help the campaign, but we just want to set a policy.
他们想要帮助我们的竞选，但我们只是想制订一个政策。
4、play a part in 起作用；参与；扮演角色
例句：A weak dollar also played a part in the loss.
美元的贬值也对此次亏损有一定影响。
5、candidate [ 'kændideit, -dət ] n. 候选人，候补者；应试者
例句：He is a probable candidate for minister.
他是一个有希望的部长候选人。