(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Now, the VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES.
Today we explain a very old saying that has had a big influence on rock-and-roll music. That saying is a rolling stone gathers no moss.It has several meanings. One meaning is that a person who never settles down in one place will not be successful. Another is that someone who is always moving, with no roots in one place, avoids responsibilities.
This proverb was said to be first used in the fifteen hundreds. But in the nineteen sixties, the expression rolling stone became famous in the world of rock-and-roll music. It became the name of a rock group, a song and a magazine.
Experts say it all started with a song by the American singer and guitarist Muddy Waters. He was one of the country’s top blues musicians until his death in nineteen eighty-three. His music influenced singers like Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan. In nineteen-fifty, Muddy Waters recorded a song called "Rollin’ Stone."
(MUSIC)
A British rock group is said to have taken its name from Muddy Waters’ song. The Rolling Stones performed for the first time in nineteen sixty-two. The group’s members called themselves "the world’s greatest rock and roll band."
In nineteen sixty-five, Bob Dylan released his song "Like a Rolling Stone." It is one of his best known and most influential works.
It is an angry song about a woman who was once rich and successful. But now she is on her own, "with no direction home, like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone."
(MUSIC)
In nineteen sixty-seven, a young man named Jann Wenner started a magazine he named "Rolling Stone." The magazine reported onrock music and the popular culture that the music created. By nineteen seventy-one, "Rolling Stone" had become the leading rock music and counterculture publication. It is still popular today.
(MUSIC)
This VOA Special English program was written by Shelley Gollust. I’m Faith Lapidus. You can find more WORDS AND THEIR STORIES at our website,www.kekenet.com.
参考译文
这里是美国之音慢速英语“词汇典故”。
今天，我们讲解一个很古老的说法，它对摇滚音乐有着深远的影响。这个说法是a rolling stone gathers no moss，意思是滚动的石头不会生苔藓，它包含几种意思。其中一个是说，不安定下来的人是不会成功的。另一个意思是说那些居无定所、无根无家逃避责任的人。
据说这个谚语最早用在16世纪。但在20世纪60年代，rolling stone这个短语在摇滚音乐节变得知名起来，成了一个摇滚乐团、一首歌和一本杂志的名字。
专家说，这都起于美国歌手兼吉他手马迪·沃特斯的一首歌。在沃特斯1963年去世之前，他一直是美国最有名的布鲁斯歌手。他的音乐影响了诸如艾尔维斯·普莱斯利和鲍勃·迪伦等歌手。1950年，沃特斯录了一首名为Rollin' Stone的歌。
据说，英国一个摇滚乐队就是依据马迪·沃特斯的这首歌取名的。滚石乐队第一次演出是在1962年，该乐队队员称自己是“全世界最优秀的摇滚乐队。”
1965年，鲍勃·迪伦发布歌曲Like a Rolling Stone，这是他最知名最有影响力的作品之一。
这是关于一位一度富有成功的女人的冤曲。但她现在孤身一人，“没有回家的方向，像个无名之辈，像块滚石。”
1967年，一位名叫简·温纳的年轻人创办了一本名为Rolling Stone的杂志。杂志报道摇滚音乐和音乐创造的流行文化。到1971年为止，这本杂志就成了摇滚音乐和反传统文化的重要出版物。直到今天仍受欢迎。
词汇学习
1.avoid vt.避免, 防止, 撤消
例句：If you want to avoid being charged for late baggage, checking in half an hour earlier is good otherwise.
不能及时领取行李时，若不想交纳保管费，最好提前半个小时确认一下。
If you want to lose weight just try to avoid food high in animal fat.
如果你想减肥，就不要吃富含动物脂肪的食物。
2.proverb n.谚语, 格言, 箴言
例句：In this connection I remember a proverb.
在这一方面我记得有一句谚语。
His ignorance is a proverb.
他的无知已成笑柄。
3.release vt.释放, 解除, 放松, 豁免, 免除, 发布, 放弃, 让与
例句：They will talk to an intermediate before they release the results.
他们在公布结果前要先和中间人谈谈。
n.释放, 发泄, 豁免, 发行, 释放证书
例句：A week after release they will be going cheap in the online store.
上市一周后，网上商店就会降价出售。
内容解析
1.Today we explain a very old saying that has had a big influence on rock-and-roll music.
have influence on对…有影响
例句：Irresistible fashion trends don't seem to have any influence on him, he still keeps his simple style.
势不可挡的时尚风潮对他好像毫无影响，他依然保持着自己朴素的特点。
2.A British rock group is said to have taken its name from Muddy Waters’ song.
可以改写成：It is said that a British rock group has taken its name……，这样的话后面that引导的句子就是真正的主语，而it是形式主语。
3. But now she is on her own, “with no direction home, like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone.”
on her own独自一人
例句：The girl does her homework on her own initiative.
这女孩儿做作业挺自觉。
