i thought there might have been additional lyrics to the folk song alluded to in the zaobao essay, but apparently those two verses quoted in the text were all. i did find the poem the song was adapted from though. it's called 希望 and it's by 胡适. (the 胡适, that is, the philosopher and language reformer.)

it's not only vocational anxiety, self-assessment and the fear of finding oneself wanting, described in the essay, that rings true. it's that the sentiment 朝朝频顾惜,夜夜不相忘 is a portrait of the lover too. a troilus waiting for the return of criseyde.

i do remember my mother singing it although she hasn't for a long time. i can't stop humming it now, so i'll spread the contagion by placing the full song text here, as well as the poem for comparison:

我从山中来,带着兰花草.
种在小园中,希望花开早.
一日看三回,看得花时过.
兰花却依然,苞也无一个.
转眼秋天到,移兰入暖房.
朝朝频顾惜,夜夜不相忘.
期待春花开,能将夙愿偿.
满庭花簇簇,添得许多香.

original poem by 胡适.

我从山中来,带得兰花草,
种在小园中,希望开花好.
一日看三回,望得花时过;
急坏看花人,苞也无一个.
眼见秋天到,移花供在家;
明年春风回,祝汝满盆花!

also try here