CD04-01: Hongcheon, Song for Plowing Dry Field
(Hongcheon, Gangwon Province/ Kang, Seon-won(55yrs)/ 1994)
◆ Sung while urging on two oxen for ploughing the dry field. This song was recorded while actually ploughing the field in early Spring around the time when the ploughing period was just starting. In the song, the difficulty of ploughing because of stones and the frozen field, is effectively described. Singing while driving the ox is a farming tradition in the regions around Gangwon Province.
(Content of Song)
“Let us go slowly
Ox on the right, push inwards and pull carefully
Ox on the left, push inwards and pull carefully
…
Don't stumble on hidden stones and pull carefully
Don't go down, but go up
“The ground hasn't melted completely here”
Eohoo! (a signal to turn back)
…
Stop, stop”