CD04-16: Namjeju, Song for Mowing Grass
(Namjeju, Jeju Island/ Kang, Jae-heup(68yrs), Kang, Jae-hun(66yrs), Kang, Seong-tae(60yrs)/ 1989)
◆ Sung while cutting the grass that has grown to its full height in late Summer. Several workers stand holding a long sickle, and move forward together cutting the grass. The grass is mostly eulalia. During winter, the cut grass are used as feed for cows while in spring they are made into composts for the dry field. To make grass grow well, sometimes fertilizers were used. At times women would sing while cutting grass with a short sickle.
(Content of Song)
“Swing left and right, let us follow the leader
With the rough northwesterly wind blowing, the grass is drying nicely
Swish, swosh.
The sickle moves smoothly
August must have passed since we can easily hear grass seeds popping out
Having used fertilizers, (the grass is soft) and the sickle cuts well
Oh dear, the day grows hot and the sweat trickle down.”
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