Archive of Korean Traditional Folk Songs

(Bukjeju, Jeju Island/ Go, I-hwa(68yrs)/ 1989)

◆ This song is hummed lone while weaving the brim of a Korean hat with thin bamboo strips. From the older times, the women from Donggui-ri(동귀리) of Jeju Island frequently made Korean hats with horsehair or bamboo strips to earn extra money. This kind of song does not have a definite tune.

(Content of Song)
“I try to feed and raise my children with the hats I make
I weave until my eyes ache, but it's hard to make ends meet
I must make hats to pay for my husband's drinks and for my family to live
O dear
When will I be rich enough, that I can live without making this hat?”

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