Editor's Note: Nursery rhymes are a treasured part of Lingnan's cultural heritage, capturing the region's language, traditions and childhood memories through simple yet vivid lyrics. This series presents a selection of ten original Lingnan nursery rhyme works, showcasing the creativity of contemporary lyricists while preserving the unique charm of Lingnan culture. Join us as we explore these stories, melodies and traditions that continue to inspire young generations.
The Cantonese nursery rhyme "Bring a Little Stool to Watch the Dragon Boats" draws inspiration from Diejiao's dragon boat drifting, a distinctive intangible cultural heritage in Foshan. The song captures the lively scene of locals carrying stools to watch dragon boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival, with the sound of traditional gongs and drums recreating the excitement of race day. Seen through a child's eyes, it paints a vivid picture of the Dragon Boat Festival in Lingnan. Its cheerful, energetic melody celebrates the dragon boat spirit of forging ahead and passing the tradition down from generation to generation, while carrying both aesthetic and moral educational significance.
担凳仔睇龙船
Bring a Little Stool to Watch the Dragon Boats
作词：潘湘惠
Lyrics: Pan Xianghui
作曲：潘湘惠
Music: Pan Xianghui
演唱：佛山市少儿合唱团
Performed by: Foshan Children's Choir
【歌词】
担凳仔，担凳仔
Bring a little stool, bring a little stool!
凳仔……担凳仔！
A little stool ... bring a little stool!
担凳仔睇龙船，龙鼓一敲响震天
Bring a little stool to watch the dragon boats; dragon drums boom and shake the sky!
担凳仔睇龙船，细佬细妹我哋担凳仔
Bring a little stool to watch the dragon boats; boys and girls, let's bring our little stools!
担凳仔睇龙船，龙鼓一敲响震天
Bring a little stool to watch the dragon boats; dragon drums boom and shake the sky!
担凳仔睇龙船，细佬细妹我哋担凳仔
Bring a little stool to watch the dragon boats; boys and girls, let's bring our little stools!
担凳仔咯，睇龙船咯……
Bring our little stools; come watch the dragon boats...
龙鼓一敲，响震天咯
Dragon drums boom and shake the sky!
担凳仔咯，睇龙船咯……
Bring our little stools; come watch the dragon boats...
细佬细妹……我哋担凳仔
Boys and girls... let's bring our little stools!
嘿！嘿！嘿！哟嘿……
Hey! Hey! Hey! Yo-hey...
嘿哟嘿……嘿哟嘿……嘿哟嘿……
Hey-yo-hey... Hey-yo-hey... Hey-yo-hey...
龙船漂移真精彩
Dragon boat drifting, what a sight!
龙头龙尾摆不停
Bow and stern swing side to side.
花灯碌碌转好醒目
Bright lanterns spin round and round.
齐心合力永争先
Together as one, we strive to lead.
龙船漂移真精彩
Dragon boat drifting, what a sight!
龙头龙尾摆不停
Bow and stern swing side to side.
花灯碌碌转好醒目
Bright lanterns spin round and round.
龙船精神代代传
The dragon boat spirit lives on, from generation to generation.
花灯碌碌转好醒目
Bright lanterns spin round and round.
龙船精神代代传
The dragon boat spirit lives on, from generation to generation.
Text: Zhang Xuanzhen (intern), Deng Li (intern), Liu Lingzhi
