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 "Grandpa Teaches Me to Make a Lion Drum" aims to preserve the folk tradition of the Lingnan lion dance. It tells the heartwarming story of a grandfather making a lion drum with his grandchild. The song, which features simple spoken Cantonese and a lively, childlike melody, captures the warmth of the bond between grandfather and grandchild, vividly demonstrating the local tradition of passing down the Lingnan craftsmanship from one generation to the next.
阿爺教我做獅鼓
Grandpa Teaches Me to Make a Lion Drum
作詞：黃志文、羅順飄
Lyrics: Huang Zhiwen, Luo Shunpiao
作曲：羅順飄、劉春美
Music: Luo Shunpiao, Liu Chunmei
演唱：羅以藍、劉承駿、葉思妍、梁可芮、葉嘉儀
Vocalists: Luo Yilan, Liu Chengjun, Ye Siyan, Liang Kerui, Ye Jiayi
【歌詞】
刨榕木，箍鼓腰，
Plane the banyan wood; bind the drum shell.
阿爺做鼓乜都曉。
Grandpa knows every trick of the drum-making craft.
崩緊牛皮釘星斗，
Stretch the cowhide taut; set the tacks like stars.
鼓槌擂起響雲霄。
Beat the drum and let its sound pierce the clouds.
劈青竹，紮獅頭，
Split the green bamboo; frame the lion's head.
新紮獅子對月搖。
The newly made lion sways beneath the moon.
黃紅黑綠系劉關張趙，
Yellow, red, black and green stand for Liu, Guan, Zhang and Zhao of the Three Kingdoms.
細路睇到騎騎笑，騎騎笑。
The kids see it and giggle, giggle with delight.
阿爺話收我做學徒，
Grandpa says he'll take me on as his apprentice,
仲誇我學嘢系塊好料。
praising me for having a real knack for picking up the craft.
佢話百年獅鼓系瑰寶，
He says the century-old lion drums are time-honored treasures.
薪火相傳出新潮。
Passed down for generations, they take on a new life.
刨榕木，箍鼓腰。
Plane the banyan wood; bind the drum shell.
劈青竹，紮獅頭。
Split the green bamboo; frame the lion's head.
刨榕木，（刨榕木）
Plane the banyan wood. (Plane the banyan wood.)
箍鼓腰。（箍鼓腰）
Bind the drum shell. (Bind the drum shell.)
劈青竹，（劈青竹）
Split the green bamboo. (Split the green bamboo.)
紮獅頭。（紮獅頭）
Frame the lion's head. (Frame the lion's head.)
紮獅頭。
Frame the lion's head.
Text | Zhang Xuanzhen (intern), Zhou Jiajie (intern), Liu Lingzhi
Video editor | Gao Jianling (intern)
