"Come Have Tea When You're Free" is a Teochew nursery rhyme from the Chaoshan region, centered on Chaozhou Gongfu tea. Written in colloquial Teochew dialect, the lyrics depict tea-brewing steps such as scalding the teapot and "Guan Gong Patrols the City," all set to a lively, childlike melody. The nursery rhyme portrays neighbors in Chaozhou gathering for tea and reflects the warm hospitality of local communities. Through children's voices, it passes on the culture of Gongfu tea, helping young listeners experience local folk traditions and the gentle warmth of welcoming guests.
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.
有闲来食茶
Come Have Tea When You're Free
作词：林朝虹
Lyrics by Lin Zhaohong
作曲：曾雯
Music by Zeng Wen
演唱：可爱小孩组合
Performed by Cute Kids Ensemble
【歌词】
[Lyrics]
（独）
(Solo)
山绞炭，薄锅囝，正苏罐，溪水整。
（意：山里绞制的炭，薄薄的小风炉，正宗的江苏宜兴紫砂罐，清清的溪水备上）
Hardwood charcoal, a clay kettle, a genuine Jiangsu teapot, clear stream water.
厝边头尾，老婶老姆来食茶，来食茶哦！
（意：街坊邻里，阿婆阿婶都来喝茶，来喝茶哟！）
All our neighbors, aunties and grannies, come have tea, come have tea!
滚水烫壶（意：沸水烫壶）
Scald the teapot with boiling water;
纳茶入罐（意：茶叶入罐 ）
add the tea leaves to the teapot;
高冲低酾（意：高冲低斟）
pour high, serve low;
滚球洗杯（意：滚烫转杯）
roll and rinse the cups;
刮沫淋盖（意：刮去浮沫淋盖）
skim off the foam and rinse the lid;
关公巡城【意：巡回斟茶（关公巡城）】
Guan Gong patrols the city;
韩信点兵【意：点滴入杯（韩信点兵）】
Han Xin musters the troops.
（唱词）
(Chorus)
潮州工夫茶，工夫出了名，（意：潮州工夫茶，手艺出了名）
Chaozhou Gongfu tea is famed for its finesse;
关公去巡城，韩信来点兵。（意：关公去巡城，韩信来点兵）
Guan Gong patrols the city; Han Xin musters the troops.
有闲来食茶，有闲来食茶，（意：有空来喝茶，有空来喝茶）
When you're free, come have tea; when you're free, come have tea.
食茶有茶配，茶配配茶话，（意：喝茶有茶点，茶点配着闲话）
Tea comes with treats, and treats go with chatter over tea.
暹罗猪槽詖詖詖，（意：潮人的茶话是古今中外、天南地北、无所不谈的神聊）
From Siam to the pig trough, chatter, chatter, chatter!
暹罗猪槽詖詖詖。（意：潮人的茶话是古今中外、天南地北、无所不谈的神聊）
From Siam to the pig trough, chatter, chatter, chatter!
有闲来食茶，有闲来食茶，（意：有空来喝茶，有空来喝茶）
When you're free, come have tea; when you're free, come have tea!
潮州工夫天下茶，潮州工夫天下茶，（意：潮州工夫茶名扬天下，潮州工夫茶名扬天下）
Chaozhou Gongfu tea, the pride of tea worldwide, the pride of tea worldwide!
大家有闲来食茶，大家有闲来食茶，（意：大家有空来喝茶，大家有空来喝茶）
Everyone, come have tea when you're free; everyone, come have tea when you're free.
来食茶！（意：来喝茶！）
Come have tea!
一个火炭炉加支鸡毛扇，（意：一个小炭炉配一把鸡毛扇）
A charcoal stove and a chicken-feather fan,
几块柑枳炭配壶山泉水，（意：几块柑橘炭配上壶山泉水）
a few chunks of hardwood charcoal and a kettle of spring water;
扇仔扇啊扇工夫茶来冲，（意：扇子呼呼扇，工夫茶这就冲）
fan the charcoals again and again, then brew the Gongfu tea;
一泡鸭屎香香到堵唔缀！（意：一泡鸭屎香香得让人招架不住！）
one brew of Yashixiang Oolong Tea fills the air with an irresistible fragrance!
食茶，食茶，撮人来食茶；（意：喝茶，喝茶，叫大家来喝茶）
Have tea, have tea, everyone, come have tea.
好茶，好茶，撮茶好香啊！（意：好茶，好茶，这茶真是香啊！）
Good tea, good tea, so wonderfully fragrant tea!
你请，我请，齐齐人来请；（意：你请，我请，大家都来请）
You say "Please," I say "Please," and everyone joins in.
单丛、蜜兰、鸭屎香，品种有好加！（意：单丛、蜜兰、鸭屎香，品种多得很呐！）
Dancong, Honey Orchid, Yashixiang: fine teas galore!
（唱词）
(Chorus)
潮州工夫茶，工夫出了名，（意：潮州工夫茶，手艺出了名）
Chaozhou Gongfu tea is famed for its finesse;
关公去巡城，韩信来点兵。（意：关公去巡城，韩信来点兵）
Guan Gong patrols the city; Han Xin musters the troops.
有闲来食茶，有闲来食茶，（意：有空来喝茶，有空来喝茶）
When you're free, come have tea; when you're free, come have tea.
食茶有茶配，茶配配茶话，（意：喝茶有茶点，茶点配着闲话）
Tea comes with treats, and treats go with chatter over tea.
暹罗猪槽詖詖詖，（意：潮人的茶话是古今中外、天南地北、无所不谈的神聊）
From Siam to the pig trough, chatter, chatter, chatter!
暹罗猪槽詖詖詖，（意：潮人的茶话是古今中外、天南地北、无所不谈的神聊）
From Siam to the pig trough, chatter, chatter, chatter!
有闲来食茶，有闲来食茶，（意：有空来喝茶，有空来喝茶）
When you're free, come have tea; when you're free, come have tea!
潮州工夫天下茶，潮州工夫天下茶，（意：潮州工夫茶名扬天下，潮州工夫茶名扬天下）
Chaozhou Gongfu tea, the pride of tea worldwide, the pride of tea worldwide!
大家有闲来食茶，大家有闲来食茶，（意：大家有空来喝茶，大家有空来喝茶）
Everyone, come have tea when you're free; everyone, come have tea when you're free.
来食茶！来食茶！（意：来喝茶！来喝茶！）
Come have tea! Come have tea!
爷：
Grandpa:
潮州工夫茶，老人传后生。（意：潮州工夫茶，老人传给年轻人）
The elder generations pass Chaozhou Gongfu tea down to the younger generations.
传子又传孙，茶香飘天下。（意：传给儿子又传给孙子，茶香飘遍天下）
Passed from sons to grandsons, its fragrance drifts across the world.
坐磨家己人，拢呾潮州话（意：坐着的都是自家人，全都说着潮州话）。
Our own folks sit together and chat in Teochew dialect.
同品一壶茶，四海同一家。（意：同品一壶茶，四海皆为一家）
We share one pot of tea; across the seas, we're one family.
孙：
Grandchild:
潮州出名是工夫茶，（意：潮州最有名的是工夫茶）
Chaozhou is renowned for its Gongfu tea;
好工夫来冲好茶。（意：好手艺冲出好茶）
good technique is what brews good tea.
阿姨叔叔来喃内，（意：叔叔阿姨快来入座）
Aunties and uncles, come visit us!
我冲一杯工夫茶。（意：我冲一杯工夫茶）
I'll brew you a cup of Gongfu tea.
我敬一杯工夫茶。（意：我敬您一杯工夫茶）
I'll offer you a cup of Gongfu tea.
Text | Zheng Yiling (intern), Liu Lingzhi
