Beauty of Our Hometown is a nursery rhyme in the Teochew (Chaoshan) dialect. Through a clear, childlike perspective, it evokes the distinctive charm of Chaoshan as a hometown of overseas Chinese and a deep affection for the hometown, giving the song both cultural depth and emotional warmth. Its language is lively and approachable; the lyrics are at once poetic and vividly rendered in familiar, everyday imagery. Musically, it employs the qingsanliu mode commonly used in Chaozhou music, lending the piece a bright tonal character, and pairs it with a dance-pop arrangement and rhythm: gentle and melodious, traditional and graceful, yet at the same time modern and dynamic.
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.
僑鄉美
Beauty of Our Hometown
作詞：黃銳輝
Lyrics by Huang Ruihui
作曲：鄭伊洋
Music by Zheng Yiyang
演唱：馬沅希
Performed by Ma Yuanxi
【歌詞】
【Lyrics】
一陣春風吹過，
A spring breeze blows along the way,
一群鴨仔唱大戲，
a flock of ducklings quack and play.
踏破江水濺浪花，
They paddle through the river, splashing spray,
朝霞映照美如畫。
as the morning glow paints a scene bright as day.
一曲潮樂聽過，
A Teochew melody drifts to the ear,
一聲鄉音工夫茶，
a hometown accent and Gongfu tea so dear,
淡淡清香如意家，
a gentle fragrance fills our happy home,
難忘相聚過年夜。
and New Year's Eve reunions stay forever dear.
僑鄉美，僑鄉美
Beautiful hometown, beautiful hometown,
一年四季都是祥和的春天，
every season feels like a peaceful spring.
僑鄉美，僑鄉美，
Beautiful hometown, beautiful hometown,
片片的嫩草，
patches of tender grass
綠了俺厝邊。
turns green beside our home.
說唱：英歌鑼鼓鬧猜猜，
Rap: Yingge drums and gongs ring out with festive cheer,
標旗、布馬慶和諧，
banners and cloth horses celebrate harmony here,
把春天的民俗背回家。
carrying springtime folk traditions back home.
小公園亭鬧猜猜，
The Small Park pavilion bustles with festive cheer.
小食潮劇舒心懷，
Local snacks and Teochew opera bring joy to the heart,
把歡樂的笑臉帶回家。
bringing joyful smiles back home.
一陣春風吹過，
A spring breeze blows along the way,
一群鴨仔唱大戲，
a flock of ducklings quack and play.
踏破江水濺浪花，
They paddle through the river, splashing spray,
朝霞映照美如畫。
as the morning glow paints a scene bright as day.
一曲潮樂聽過，
A Teochew melody drifts to the ear,
一聲鄉音工夫茶，
a hometown accent and Gongfu tea so dear,
淡淡清香如意家，
a gentle fragrance fills our happy home,
難忘相聚過年夜。
and New Year's Eve reunions stay forever dear.
僑鄉美，僑鄉美
Beautiful hometown, beautiful hometown,
一年四季都是祥和的春天，
every season feels like a peaceful spring.
僑鄉美，僑鄉美，
Beautiful hometown, beautiful hometown,
片片的嫩草，
patches of tender grass
綠了俺厝邊。
turn green beside our home.
僑鄉美，僑鄉美，
Beautiful hometown, beautiful hometown,
一年四季都是夢想的春天，
every season feels like a springtime full of dreams.
僑鄉美，僑鄉美，
Beautiful hometown, beautiful hometown,
處處開紅花，
red flowers bloom everywhere,
祝福送萬家。啊……
blessings reach every home. Ah...
僑鄉美，僑鄉美，
Beautiful hometown, beautiful hometown,
一年四季都是夢想的春天，
every season feels like a springtime full of dreams.
僑鄉美，僑鄉美，
Beautiful hometown, beautiful hometown,
處處開紅花，
red flowers bloom everywhere,
祝福送萬家。啊……
blessings reach every home. Ah...
Text | Deng Li (intern), Zhang Xuanzhen (intern), Liu Lingzhi
