30 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 'J'J 



Two renditions of this song were recorded, the second being about 

 a week after the first. Transcription is from the first rendition. In 

 obtaining the translation of this rendition the dictaphone record was 

 played for a few seconds and that portion of the words translated 

 with a notation of the numbers on the dictaphone space bar. Thus 

 the third line of the poem occurs between numbers 3 and 7, and 

 the fourth line between numbers 8 and 10 on the space bar. Cor- 

 responding, numbers were placed on the transcription, making it 

 possible to connect the words with the music to which they were 

 sung. The portion of the transcription herewith presented consists 

 of the introduction and three phrases, each with a dictaphone space 

 number. A comparison of the translation and transcription at these 

 points is of interest. After these phrases the melody contains many 

 repetitions of single tones and is lacking in musical interest. The 

 remainder of the poem is a combination of the twO' translations, 

 some details of the race being given with the second rendition 

 which were covered by a general statement when the song was first 

 recorded. 



(2) Two boats are going to race. There are many men in each. 



Those who steer the boats wear wide hats. When the wind blows it flaps 



the hats. 

 One boat moves very fast and sw^ays with the weaves ; 

 It stops a few moments at a town but no one gets out. 

 (20) The wind rises. A heavy sea begins. 



Now the boats have all begun to take down their sails. 



The wind blows harder and harder, 



The waves dash over the boat and the men cannot stand up. 



The sailors go to the tops of the masts and jump from one mast to 



another like monkeys, 

 The sailors' wives are frightened as they watch from the shore. 

 (30) The wind grows stronger and stronger. 



The captain says he had thought they could reach the next town but 



now he is frightened. 

 {2)'2-^ He tells the sailors to take down the sails quick, quick. 



The owner says, " This is not your boat. The sails are not to come 



down." 

 The owner of the boat says, " I do not think the wind blows hard. I 



want more wind." 

 The boat leaps from the top of one wave to the top of the next like a 



flying fish, 

 It passes another boat, leaving it like a log on the water. 

 The captain calls to the captain of that boat, saying, 

 " I thought we were going fast but when I look at your boat I see we are 



not going fast at all." 

 There are many flags at the top of the mast. 

 They make a soft noise like bright birds. 



