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摇，摇，摇

无名氏

摇，摇，摇，

摇到外婆桥。

外婆真要好，

买个鲤鱼烧。

头勿熟，

尾巴焦；

刮起尾巴再烧烧，

外甥吃了快点摇。

I Row, Row and Row

Anonymous

I row, row and row,①

To my dear Granny’s I go.

On seeing me Granny’s in high glee,

She buys a carp and cooks it for me.

The head is found underdone,

While the tail is overdone.

So she turns it o’er and cooks it once more,②

Thus I may eat it and take to the oar.

Comments and Annotations 

This children’s rhyme, originally entitled “Missing Granny” (望外婆), is taken from the 55th page of One Hundred Yue Songs. It is given the present name in light of its popularity.

Children’s rhymes mainly aims at nurturing children’s sense of rhythm and rhyme, developing children’s intelligence and cultivating children’s ability of speech. As is typical of children’s rhymes, the present one is simple in both structure and content. However, it reflects the tradition in light of which grandmothers adore their grandchildren.

① This is a case of repetition, a rhetorical device intended for emphasis or vividness.

② Thus I may row away after eating the fish.

拍拍心

无名氏

拍拍心，

囡囡勿吃惊。

拍拍胸，

囡囡勿伤风。

拍拍背，

囡囡脱脱晦。

A Ditty of Patting

Anonymous

Patting ’bout Babe’s heart,

Nothing shall thee start;

Patting on Babe’s chest,

No cold shall thee infest;①

Patting on Babe’s back,②

ill luck shall ne’er thee rack!

Comments and Annotations

The present song is taken from the 45th page of One Hundred Yue Songs.

When children get startled or catch cold, the adults usually give them a few pats. Experience shows that the practice works in keeping children out of harm's way. The present ditty serves as an incantation on such occasions.

①    No cold shall infest you.

②    Ill luck shall never trouble you!

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