The Rice Pounding Song

• U Khan Saw (Translator of Rice Pounding Song)
• Stanza 1:

  Set down the mortars, line them up neatly,Girls of Shwe Naung, take up the pestle-stones;Then sing we and chant it, merrily in time,As gracefully we pound away.
• Stanza 2:

  What means that noise, that bustle we hear?Oh, a lady of Shwe Naung is giving alms,With the music of drums and gongs.
• Stanza 3:

  There is red-gold radiance over there; Perhaps the sun has risen. No, it’s the dyed robes of the monks

  On their rounds with their begging bowls. Come, fill them with alms-food!
• Stanza 4:

  This Chicrkransia which I planted,Isn’t it lovely? Tiny buds on slender stems. But if you pluck them before they flower,My plant will wither away, you know.
• Stanza 5:

  Hey there, maiden at the loom,

  What cloth are you weaving?

  Oh, need you ask, in these thin times?

  It’s a cotton coverlet for me.
• Stanza 6:

  I live in a house of teak, Bright at night with torches. It’s true, my parents are rich; Yet if you dare not come yourself, You can at least send a letter.
• Stanza 7:

  The poor man is moping in the house. Feeling out of sorts and shaky Because he’s short of opium. Very well, wry, Sell my fine gold earplugs if you must, But make sure you get a good price for them!
• Stanza 8: My handsome brother, a word with you Before you leave for lower country; If you find a wife there do not leave her, Bring her to us, we’ve use for her. She can fetch us water, gather firewood, And pound our rice —oh, lots of uses!
• Stanza 9:

  I’ve bought a pair of sandals, Such pretty red sandals. But I shan’t wear them yet. When you and I are truly wedded, Then, I shall wear them.