(1st Version in Hokkien)
Um Po Cheh
Khow Lay Lay
Khow Snia Tai
Khow Beh Keh
Keh Toe Loke
Keh Ow Piak Kow
Ow Piak Kow Chow Huay Hoon
Keh Hor Cheong Koon
Cheong Koon Bay Leik Tow
Keh Hor O
O Beh Thye
Keh Hor Siew Chye
Siew Chye Beh Tiong Ki
Keh Hor Niow Chu
Niow Chu Beh Chng Lai Khang
Keh Hor Tio Hu Ang
Tio Hu Ang Beh Tio Hu
Keh Hor Chan Chu
Charn Chu Beh Thai Hair
Keh Hor Chooi Thang
Chooi Thang Beh Kun Chooi
Keh Hor Sau Chiu
Sau Chiu Beh Sau Tay
Keh Hor Beh Chap Huay
Beh Chap Huay Beh Lelong
Keh Hor Sai Kong
Sai Kong Beh Liam Keng
Keh Hor Leng
Leng Beh Choot
Keh Hor Nui
Nui Beh Tok
Keh Hor Gulu Lok Su
Gulu Lok Su Beh Sio Tu
Keh Hor Bey Bar Chee Hu
.
(1st Version in English)
Cicada is grieving
Why are you grieving?
Grieving to be married?
Married to who?
Married to the back drain?
But the drain smells burnt
Why not the general then?
General buys some mung beans
Why not the oyster then?
But the oyster needs to be cooked
Why not the scholar then?
But the scholar needs to sit for his exams
Why not the rat then?
But the rats needs to burrow
Why not the fisherman then?
But the fisherman needs to go out to sea
Why not the bull frogs then?
But the bull frog needs to prepare the prawns
Why not the beer barrel then?
But the beer barrel is for brewing
Why not the broom then?
But the broom needs to sweep
Why not the grocer then?
But the grocery shop is now having a sale
Why not the medium then?
But the medium needs to perform his prayers
Why not the breast then?
But the breast needs to be suckled
Why not the eggs then?
But the eggs need to be sliced
Why not the pig cage then?
But the pig cage strangles the pigs
Why not your brother-in-law who is a butcher then!
.
(2nd Version in Hokkien)
Um Po Cheh
Khow Ai Ai
Khow Snia Tai
Khow Beh Keh
Keh Hor Chui Chui
Keh Chiew Buay
Chiew Buay Beh Eo Hong
Keh Hor Sai Kong
Sai Kong Buek Liam Keng
Keh Hor Leng
Leng Buek Tnui
Keh Hor Nui
Nui Buek Tok
Keh Hor Chek
Chek Buek Thak
Keh Hor Bak
Bak Buek Buar
Keh Hor Chua
Chua Buek Liak
Keh Hor Khar Khiak
Khar Khiak Buek Cheng
Keh Hor Cheng
Cheng Boh Ean..
.
(2ndVersion in English)
Cicada is grieving
Why are you grieving?
Grieving to be married?
Married to who?
How about the inflorescence then?
But the inflorescence needs to sway to the wind
Why not the medium then?
But the medium needs to perform his prayers
Why not the milk then?
But the milk needs to be weened
Why not the egg then?
But the eggs need to be sliced
Why not the book then?
But the book needs to study
Why not the ink then?
But the inkstone needs to be grounded
Why not the snake then?
But the snake needs to be caught
Why not the clogs then?
But the clogs needs to be worn
Why not the gun then?
But there is no smoke emitting from the gun..
.
(3rd Version in Hokkien)
Um Po Cheh
Khow Ai Ai
Khow Snia Tai
Buek Chiak Chai
Chai Boh Heok
Khoon Phua Chiok
Chiok Oo Kharng
Chiak Bi Pharng
Bi Pharng Kau
Chiak Thor Tau
Thor Tau Teng
Koay Hor Teng
Hor Teng Kuan
Chiak Sng Uan
Sng Uan Layng
Phuay Geng Geng
.
(3rd Version in English)
Cicada sadly grieving
Why do you grieve?
Craving for vegetables
But the vegetables has no leaves
Sleeping on a soiled mat
But the mat has a hole
Eat the rice crackers then
But the rice cracker is thick
Eat the groundnuts then
But the groundnuts are hard
So I crossed over the threshold
But the threshold is high
So I sucked on ice balls
But the ice balls are cold
So I eat it with longans..
.
About this rhyme:~
“Um Po Cheh” literally mean “Cicada” is one rhyme that explains the triviality of finding the right marriage partner.
The author/owner has compiled for record, a collection of early Hokkien sayings, proverbs, rhymes and ditties to capture the essence and spirit of his hoi polloi, a community originating from the southern province of Fujian, China where individuals climbed aboard bum boats, crossing the South China Sea to settle in faraway lands to escape the brewing civil unrest and a way out from hardship carrying along with them in their journey, nothing except their trademark ponytails and their beliefs, very much rooted in Confucianism. These ditties retell their story and their lifestyle way back then so that the younger generation can gain an insight and foothold to their origin..
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