(Version in Hokkien)
Ah Phong
Phong Tio Jilotong
Jilotong Tiok Huay Sio
Ah Phong Pien Char Sio
Char Sio Hor Lang Chiak
Ah Phong Pien Khar Khiak
Khar Khiak Hor Lang Cheng
Ah Phong Pien Cheng
Cheng Hor Lang Phien
Ah Phong Pien Batman
Batman Toh
Ah Phong Chay Motor
Motor Peng
Ah Phong Chay Tok Teng
Tok Teng Si Ki Khar
Ah Phong Tua Lam Phar.
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(Version in English)
Ah Phong (person’s name)
Bloating all the way to Jelutong (Jelutong is a district in Penang)
After Jelutong was razed in a fire
Ah Phong became barbequed meat
Barbequed meat to be given for others to eat
Ah Phong became clogs
While the clogs are given away for others to wear
Ah Phong became a gun
The gun was then hijacked
and Ah Phong became Batman (a western cartoon superhero)
After Batman collapses
Ah Phong sat on a motorcycle
After the motorbike overturned
Ah Phong sat on a table
The table altogether has four legs
Ah Phong possesses enlarged testicles.
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About this rhyme:~
Obviously, this rhyme is as old as “batman” himself but centers around a character named “Ah Phong”. The word “Ah” is colloquial and it is a form of address that comes before every name like how one uses the word “Mister”. The word “Phong” means “swell” or “bloated” . As usual, there is an uncanny absurdity that makes this rhyme puzzling.
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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fiveloaf 