(Version in Hokkien)
Guek Kng Kng, Siew Chye Long
Khia Peh Beh, Koay Lam Tong
Lam Tong Buey Tit Koay
Liak Neow Lai Chiap Hoay
Chiap Hoay Chiap Beh Tio
Gia Tek Koe Long Lar Heoh
Lar Heoh Kok Kok Puay
Gia Tek Ko Long Teh Uay
Teh Uay Chiang Chiang Koon
Nor Leh Gin Nar Thow Oar Soon
Oar Kooi Ki
Oar Nor Ki
Chi Ki Sang Hor Siew Chye
Siew Chye Kiar Beh Long Long Lai
Eam Kong Kay Liak Lai Thai
Siew Chye Chiak Liow Lak Eh Hai
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(Version in English)
The moon is bright
A male scholar
Rode on a white horse, wanting to cross the Southern pond
But the Southern pond is not accessible
So he caught a cat then collect the goods
But the goods somehow did not arrive
So he took a bamboo stick to poke at the eagle
And the eagle flew away
So he held onto a bamboo stick to poke at the teapot
And the tea boiled
Two children stole some radishes
How much did they take?
Two radishes they stole
One to be given as a gift to the scholar
The scholar fidgeted on the horse
To catch and slaughter a castrated male chicken
But after eating the cooked chicken, the scholar suffered a lock jaw!
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About this rhyme:~
This Hokkien rhyme centers around a “siew chye” or “scholar” in English. As usual, this ditty rhymes in that lingo but besides that, there is a certain absurdity that makes this ditty puzzling in the end. However, many verses found in this rhyme/ditty are similar to “Chay It Chap Goh” and “Geng Geng Knua“.
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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