Page:Japanese Peasant Songs.djvu/67

At the Ferry of Yamasaki

This song is sometimes included as part of Mukō Yokocho No (No. 61). It is similar to it in being a “long” poem about one subject. The form is irregular.

62

Yamasaki no Watashiba de Chira to misomeshi Gojū ryō saki ni Tobo tobo Yoichibe ga Ato kara tsukekuru Sadakuru Totsan machine Totsan machine Iya sonna kotja ikene Mada hokani mo Takusan aredo Amari nagoyaja[1] Shokun mo taikutsu Watashi mo taikutsu Kokoro attari de S’tettoke hottoke

At Yamasaki Ferry I found it, Fifty ryo,[2] and sauntered[3] slowly, slowly. After Yoichibe[4] Came following Sadakuru.[5] Hold on old man, Hold on old man, No, no, that won’t do! There are yet more Stories to tell— Since it’s too long You must all be tired, I also am tired— So, here I’ll stop.

Genjōmero

One of several verses sung for the monkey dance, a specialty of Shōya hamlet in Fukada Mura. The first two lines are sung very slowly and the last one very rapidly. The dancers dressed in red costumes wear monkey face masks. The form of the song is irregular.

63

Genjōmero-me wa Sh’to yo ya hosoi ne Genjō san na Doko kara kai

Genjomero[6] Smaller than a man, Mr. Genjo Whence came he?

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1. Probably from the term Owari Nagoya, i.e., Nagoya of Owari province, noted for its castle.
2. A ryō is an old coin comparable to a modern yen.
3. The idea is that, having suddenly found so much cash, the man picked it up quickly and then walked along slowly as if nothing had happened in order to arouse no suspicion.
4. Yoichibe is the hero of the story.
5. Sadakuro is a type name for thieves in Japan. The name is pronounced Sadakuru here in accordance with the Kuma dialect, where ‘u’ often replaces ‘o.’
6. Genjōmero is a type name for monkeys.