— 36 —
NOTES
These words are sung by children as they give each other the hand and turn around in a circle: no particulary defined meaning is attached to them, as they are put together only to keep measure with the steps. 軲轆圓 ku1 lu4 yüan2, as round as a wheel. 甩 shuai3, expresses a movement peculiar to the Chinese, that of letting down with a sudden jerk of the arm, the long sleeve which was tucked up the wrist. 唏𠺕嘩拉 hsi1 liu1 hua1 la1, words with no meaning.
TRANSLATION
Draw, draw ― draw the circle as round as a wheel ― at every house-door is hanging a red thread ― the red thread is thick ― drop the sleeve ― drop it as far as behind the door ― behing the door ― is hanging the swoard ― the swoard is cutting ― and is so long that it touches the sky ― the sky thunders ― the dog bites the thieves ― hsiliuhualà once more!
XXII
大秃子得病
二秃子慌
