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Link to: TAIWAN RELATED ARTICLES
HERITAGE
Janet Lin (Pen-name of J.Y. Albert Chu)
Many second generation Taiwanese Americans know very little
about the history and culture of Taiwan. To understand the Taiwanese
language is not essential in learning more about Taiwan. The
Taiwanese culture is very unique in this world. Even though Chinese
culture is a major contributor, it is still only a part of the Taiwanese
culture. the aboriginal culture, Japanese culture and some Western
cultures, notably that of the Netherlands and the United States, also
have a heavy influence on the Taiwanese culture. The cultures of
different aborigine group in Taiwan are related to that of the
Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and other Asian countries. The
purpose of this HERITAGE section is to enrich the understanding of
our heritage.
Content
1. SINGING TAIWANESE FOLK SONGS IN ENGLISH
2. "NEW" TAIWANESE FOLK SONG
3. MISS TAIWANESE AMERICAN PAGEANT
4. SPRING WIND KNOCKS ON DOORS
5. THE LOVE SONGS IN DUET
6. THE "TRUE" STORY THAT WAS NOT TRUE
7. A TOWN MEETING SPEECH
8. FIRST WAR BETWEEN UNITED STATES & TAIWAN
9. FIRST TAIWANESE TO GRADUATE FRDOM AN AMERICAN MEDICAL SCHOOL
10.GU-LE-KOA
I. SINGING TAIWANESE FOLK SONGS IN ENGLISH
(First published in "Second Impact", Pacific Journal, September 12, 1987)
We, the second generation Taiwanese, have always wondered about the meaning
of the folk songs that many of our parents enjoyed. During the Taiwanese Night
Program at the Taiwanese-American Conference-East Coast held in the summer of 1987 at
the University of Massachusetts, one gentleman sang a couple of Taiwanese folk songs
in English.
We were all delighted to hear the folk song in English. We obtained the music
notes and lyrics in both the Taiwanese and English versions. After reading the
following verses, you probably will agree that our parents and grandparents are really
not that dull after all! They are romantic folks. I was told that these types of folk
songs were literally called "Mountain Songs" or "Hakka folk songs". Hakka is a minority
language spoken by 13-15% of the people in Taiwan. It is somewhat different from Holo
Taiwanese, the kind spoken by the majority (70-75%) of Taiwanese people. These two kinds
of languages as well as Mandarin Chinese are, however, generally written with Chinese
characters.
The following song is supposed to be sung by a boy working in a liquor store.
In Taiwanese, "flower" on many occasions represents the girl whom the boy loves. "Bamboo
Green" or "Taiwan Li" are brand names of liquor.
Liquor Selling
If you like to drink, try "Bamboo Green"
When you pick the flower, pick the best
Drink the good liquor, get drunk slowly
Put your best flower deep in your heart
If you like to drink, try "Taiwan Li"
You can enjoy it for a long time
My lovely sweetheart, you passionate girl,
I will love you forever and forever.
II. "NEW" TAIWANESE FOLK SONG
(First published in "Second Impact", Pacific Journal, September 26, 1987)
If you were reading Taiwanese history, you probably would cry out, "What a
country of misery!" Taiwanese people had endured the most difficult situations in
the history of mankind. The colonial governments of China, the Netherlands, Spain,
Manchuria, and Japan each occupied and ruled part of Taiwan for at least a couple of
decades. War occurred between these countries before the changing regimen. In
addition, large scale rebellions happened every few years against the tyrannous
governments. Much tragedy occurred during the wars and the rebellious movements.
Many traditional folk songs are sad and mournful because they reflect the societies
of past years.
Dr. James Chen, a physician/musician in St. Louis, composed many "new" Taiwanese
folk songs. These folk songs use the familiar melody but express a new significance.
They are sung in Hok-lou Taiwanese, a language spoken by 70-75% of the people in Taiwan,
but was prohibited by the government to be used officially. In contrast to the sad and
mournful tunes, the new songs are full of vitality, affection, confidence and happiness.
There was a Taiwanese-American Symposium held in St. Louis on May 30, 1987. We,
the second generation of Taiwanese-Americans, were invited to participate in the Taiwanese
culture festival which was held that evening. A choir sang two of the "new" Taiwanese
folk songs. Although they were sung in Taiwanese, the lyrics sounded beautiful after
being translated into English. We would like to share these two songs with you.
Step by Step
by James Z. Chen
Don't be afraid of the wind and rain.
Don't be afraid of the head and cold.
Don't be afraid of hurdle and suffering.
Get up soon after you fall.
Be patient even if it hurts.
Be confident for the future.
Step by step, we can help each other
without complaints and jealousy.
Let's march to the bright future.
Spring Fever
by James Z. Chen
Spring wind blows the whole mountain
into blossom.
Spring sun shines all over the place.
Beautiful flowers attract the humming
bees, and birds
sing in green pastures and forests.
Ducks swim in pairs, and butterflies
fly together.
Love blooms in the spring time.
As long as we love each other,
nothing else matters.
The above lyrics were translated into English from Taiwanese folk songs. However,
the lyrics did not fit the music notes very well. Unlike the last song, "Liquor
Selling", these songs cannot be sung in English.
III. MISS TAIWANESE AMERICAN PAGEANT
(First published in "Second Impact", Pacific Journal, October 3, 1987)
The first West Coast Taiwanese American Conference was held this past summer
(July, 1987) at California Polytechnic State University in San Louis Obispo. At the
conference, a skit about the Miss Taiwanese American Pageant was performed. The skit
was presented very well; many of my friends and relatives enjoyed the show very much.
My 10 year old cousin told me that seeing the skit was the best part of the whole 3 1/2
day long conference. The San Francisco Youth group expressed their creativity and
talent by presenting a very entertaining show. The generation gap as well as the gaps
between the Taiwan Youth Group and the Taiwanese-American Youth Group were well
demonstrated. For the fun of it, the "contestants" were asked questions by a host as
if they were in a real competitive pageant.
Well, in St. Louis, we actually had a "real" Miss Taiwanese American Pageant on
May 30th, 1987. There was a St. Louis Taiwanese-American Symposium held on that date
and a Taiwanese Cultural Festival was presented that evening. The second generation
Taiwanese-Americans were all invited to participate in the program. At the end of the
night, five female students from high school or college participated in the pageant.
We were asked to select a representative from our Taiwanese American Community to join
in the Veiled Prophet (VP) Fair Parade during the 4th of July celebration. The VP Fair
in St. Louis is the largest 4th of July party held in the United States, and is attended
by millions of people every year. It is a great honor for the girl selected for the
parade to be seated in the "International Float" which parades through the streets of
downtown St. Louis at the beginning of the VP Fair.
In choosing a representative from our community, all contestants were first asked
to give a brief speech on "Why I am Proud of My Taiwanese Heritage". Then they were asked
several questions from a panel of judges including one from the youth group. Since the
contestant would be representing our community, it was felt that she should have a good
knowledge about Taiwan and the relationship between Taiwan and the United States. The
contestants were very serious in pursuing the title. Some even went to the library the
night before to do research on the subject.
The questions asked of the contestants on the next page are for those of you who
would like to test your knowledge of your heritage. Since you are a Taiwanese-American,
you may be asked similar questions on many occasions. If you do not know the answer to
these questions, you can either go to the library to find them or ask your parents.
(Let's quiz them to see how much they know about their homeland.) Please send your answers
back to us at P.O. Box 22, Chesterfield, Missouri 63006.
Miss Taiwanese American Pageant Questionnaire
1) The size of Taiwan is about % of that of California.
2) The population of Taiwan is roughly about (same as), ( times) or ( % of)
that of California.
3) How many foreign countries controlled at least all or part of Taiwan for more
than a couple decades? (Please name the countries.)
4) Taiwan is also known as Formosa? What is the meaning of Formosa?
5) When was the first contact made between the United States and Taiwan which was
recorded in history? (Name the event and year.)
6) Do you know who "KOXINGA" (or known as Coxin, Coxiny) is?
7) Do you know when the first time that Taiwan (or other name) was included in the
world map of the western countries? (Name the approximate year.)
8) Do you know the rank of Taiwan compared to the other countries as the trade
partner with the United States in 1986?
9) Do you know the rank of students from Taiwan compared to other foreign students
who are now in the United States?
10) When was the first military conflict between Taiwan and the United States? (Name
the year and event.)
IV. SPRING WIND KNOCKS ON DOORS
(First published in "Second Impact", Pacific Journal, January, 1988)
If you could ask anyone in Taiwan or here among the Taiwanese-American community
what the most famous song of Taiwan is, the number one answer would probably be
Bang-Chun-Feng (Spring Wind Knocks on Doors). The song was written more than 55 years
ago by Mr. Ru-Sein Teng and the lyrics by Mr. Lin-chiu Lee. The song, of course, was
sung in Hok-lou Taiwanese, the number one spoken language by 70-75% of the Taiwan
population. Because the song was so popular, there were lyrics written in Japanese,
Mandarin and Hakka Taiwanese versions. I was told that the song was once popular not
only in Taiwan but also in Japan, because when the song was composed, Taiwan was occupied
by Japan. You probably heard this song at various Taiwanese-American gatherings through
the years. As to my knowledge, there have been no English lyrics translated or written.
In Taiwanese or Chinese, the word "spring" on many occasions refers to the love,
admiration, desire or remembrance of the opposite sex especially among teenage girls or
boys. Spring wind probably implies the sudden awareness and admiration the girl has for
the boy just like the snow of winter is suddenly melted by the spring wind. This song is
supposed to be sung by a teenage girl on a lonesome night. In the old days, the society
was very conservative. Girls were not allowed to mingle with boys of the same age and
were not allowed to date. The marriage was arranged by the parents. Many couples only
met "officially" once or twice before being married. At the first meeting, they met in
the presence of both parents and many relatives. The second meeting was to announce their
engagement. There was no courtship and the young couple probably never spoke to each other
until their wedding day. (This tradition is not that ancient. You should ask your parents
and grandparents how they got married.) It is nice to know a person before you marry them,
however, two people can grow to love each other even after marriage. Divorce among them
is almost non-existent.
The following is a translation of the lyrics and is not perfect. In order to suit
the music notes and the American culture, the song cannot be translated word for word.
However, the idea should get across as to how lonely the teenage girl is and how much
desire and love she has for the boy.
"Spring Wind Knocks on Doors"
Sit alone under the lamp,
cold wind blows on me.
I am eighteen still single,
I saw a boy today.
He is really very handsome,
I don't know his name.
I was too timid to ask him,
my heart went crazy.
I would like to marry him,
my heart loves him so.
How long will I have to wait,
I am in my bloom.
I hear somebody coming,
I open the doors to check.
Only moonlight shines on me,
spring wind knocks on doors.
V. LOVE SONGS IN DUET
(First published in the "Second Impact", Pacific Journal, February 8, 1988)
In our first issue of "Heritage", we mentioned that a gentleman sang the
Taiwanese folk songs in English during the East-Coast Taiwanese American Conference.
He also translated the lyrics into English before he sang another folk song in
Taiwanese. He explained that the song was supposed to be sung by a boy and a girl
in a duet. The boy first initiated a song specifically for the girl, and the girl
then responded with her own version. This kind of an exchange can last for an
indefinite amount of time. I could not catch all the lyrics he translate that night.
However, it sounded very romantic to me. Recently, we obtained the English translation
of that Taiwanese folk song. We would like to share it with you.
The gentleman told me that this kind of duet is very popular in certain areas
of Taiwan. They were literally called "mountain songs". Teenage boys and girls liked
to sing them while working in the mountains, forests or fields. Of course, they also
sang them while they were resting for relaxation and for entertainment. The lyrics are
generally very spontaneous with the boy initiating the duet song and the girl responding.
Unfortunately, the translation of the song did not fit the music notes.
He also told me that the translation is not perfect. The difficulty in translation is
partly due to the difference in cultural background. Of course, there was no valentine
candy in Taiwan during the old days. The Taiwanese lyrics used the words implying "love
candy", a word probably very close to Valentine's Day candy. The peach flowers also have
a special meaning in Taiwanese. As we mentioned in previous issues of "Heritage", the
word "spring" on many occasions refers to love, admiration, desire or remembrance of the
opposite sex. When spring comes, peach trees burst into blossom. The "peach flowers"
have a very similar meaning to that of "spring" in love songs.
Peach Tree Burst into Blossom
(BOY) The peach trees burst into blossom and the mum flowers fade away.
I am thinking about your three treasures, my sweetheart.
First, I would like to have a beautiful picture.
Second, I would like to have some valentine candy.
And, my sweetheart, the third one is the recipe to save my life.
(GIRL) Oh, my lover, why are you so silly?
How do I have these treasures.
If you want to have a beautiful picture, ask an artist.
If you want to have some valentine candy, go to a candy store.
And my love, only a drug store has the recipe to save your life.
(BOY) The peach trees burst into blossom and the mum flowers fade away.
You know you have those three treasures, my sweetheart.
Your smiling face is prettier than a beautiful picture.
Your red lips are sweeter than the valentine candy.
And my sweetheart, our love is the recipe to save my life.
(GIRL) Oh my love, how do you know so much.
How did you find out about my three treasures.
I was born with these treasures.
If you really want them so much, I will lend them to you.
And my love, however, don't let people know that we are in love.
VI. The "True" Story That Was Not True
(First published in the "Second Generation" section of Taiwan Culture, V
ol. 3, No. 3, June, 1988.)
The other day, I went to the library in order to find some books about the
history and culture of Taiwan. I found a book entitled "Tales from a Taiwan Kitchen"
by Cora Cheney. Mrs. Cheney had a long stay in Taiwan. She visited different
communities and a lot of people during that period. One chapter about "Wu-Feng"
caught my eye, because I had seen his name in another book. I read the chapter and
was very moved about Wu-Feng's noble sacrifice. The real title of the chapter is
"Wu-Feng: A True Story". I told my father about the story. To my real surprise,
my father told me that the so called true story was actually a fabricated one.
According to Cheney's book, Wu-Feng was an official of Mount Ali District. He tried
very hard to stop head-hunting customs of aborigenes in his district. However, one
year he could not persuade the aborigenes not to go head-hunting. Finally, he was able
to make a deal with them that the aborigenes go head-hunting only for a specific target
with a special red coat. He then put on a red coat and was killed by the aborigenes.
When the aborigenes realized that Wu-Feng was their victim, they made a vow never to go
head-hunting again. The aborigenes built a temple to honor him.
My father showed me a book and a couple of recent newspaper clippings from Taiwan. Based
on some investigations by some scholars, the story was actually fabricated by ruling
governments.
Wu-Feng was killed by aborigenes not because of a noble sacrifice, but over some dispute
between the aborigines and himself. Why did the government want to fabricate this story?
The Japanese government occupied Taiwan between 1895 to 1945. They were very interested
in the resources of minerals and timbers in the mountain areas where the aborigenes lived.
The aborigenes resented the government of Japan's intrusion very much and fought vigorously
with Japanese government officials. The Japanese government officials fabricated the
story about Wu-Feng. They build a magnificent temple to honor him and wrote the story in
school textbooks in Taiwan. They designed the story in order to decrease the resistant
movements of the aborigenes. When the Chinese government ruled Taiwan, after 1945, the
story got even more elaborate. The fabricated story really insulted the aborigene
communities. My father showed newspaper clippings to me stating that the education minister
in Taiwan made a final committment to withdraw the story of Wu-Feng from school textbooks
earlier this year after strong protest and demonstration by the people, especially the
aborigene communities.
After this episode, I did learn a good lesson. I should not believe everything I read.
I don't believe that this is the fault of Mrs. Cheney. My father told me that he never
doubted the story either since his childhood. The recent historians' investigations were
prohibited to be published in Taiwan by both the Japanese and Chinese governments that
ruled Taiwan. My father said he only read the stories published in the United States.
I also realized what a great country the United States is. The freedom and democracy will
create a much better system for the people. I hope my cousins and other relatives will
enjoy such a great system in the near future.
VII. A Town Meeting Speech
(First published in "Second Impact", Pacific Journal, November 28, 1988)
Recently, I attended a town meeting and had the opportunity to hear a Taiwanese-
American speak. The speech was short, but effective. I did not know the gentleman, but
I do remember what was said though his English was not perfect. I would like to convey
in my own words this man's brief presentation.
"More than 20 years ago I came from Taiwan, a country which is relatively poor
and underdeveloped at that time, to the United States to further study. I was impressed
with the science and technology of my new country as well as the prosperity, but what
impressed me most was the freedom and democracy that is enjoyed by all who live in the
United States. After living here for some time, I decided to become a United States
citizen. Like many of the American-Jews concerned with Israel, I too am concerned about
Taiwan.
Everytime I return to Taiwan to visit, I become angry. Chiang Kai-Shek's Government
was driven out of China's mainland and had occupied Taiwan 40 years ago. Ridiculously,
they still claim that they represent China. The Chiang Kai-Shek Government uses secret
police and soldiers to suppress human rights. The government purposely neglects the high-
cost of antipollution devices and the welfare of workers in order to keep production costs
down. I am very angry because the island is badly polluted. The government has imposed a
high tax on American imports. The hardworking Taiwanese people do not benefit since the
large portion of surplus money is taken by some government officials. I have learned that
more than 70 billion surplus dollars, accumulated over the years, has been deposited in
individual accounts in the United States or elsewhere.
The legal status of Taiwan is not yet settled. After the second world war, Japan
has just relinquished its right to Taiwan in a treaty of the United Nations. The future of
Taiwan should be decided by the Taiwanese people and not by secret negotiators. As an
American, I have no right to say what the future of Taiwan should be. However, in the
traditional American spirit, I am asking every fellow American to advocate the right of
the Taiwanese to decide their own fate. Please do not allow Communist China to occupy
Taiwan by making secret deals with Chiang Kai-Shek's regime, and please support the self-
determination principle for the future of Taiwan. It is my firm belief that a democratic
and free Taiwanese government would be in the best interest to the United States, not only
for national defense of the western pacific but also for trade purposes. Both the United
States and Taiwan can continue to prosper if there is a free and democratic government in
Taiwan."
The response from the audience was tremendous. I was also touched. One of the
members in the audience commented that most Americans take their freedom and democracy for
granted. Whereas others who did not experience this way of life while growing up, value
and appreciate it more. As a second generation Taiwanese-American, I do not have the same
emotions as my parents toward certain Taiwan issues. However, the comments this gentleman
made are convincing.
VIII. First War Between United States & Taiwan
(First published in the "Second Generation" section of Taiwan Culture, Vol. 4, No. 1,
February, 1989)
When I was a young boy at bedtime, my sister would often ask my father to tell
stories of his childhood. I remember my father's story about the American bombing of
Taiwan when he was a boy. Taiwan was not really at war with the United States. At that
time, Taiwan was occupied by Japan. Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941 and fought with
the United States until the war ended in 1946. After the war, Japan relinquished its right
to Taiwan.
Probably, because of my father's stories about his experience in Taiwan, I became
interested in the history and culture of Taiwan. I went to the library from time to time
to search for information regarding Taiwan, and its relationship with other countries,
especially the United States. I was surprised to learn that Taiwan has a rich history of
relationships with other countries.
I was more astonished to find that the bombing my father experienced was not the
first by the United States. There was actually a war between the United States and Taiwan
more than 120 years ago. Nobody really won or lost that war. The dispute was finally
settled diplomatically by an American envoy and an aboriginal chief.
Since the middle part of the 19th century, more and more western merchant ships
sailed to or near Taiwan. There was a new open market for European and American goods.
On March 9, 1867, an American ship called S.S. Rover became lost during a storm near Taiwan
and later sank in the waters near Southern Taiwan. Captain Hunt and other sailors from the
ship boarded a small boat and landed at a place called Kalut. They were attacked by the
aboriginal residents and all were killed except for one sailor. He escaped and reached a
city called Takau (which is now known as Kaoshing and is the largest city in Southern Taiwan).
The British consul in Taiwan was told about the incident. He notified the American
Ambassador in Peking (now called Beijing), the Chinese capital. Taiwan was then loosely
ruled by the Chinese Government. The protest of the United States government was ignored.
The Chinese officials commented that Taiwan was just a barbarian place and did not belong
to China. The United States Government then sent Consul LeGendre from Amoy (now called
Xiamen), Fuchien to Kalut to investigate. His party was also attacked by the aborigines
and had to withdraw.
After realizing that the Chinese government would not intervene, the United States
government dispatched two war ships, the S.S. Hartford and S.S. Wyoming under the direction
of Admiral Bell to Taiwan in June, 1867. On June 19, after heavy gun fire from the two
war ships, 181 U.S. marines landed on Kalut. With only primitive weapons the aboriginal
warriors fought fiercely with the marines. The battle ground was difficult for the United
States soldiers because of the mountains, valleys, caves and forests. The marines suffered
significant casualties by the attacks from hiding aboriginal warriors. After the lieutenant
captain was shot to death by primitive arrows, the marines finally withdrew.
Consul LeGendre believed the dispute would only be solved peacefully by himself,
without Chinese official help. He hired translators and traveled to the aboriginal
community to negotiate. The aboriginal Chief, Taketok, told him that the attack made on
the sailors was for revenge. Some westerners had come to their village and used modern arms
and almost wiped out their tribes some years ago. Consul LeGendre bought gifts for the
community in exchange for mutual understanding. The Chief agreed to return the remains of
Captain Hunt and the others, and also promised not to attack the sailors from wrecked ships
if they honored certain signals.
I told the history to my parents and to my surprise they knew nothing about this.
They told me that the history of Taiwan was not taught in any level of schooling during
their time in Taiwan. The government in Taiwan would not allow the school to teach Taiwan
history. I told my parents that it was a shame that they were not allowed to learn about
their own past. It is odd that I can teach Taiwanese history to my parents who came to
the United States from Taiwan after graduating from college there. My parents also told
me that they have learned more Taiwanese history in the United States than in Taiwan. A
free and democratic society is certainly better than an authoritarian regimen.
IX. First Taiwanese to Graduate from a United States
Medical School:How his Classmates Remember Him
(First published in the North-American Taiwanese Medical Association Newsletter, Vol. 5, No. 2,
April, 1989 and in Independent Post Weekly, June 8, 1990)
When I first read the "Miss Taiwanese American Pageant Questionnaire" (#III above), I
tried very hard to come up with some answers. I decided to go to the library and to pursue
individuals who were wiser about the subject in question. During the course of my research,
I learned a great deal about the history of Taiwan and its relationship with North America.
My search for the first Taiwanese to graduate from a United States medical school is most
interesting.
I learned that there was a physician in Tainan by the name of Seifu Ryu who graduated
from a United States medical school before World War II. A friend of mine was planning to
travel to Taiwan and I asked him if he could find out any information about this gentleman.
I later learned that Dr. Ryu graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1926
and that his name was pronounced in Japanese because Taiwan was occupied by Japan during
that time. In Mandarin, his name is pronounced Chin-feng Liu and in Hok-lou Taiwanese it
is Chin-feng Lau. Other than living in Taiwan, he spent many years in Japan, China, and the
United States. He also traveled a lot. He died several years ago while visiting in Seattle,
Washington from Taiwan.
In the meantime, I was trying to find a classmate who might have remembered him from
medical school. I wrote a letter to the Alumni Association of Indiana University. They were
kind enough to provide me with a list of alumnus from the class of 1926 who were still living.
I wrote to these physicians and asked if they could tell me something about him. The excerpt
of the responses I received are as follows:
Dr. James M. Burchman, Greenwood, Indiana wrote: "I remember Seifu during medical
school as he was a well-liked student. Years later, we were notified that his daughter,
Lara, was coming to Indiana University to study as a post-graduate student. My wife
contacted her by letter and told her we would meet her in Chicago on her way to Bloomington,
Indiana. She arrived in Chicago late and missed her flight to Bloomington. So, instead she
came back to Gary, Indiana with us and visited a few days before going on to Indiana
University. From time to time, she would visit us in our home and we enjoyed her time with
us very much."
Dr. James Himler, Indianapolis, Indiana wrote: "I always found Seifu to be quite
affable and he seemed to be an earnest student and well-liked by faculty and students."
Dr. Himler was also kind enough to send us Dr. Ryu's class picture clipped from his year-book.
Dr. W.R. Day, Seymour, Indiana wrote: "Seifu Ryu was a fine looking young man.
I know he was well-respected among his classmates."
Dr. Seifu Ryu has a son and daughter who are currently living in the United States. I was
informed that they will be writing an article about him. I can hardly wait to read about
Dr. Ryu's interesting and exciting life story. (The article is published later in NATMA
Newsletter, Vol. 5, No. 3, July, 1989. If you are interested in a copy, please write to
"P.O. Box 22, Chesterfield, MO 63006.)
X. Gu-le-Koa
(First published in Independent Post Weekly, June 8, 1990)
A few weeks ago, I went to a concert given by a school orchestra. To my surprise,
I found a Taiwanese folk song listed in the program. I was really ashamed when my friends
asked me what Gu-le-Koa meant. I was unable to tell them. When they played the melody it
sounded so familiar to me, but I did not know what the song was about. Actually, I did
not know why the melody was so familiar to me at that time, as I had never played or sang
that Taiwanese folk song.
I was able to get a copy of the folk song from the music teacher at school. The
title of the music was "Folk Songs of th Orient". These songs were arranged for a string
orchestra by Marsha Chusmir Shapiro and published by Concert Works Unlimited. Besides the
Taiwanese folk song, Gu-Le-Koa, there were other listings such as Kwei-cho (Chinese),
Sakura (Japanese) and Arirang (Korean). I did not know why the music teacher wanted to use
the oriental folk songs in the school concert. I thought one reason might be that many of
the students who participated in the string orchestra program were Asian-Americans. When
I read the names of the orchestra participants, I recognized the names to be of Taiwanese,
Chinese, Korean, and Japanese origin. I still remember that my parents made my brother and
I take violin and piano lessons. Almost all of my Taiwanese-American friends had also taken
lessons and joined the string orchestra.
I took the program home to my parents to ask them what Gu-le-Koa meant. My father
asked if I would play the music notes on my violin and that he would sing. Then I knew why
the melody was so familiar. I had heard the song played at home and at other Taiwanese-
American gatherings so many times before. My father told me that "Gu" meant ox or buffalo,
"le" meant plow, and "Koa" meant song. They would plow their fields for planting rice and
vegetables.
My father explained to me that our ancestors in Southern Taiwan were probably the
first to sing that song while they worked in the fields. However, the song later developed
into a musical. Professional musicians would dance to the music to entertain their audience.
Some would act the part of the ox, others would act as a plow to make the musical more
interesting. My father later showed me some paper clippings and books about Taiwanese folk
songs. He explained to me what the lyrics meant and emphasized how hard the farmers worked
and how difficult it was for them. He also told me that the song also encouraged people to
cooperate in the work so that they could enjoy a wonderful harvest.
If you are interested, ask your parents to translate the article "Gu-le-Koa" which
was published in the March 30, 1990 issue of Independent Post Weekly. The article explains
how the song was developed, and it has the original music notes and lyrics written in
Taiwanese.
FOOT NOTE