Tanko Bushi

Tanko Bushi (Coal Miner's Song) is probably Japan's most famous folk melody. People dance to it at the summer festivals. The dance movements include a digging gesture (like digging for coal), as well as a pushing gesture (like pushing a coal cart). Many Westerners probably don't know it, but Japan had working coal mines until about four years ago. Also, women worked in those mines alongside men.

When I was young, there was a community hall where people gathered on weekends to see movies from Japan, or listen to live performances of Japanese music. There was usually a band and a couple of singers. I remember they usually sang Tanko Bushi at the end of those concerts.

I thought about this song because summer is approaching. Here are some of the lyrics.

Tsuki ga deta deta tsuki ga deta a yoi yoi
Uchi no oyama no ueni deta
Anmari entotsu ga takai node
Sazoya otsukisama kemutakaro
Sano yoi yoi

English:

Here comes the moon, ah
Over our mountain.
Is the chimney too high?
I wonder if smoke stings the moon,
Ah, Ah

Music clip:
http://www.smithsonianglobalsound.org/trackdetail.aspx?itemid=12604