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This song is said to be at least 5,000 years old. The meaning of “Ganggangsullae” is disputed. It is sung and danced for the holiday of Chuseok (추석). It is a song and dance performed by women in a circle under a full moon. The leader improvises lyrics (and the tune) of the call to tell stories of sorrow and joy. The other women respond with “Ganggangsullae.” The dance starts slowly and gains speed over time. (source) (source) (source)
Lyrics - Revised Romanization
(Korean folk song)
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
Ttwieobosettwieonabose
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
Euksinoksinttwieonabose
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
Nopeunmadanggipeonajigo
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
Gipeunmadangnopanajige
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
Dalijotagodalmajigugyeong
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
Parwolchuseogidaneomeoganda
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
English Translation
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
Let’s jump, let’s jump
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
Ugh, let’s excel!
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
The high yard becomes deeper
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
Let the deep yard rise higher
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
I like the moon, so I went to see the moon
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
August Chuseok is over.
Ganggangsullae, ganggangsullae
Korean - 강강술래
강강술래, 강강술래
뛰어보세뛰어나보세
강강술래, 강강술래
윽신옥신뛰어나보세
강강술래, 강강술래
높은마당깊어나지고
강강술래, 강강술래
깊은마당높아나지게
강강술래, 강강술래
달이좋다고달맞이구경
강강술래, 강강술래
팔월추석이다넘어간다
강강술래, 강강술래
(source)
See also
- Culture: Korean
- Subject: Chuseok
- Form: call & response
- Meter: 12/8
- Scale: tetratonic
- Tones: l,t,dm
- Source: Smithsonian
YouTube
- PDF of song with chords
- MIDI file
- Listen to the melody

