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 Holo 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.