Yukjabaegi
Unknown (Jeolla Oral Tradition)
Region
Jeolla
Genre
Southern Folk Song
Usage
Lyrical Song
Yukjabaegi is the signature song of Jeolla Province and is regarded as the essence of southern Korean singing. Set to the slow jinyangjo rhythm, it pours out the fleetingness of life and a deep, lingering grief in a rich, earthy voice. Its melodic language forms the backbone of southern folk songs, including Jindo Arirang. This record is archive material collected to organize and preserve the representative lyrics and the transmission context of Yukjabaegi.
Commentary & Notes
Yukjabaegi (六字—): The name is usually explained by the song's structure: the six beats of jinyangjo, divided into three groups of two.
Nolgeona, he: Each verse closes with the distinctive ending "…geona, he." That final "he" rings out like a deep sigh and carries the mood of southern singing.
Originally sung solo without accompaniment, it became a solo piece with janggu drum once professional singers began trading verses with one another.
Cultural Background
The Yukjabaegi melodic style is the foundation of southern folk song, and together with Pyeongan Province's Susimga it is counted as one of the two great pillars of Korean folk song. In performance, it is customarily sung as part of a suite: Boryeom and Hwachosageori, then Yukjabaegi, Jajin Yukjabaegi, and Heungtaryeong.
Lyrics
사람이 살면 몇 백 년이나 사드란 말이냐
죽음에 들어 노소가 있느냐
살아서 생전시절에
각기 맘대로 놀거나 헤
How many hundred years do you think a person lives?
Does death care if we are young or old?
So while we still have life,
let each of us live as we please — he!
