At the Spring Site 샘물터에서

Music: Yun Sung-jin (윤승진) 1952

Text: Choe Ro-sa (최로사)

One of the more “light hearted, pop” sounding songs in the Moranbong Band repertoire. It has a very traditional feel to it due to the “pretty girl helps clueless guy with household chores” trope and the “pretty girl prays for war victory and hopes the soldier returns home safe” trope. Although the song relies heavily on gender roles, it’s still an enjoyable song and the reality is that many women that were alive during that time could probably relate to the feelings it evokes. It was written during the war after all and possibly provided some encouragement to the people at the time.

Performances

Moranbong Band

07.27.2013. You can tell the singers have fun with this song by their bright smiles and the way they dance. I’m sure the crowd enjoys this upbeat, cheery song as well. My favorite part is probably the soft soprano backing vocals provided by Pak Mi-kyong in the middle of the song. She has some of the clearest, most striking soprano vocalizations I’ve ever heard. There’s another similar Moranbong Band performance of this song where even the violin and cello players join in the dancing for a brief moment before returning back to their instruments. Unfortunately, it isn’t very high quality, but you can see that version here.

English Lyrics

Lyrics by Moranbong Band HD

At the spring site to fetch water
I was just putting the jar up to leave
There a friendly soldier was washing his clothes
He turned around to hide himself
Secretly checking him out
His washing skills were not very good
Blushingly embarrassed I said
I will help and wash it up for you
I will help and wash it up for you
I will help and wash it up for you

At the spring site to fetch water
I was just putting the jar up to leave
A group of comrades I now know well
They gathered around me
Oh, beautiful girl comrade
Please sing us song!
Blushingly embarrassed I sang
The Nodul Riverside song of spring
The Nodul Riverside song of spring
The Nodul Riverside song of spring

At the spring site to fetch water
I was just putting the jar up to leave
At the spring site to fetch water
I was just putting the jar up to leave
The group of comrades I had become fond of
They were leaving to go to the front
From the spring site in a hurry
I picked azaleas for them
Begging them over and over again
On the day of victory, please come back!
On the day of victory, please come back!
On the day of victory, please come back!
On the day of victory, please come back!
On the day of victory, please come back!

Korean Lyrics

Lyrics by Moranbong Band HD

샘물터에 물을 길러
동이 이고 나갔더니
빨래하던 군인동무
슬금슬금 돌아앉네
살그머니 바라보니
그 솜씨가 서투르지
부끄러워도 말했지요
제가 빨아 드릴가요
제가 빨아 드릴가요
제가 빨아 드릴가요

샘물터에 물을 길러
동이 이고 나갔더니
낯이 익은 동무들이
나를 둘러 싸겠지요
아름다운 처녀동무
노래 하나 불러주오
부끄러워도 불렀지요
노들강변 봄노래를
노들강변 봄노래를
노들강변 봄노래를

샘물터에 물을 길러
동이 이고 나갔더니
샘물터에 물을 길러
동이 이고 나갔더니
정들은 동무들이
전선으로 떠난다죠
허둥지둥 샘물터의
진달래꽃 꺾어주며
거듭하여 부탁했지요
승리의 날 또 오세요
승리의 날 또 오세요
승리의 날 또 오세요
승리의 날 또 오세요
승리의 날 또 오세요
승리의 날 또 오세요