冬至歌 [The Winter Solstice Song] (SSA)

During the Winter Solstice celebration which usually happens late in December every year, some Chinese people make dry glutinous rice balls mixed with bean, sugar and black sesame powder.

Families would sit around the dinner table making the rice balls, at the same time recounting the year’s hardship, and returns. The act of eating the rice balls represents the growth of another year. Also, if the family has children, it is the time where the children hope their parents would realise that they have grown up and thus able to make decisions for themselves (one of which is having a spouse)!

While making the rice balls, the seniors around the house are usually heard singing this song. This activity is made more meaningful and interesting through the togetherness and warmth exhibited by the family.

This arrangement envisions children running around, singing these tunes. The writing is deliberately made simple for young choristers to facilitate memorization, and to represent the idea of a carefree youth.

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