One Clever Wife (Adapted from a Korean Folktale) -

"One Clever Wife" - an original song based upon the Korean folktale "The Resourceful Wife." Due to the historical context, this story would have taken place in 1505 or 1506. A version of the tale was published by Im Bang (1640-1724) and later translated into English by James S. Gale (1863-1937). The king mentioned in the song is also mentioned in the story - I read his Wikipedia page before starting the lyrics, to find more details. Fascinating historical figure, terrible human! The lyrics were written April 28th (a little over 2 days ago) and the music was finished a couple hours ago, on April 30th. I wrote this song for a challenge to perform a story that comes from "anywhere but Europe," but during the medieval period. I will perform it at an #SCA #bardic event on Saturday! (I'll pronounce the final syllable of the king's name correctly then. 😜)
I'm playing my Enya Nova U Concert ukulele because it matches my shirt.
General project notes:
I'm sharing 100 #ukulele #practice sessions as 100 posts in 100 days, for the #100DaysUke2024 #challenge. I'm a new player (starting 11 February 2024), but I also play guitar, so skill transfer is a thing. 😜 Also, it's practice, not perfect at all. 🤣 The point is, here's proof I've been practicing!
#acoustic #folk #uke #enyaukulele #enyamusic #concertukulele #originalsong #musician #folktales #koreanfolktale #medieval #joseon
Lyrics:
One Clever Wife
In the Kingdom of Joseon (조선)
When Yeonsangun (연산군) was King
His illness infected the land
He killed all who defied him
And closed centers of learning
Writing the language was banned
In his last year as King
Before he was deposed
Frightened women were brought to the palace
He sent out his thugs
To search far and wide
For beauties to mar with his malice
The people of Joseon lived always in fear
Knowing someday Yeonsan's men might appear
Maiden or married, the King did not care
He required 'entertainers,' the fairest of fair
If any resisted, she paid with her life
None ever escaped, save one clever wife
A young Minister's wife
Was so achingly lovely
That he knew very soon he would lose her
He bade her stay inside
But she chose to live free
And he could not bear to refuse her
Yejin (예진) told her husband
She'd never submit
He could not stand the thought of her killed
When the men finally came
He urged her to just go
And by then her defenses had stilled
Cho:
Yejin entered the court
With those newly-arrived
Standing tall amongst all those who cowered
The King saw her confidence
He was intrigued
So she'd be the first he devoured
He bade her come near him
And as she approached
Her stench was a nasty assault
The King flinched in horror
And sent Yejin home
Likely holding his henchmen at fault
Cho:
When she returned
Yejin's spouse was amazed
As she pulled rotting meat from her clothes
She'd kept a slice
Held tight under each arm
Her brilliance none could oppose
The Minister cried
And laughed all at once
He nearly took her to embrace
She escaped with a laugh
To go take a bath
And also her clothes to replace
©2024 Robin Lea Fritche