Mong-geum-po-taryung

Mong-geum-po-taryung

Mong-geum-po-taryung, a folk song originating from the northwestern region of Hwanghae and Pyeongan provinces illustrates the beauty of this region and the common story of fisherman returning home to their lovers.  There is a mixture of urgency and joy in the tune as well as hints of melancholy, which must accompany lives at sea parted from their kin.  The rhythm of this song, a jaunty compound time feel with subtle syncopation every so often, reminds one of the periodic, and yet somewhat unpredictable movements of waves.  This rhythmic element, which is illustrated below, is the primary focus for this setting and attempts to capture the sense of longing and anticipation of returning to loved ones at the end of a long journey.