Photo courtesy of Baba Alan Goh
TANG CHEK Tambah minyak pasang pelita Baju lok chuan takda kochek Di tengah jalan kereta panchek Gula di jemor di dalam dulang WINTER SOLSTICE (ENGLISH TRANSLATION) Refill the oil and light the lamp The Baba’s baju lok chuan with no pockets The car broke down in the middle of the road Air dry the sugar in the tray
A panton by Baba GT Lye
Elakkan angin, tutopkan pintu
Hari Tang Chek budaya kita
December dua dua sua la tentu
Bila di pakay nampak berseri
Makan kueh ee pagi Tang Chek
Panjang umor, murah jereki
Paksa kita berjalan kaki
Malam Jolly hari Tang Chek
Baba sama nyonya hiborkan hati
Kueh bakol naikkan pagi
Hari Tang Chek menjelang pulang
Taon depan di sambot lagi
A panton by Baba GT Lye
Avoid the wind, close the door
Winter solstice is our cultural tradition
Celebrated on 22nd December
Is a splendour to behold when worn
Breakfast with winter solstice dumplings
For long life and prosperity
We were forced to go on foot
Malam Jolly on winter solstice day
Babas and Nyonyas making merry
Steam the kueh bakol in the morning
Winter solstice will soon pass by
Welcome it back again next year
A panton by Baba Tan Kuning
Hari Tang Chek bulan sebelas
Tepong pulot tak pakay beras
Makan sekampong selamat
Anak chuchu bahagia sehat
Mintak jereki sebesar lautan
Idup mewah idup kesehatan
Panjang umor empat sekawan
Jumpa skali lagi taon depan
WINTER SOLSTICE (ENGLISH TRANSLATION)
A panton by Baba Tan Kuning
Tang Chek falls on the 11th lunar month
(Kueh Ee is) made of glutinous rice powder not rice flour
Together let us eat in peace and harmony
Here’s to the health and prosperity of our descendants!
Hope for providence as vast as the ocean
To live comfortably and in good health
For longevity and togetherness with friends
May we meet again in the coming year!