Santoki
"Santoki" is perhaps the most famous children's song in Korea. Virtually every Korean knows the melody and lyrics of this song. The word "santoki" literally means "mountain bunny".
English Lyrics
First Verse:
Mountain bunny, bunny
Where are you going?
Bouncing, bouncing as you're running.
Where are you going?
Second Verse:
Over the mountain peaks, peaks
I will climb them on my own
Plump, plump chestnuts
I will find and bring
Korean Lyrics
First Verse:
산토끼 토끼야
어디를 가느냐
깡충깡충 뛰면서
어디를 가느냐
Second Verse:
산고개 고개를
나혼자 넘어서
토실토실 알밤을
주워서 올테야
Transliterated
First Verse:
San-toki, toki-ya
Eodireul gahneunyah?
Kkangchoong, kkangchoong dimyeonseo
Eodireul gahneunyah?
Second Verse:
Sangogae gogaereul
Nahonja neomeoseo
toshil-toshil albameul
Juweoseo oltaeyah
In popular culture
The song was popularized in the United States by the Ska Punk band The Chinkees, who performs the song on their 1999 recording Peace Through Music. Elizabeth Mitchell (musician) also has a version of the song on her 2012 children's folk album "Blue Clouds". Elena Moon Park (musician) also released a version of the song on her 2012 album of East Asian children's and folk songs Rabbit Days and Dumplings.
References
- The Chinkees at Allmusic.com