Ee koeng
This is an Isan lullaby. [เพลง กล่อม เลูก ลาว อีสาน]
Isan is the northeastern region of Thailand. A Lao speaking population is the majority there. They're referred to academically as Lao Isan or as Thai Lao.
The Lao text is the phonetic version of the song. Each line is repeated twice.
Ee koeng
Dear Moon
Lullaby
Lullaby
(Lao)
(English)
(Refrain)
Oe hoe oe hoe oe hoe oe
Ee koeng eoy, kho khao, kho kaeng.
Kho waen thong daeng khaen kho nong laa.
Kho ch/saang, kho maa pet kai ngua khway.
Kho ka-buay thong kham tak nam.
Kho khao yam maa pon kon kham.
Kho mo lam hai nong khoi boeng.
Ee koeng eoy, tu khoi fao kho.
(Refrain)
Oe hoe oe hoe oe hoe oe hoe oey.
(Chorus)
Oe hoe oe hoe oe hoe oe
Oh, dear Moon, may I have some rice and soup
And brass rings to string around my baby sister's neck.
May I have elephants, horses, ducks, chickens, cows, and buffaloes.
May I also have a gold water scooper.
May I have roasted ground sticky rice for my precious sister.
May I have Lam, the Isan folk opera, for my sister to enjoy.
Oh, Dear Moon, I keep begging you.
(Chorus)
Oe hoe oe hoe oe hoe oey.
Comments
If anyone can provide the song lyrics in the original Lao text, please email me. Thanks! -Mama Lisa
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Jim Henry for allowing us to use this song from the Lao Language and Culture Resources Center at Northern Illinois University.
ຂອບໃຈ (khàwp ja̖i)
