The song is about the difficulties crossing a mountain pass called "Arirang".

There are many versions of Arirang. The first verse (given below) is most often sung.

아리랑 - North Korean Children's Songs - North Korea - Mama Lisa's World: Children's Songs and Rhymes from Around the World  - Intro Image

Notes

(1) Arariyo has no meaning. It's in the song for the sound and to help it flow.
(2) Ten li is approximately 4 kilometers or 2 1/2 miles.

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Pronunciation:

Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo...
Arirang gogaero neom-eoganda.
Nareul beorigo gasineun nim-eun
Simnido motgaseo balbyeongnanda.

Comments

This song is on the Intangible Cultural Heritage List by Unesco.

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Thanks and Acknowledgements

Translation from Wikipedia.

Photo: Wikimedia