Five mao

Lyrics: Adapted from Xiao He’ letter             Music and Vocals: Sun Heng

I went from factory to factory, hoping for something better deep down in my heart

Working my hands to the bone from dusk till dawn just for one days pay

That crazy machine keeps rumbling along while my empty stomach keeps grumbling a song

The boss delays our pay, day after day, as I make it through the hungry, lonely nights

Ah, my sinking heart! Ah, the road ahead is slow and endless!

Ah, my sinking heart! Ah, the road ahead is slow and endless!

I still have five mao to my name, and I try call my friend hoping to borrow some cash

But why his phones always busy. Im really not sure how I should spend this last bit of change

Its just enough money to buy one bao zi. I thought about spending it again and again, but it’s so difficult for me to make decision.

I thought of my family far away, felt warm immediately, called my mom, and told her I was still doing well.

Right now I miss dad, miss mom, miss home. Ah, the road ahead is slow and endless

Right now I miss dad, miss mom, miss home.  Ah, the road ahead is slow and endless

I still wish I could save this cash to realize these distant hopes of mine someday.

Really my thoughts arent so big; just wish I never had to see anothers cold eyes again

Really my thoughts arent so big; just want to get my hard-earned pay and feed myself

Really my hopes arent so big; just wish I never have to see anothers cold eyes again

Really my hopes arent so big; just want to get my dignity back somehow