The reapers, represented cutting corn in the tomb of Paheri (XVIIIth
Dynasty), are supposed to be chanting a little song, the words of which
are engraved above their figures. Such songs are very common among the
fellahin of the present day, who thus mark time for their work in the
fields or on the river. This song is introduced by a phrase which seems
to speak of it as being "in answering chant"; and this perhaps gives us
the technical Egyptian term for antiphonal singing.
_In answering chant they say_:--
This is a good day! to the land come out | The north wind is out.
The sky works according to our heart | Let us work, binding firm our
heart.
The following transcription of the original Egyptian may give some idea
of the assonances of words and ordered repetitions which marked the
poetical style; the main repetitions are here italicized.
_Khen en usheb, zet-sen_:--
Hru pen nefer, _per_ em ta | Ta mehyt _perta_.
Ta pet her art en _ab-en_ | Bek-en mert _ab-en_.
In the same tomb there is another song, already well known but less
noticeable in form than the above. It is sung to the oxen on the
threshing-floor.
Thresh for yourselves. Thresh for yourselves.
Thresh for yourselves. Thresh for yourselves.
Straw to eat; corn for your masters;
Let not your hearts be weary, your lord is pleased.
Translation of F. Ll. Griffith.