A song – Sort of

To the tune of “My Darling, Clementine.”

Yobo sayo, yobo sayo,

Yobo sayo, iddy wa.

Money oop so, cutta chogie,

Money e-saw, iddy wa.

GI translation:

Hello, hello,

Hello, you come here.

You got no money, go away,

You got money, you come here.

From the 1960s by American soldiers in Korea. After leaving Korea, I wondered if the words were Japanese, since Japan occupied Korea from 1905-45. Google gave answers.

“Yobosayo” is Korean and means “Hello.” “Iri wa” or “Idi wa” also is Korean and means “Come here.” “Oopso” or “Opso” also is Korean and means “to not be” or “to not have.” “Cutta chogie” I did not find, but other words for “go away” include “daw nah gah” and “juh ree gah.”

Today’s language lesson.

You’re welcome.