[Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Haimen folk song in Nantong is a kind of traditional music that is popular in Haimen, Qidong, Tongzhou, and Rudong. In 2008, it was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

Haimen folk song is an integration of Shadi folk song in Nantong and Wu ballads in the Jiangnan region.

File photo: Singers of Haimen folk song. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

With vivid lyrics, sweet and graceful melodies, Haimen folk song is divided into two categories – lyrical folk song and narrative folk song.

The former is also called short folk song, which is usually sung in an impromptu way by people when they are working while the latter is called long folk song, which has a complete story and various tunes. Narrative folk songs are usually sung solo or in antiphonal style.

File photo: A Haimen folk song singer stages a performance. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Haimen folk song involves all aspects of life, including labor and love, and shows a spirit of optimism. Researchers in dialectology, folklore, ethnomusicology, and history use Haimen folk song as a useful source of materials.