Four

[Verse 1]

There was once a great kingdom

And its great king had a beautiful daughter who passed her days in solitude

Weaving garments for the pleasure of her father

One day, while she was sitting beside the great river

Peering across, she saw a handsome young shepherd boy

Leading his flock through the pasture

Immediately, she fell in love

[Verse 2]

Thereafter, she became terribly disheartened, knowing that

Due to her duties at the loom

She would be unable to pursue that love

The king, aware that it was by his bidding that such despair had befallen her

Felt great remorse and arranged for her to marry the shepherd

Their marriage was one of happiness from the start

And every day thereafter, they grew happier and happier

[Verse 3]

However, in immersing herself in her marriage

The princess had neglected her weaving

And as a result, the great king became angry

Unable to reconcile with that anger

The great king banished each of the lovers to opposite sides of the great river

Allowing them only to meet once each year: on the seventh day of the seventh month

On that day, a ferryman carries the shepherd boy across the river to the princess

And returns him home at day’s end

However, if the princess has not fulfilled her obligations at the loom

The king floods the river, and the two cannot meet