Sarika Keo

Country: Cambodia
Language: Khmer

A traditional Cambodian song about a sarkia keo bird, a myna bird common in the countryside that some Cambodians raise in their houses and even train to speak.

“Sarika Keo” appears in two wonderful collections of child-friendly folk songs compiled by Patricia Sheehan Campbell–“Roots and Branches: A Legacy of Multicultural Music for Children,” and “Silent Temples, Songful Hearts: Traditional Music of Cambodia.”

Lyrics of All Around This World version:
Sarika keo bird oh what are you doing right now?
Sarika keo bird oh what are you doing right now?
Sarika keo bird oh you’re dancing with your wing
Euy koe keo euy, euy koe keo euy
Sarika keo bird oh what are you doing right now?
Sarika keo bird oh what are you doing right now?
Sarika keo bird with your beak you sing
Euy koe keo euy, euy koe keo euy
Sarika keo bird oh what are you doing right now?
Sarika keo bird oh what are you doing right now?
Sarika keo bird you’re dancing with your wing, and with your beak you sing
Euy koe keo euy, euy koe keo euy