I’m Shy

All Around This World East Asia Sing-Along (I'm Shy) Country: Malaysia
Language: Temiar

“I’m Shy” is a song from Borneo, the eastern half of Malaysia. It is a song of the Temiar people, who have a proud and rich tradition of communicating with spirits in vivid, often musical dreams. In fact, you’ll hear an original version on a Smithsonian Folkways recording called, “Dream Songs and Healing Sounds in the Rainforests of Malaysia.” On the Smithsonian CD the track.” On the Smithsonian CD the track is titled, “Penhe:y.” The story in the original is about a man who has fallen in love with two women, a local woman who he sees dancing and a visiting ethnographer. An interesting “twist” is that, while the person sharing the dream and melody with the Smithsonian ethnographer is female, the “spirit” whose narrative she’s relating appeared to her in the dream as male.

Lyrics of All Around This World version

Hey-ey eh eh ey eh eh ey ah
I love the woman in the market
I love the woman in the market
I love the woman in the market
But I’m shy, I’m shy, I’m shy
I love the woman who is dancing
I love the woman who is dancing
I love the woman who is dancing
But I’m shy, I’m shy, I’m shy
If I could talk with one or with the other…
If I could talk with one or with the other…
If I could talk with one or with the other…
But I’m shy, I’m shy, I’m shy
Maybe I will talk with them tomorrow
Maybe I will talk with them tomorrow
Maybe I will talk with them tomorrow
‘Cause I’m shy, I’m shy, I’m shy[/wpspoiler]

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