Kimchee Line
Bhi Bhiman Lyrics
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I'm on the kimchee line
I'm on the kimchee line
Its cabbage time
Well I went up on the mountain
To see if I could fly
Went down to the sea, lord
So I picked a pickled pepper
From the Leader's Tree
I got some prawn and oysters
For the Vitamin E
I'm on the kimchee line
Its radish time
Well there ain't no use boy
In trying to jump that fence
They got guns on the green side
You ain't making no sense
So I climbed up on a ladder
To see what I could see
While the leader's getting fatter
I feel my stomach bleed
I'm on the kimchee line
It's scallion time
Well I gave up all my hopes
Of ever breaking these ropes
To the Leader's jubilation
I still love my mighty nation
Before I tell you where I sit ma'am
I'd like to tell you where I stand
I got a niece and daughter
In a freer land
I'm on the kimchee line
It's cucumber time
The opening lyrics to Bhi Bhiman's song "Kimchee Line" speak of being on the kimchee line, suggesting a time of year when the vegetables needed for making the Korean dish kimchi are in season. The repetition of the phrase emphasizes this, creating a rhythm that feels like a chant, a repetitive mantra. The chorus mentions it being "cabbage time," "radish time," "scallion time," and "cucumber time," all of which are commonly used vegetables in Korean cooking.
The following verses paint a more surreal picture with the lines "Well I went up on the mountain to see if I could fly, went down to the sea, lord, and the sea was dry." These lines seem to speak of the futility of trying to rise above one's current circumstances, or the lack of resources despite being in a place that seems to offer them. The reference to picking a pickled pepper from the Leader's Tree, which may be a reference to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, seems to suggest that even those in power are not immune to the natural world.
The final verse feels like a mix of resignation and defiance with the lines "I gave up all my hopes of ever breaking these ropes, to the Leader's jubilation, I still love my mighty nation. Before I tell you where I sit ma'am, I'd like to tell you where I stand, I got a niece and daughter in a freer land." Despite the singer's powerlessness, they still feel connected to their country and loved ones, perhaps indicating that they are in the United States or another country that values freedom. Overall, the song seems to be a commentary on the difficulties of life in North Korea, or perhaps an allegory for struggles that feel futile and repetitive.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm on the kimchee line
I am waiting in line to get some kimchee
I'm on the kimchee line
I am still waiting in line for kimchee
I'm on the kimchee line
I am patiently continuing to wait in line for kimchee
Its cabbage time
It is time to make kimchee with cabbage
Well I went up on the mountain
I climbed up a mountain to try to fly away
To see if I could fly
I wanted to test if I had the ability to fly
Went down to the sea, lord
I went to the ocean
And the sea was dry
The ocean was unexpectedly dry
So I picked a pickled pepper
I picked a pepper that had already been pickled
From the Leader's Tree
I took the pepper from the tree that the Leader owns
I got some prawn and oysters
I acquired some prawns and oysters
For the Vitamin E
Because they contain Vitamin E and are healthy for me
It's radish time
It is time to use radish in the kimchee recipe
Well there ain't no use boy
There is no point in trying, young man
In trying to jump that fence
Attempting to jump over the fence is futile
They got guns on the green side
There are guns on the other side of the fence
You ain't making no sense
You are not acting logically
So I climbed up on a ladder
I used a ladder to climb up
To see what I could see
I wanted to gain a better view of my surroundings
While the leader's getting fatter
The Leader is becoming increasingly overweight
I feel my stomach bleed
I am experiencing intense pain in my abdomen
It's scallion time
It is the right time to use scallions in the kimchee recipe
Well I gave up all my hopes
I have abandoned all my aspirations
Of ever breaking these ropes
I have accepted that I will never be free from captivity
To the Leader's jubilation
The Leader is happy and takes joy in my imprisonment
I still love my mighty nation
I maintain a strong love and loyalty to my country
Before I tell you where I sit ma'am
Before I give you my seat, let me explain something
I'd like to tell you where I stand
I want to share my beliefs and perspective with you
I got a niece and daughter
I have a niece and daughter
In a freer land
They are currently living in a country with more freedom
It's cucumber time
It is the perfect time to add cucumber to the kimchee mixture
Contributed by Brooklyn Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
AP Mtz
WTF? This is awesome!
aha
kimchi liinr