A folksong of the Hezhe tribe of Northeastern China, the Usuli Boat Song is very famous in China and has often been arranged for soloists and chorus with various instrumental accompaniments and included in numerous instrumental works. This setting by Shui Jiang Tian is the first setting for a cappella chorus.
The Hezhe tribe lives along the Usuli River and depends mostly on fishing for its livelihood. They have a very simple language, but many very beautiful folksongs. In this Usuli Boat Song, the description of the beauty of their surroundings and the industry of their people is translated into a lilting melody, punctuated by the shouts of the working fisherman.