Today, we look at one of the most popular writers during socialist China (1949-1976). His name is Lei Feng. He wrote poetry about dump trucks, but he was killed when a dump truck backed up into a telephone pole which came crashing down on him. As they were cleaning up the deceased earthly possessions, they found a diary that showed such dedication to the party and to Chairman Mao that they decided to use Lei Feng as a model for the ideal party member.

Some say it is all made up, that the communists invented Lei Feng out of thin air as a work of propaganda (but only capitalists and their running dogs believe that). Whatever you believe, take a journey with us as we read Lei Feng’s Ode to a Dumptruck.

Ode to a Dump Truck 

The first time I approached the body of the Dumptruck，

It was as if thunder sounded from the sky

It scared me, I fell back two steps and my heart was frightened

Ah! All along it was just a dump truck dumping out a truckload of  coal

I could just hear that half-empty swish-swish sound

A full coal truck in a line

It dumped it both cleanly and completely

The motor is singing its rumble

The Dumptruck is like a mythical flood dragon

Up and down, it non-stop dumps, gallops, twists and moves

Your power is without limits

Your task is so important and honorable

Sometimes, you have little mechanical issues

Us workers, our hearts…ah

It is worse than losing our own two hands, our eyes still hurt

Dump truck, Oh, dump truck

I am so proud to work beside you

I am willing to struggle beside your body with ceaseless loyalty,

Stretch out your friendly hand, dump truck, 

You, me, together we will walk towards Communism!

我第一次走进翻车机的身边，

仿如空中霹雷响，

吓的我倒退两步心惊慌，

呵！原来是翻车机把一列煤车来个底朝上。

只听那半空中唰唰响，

满满的一列车煤啊 

翻的又净又光。

马达在轰鸣，      

翻车机好像个大蛟龙 ，

上下不停的翻腾绞动 ，

你的力量无尽无穷 ，

你的任务是多么重大而光荣。 

你有时有点小毛病 ，

我们工人的心呵， 

好比失掉双手，眼睛还疼。 

翻车机呀，翻车机，

我在你的身边工作是多么的骄傲！

我愿意在你身边尽忠效力，

伸出你的友谊的手吧-翻车机，

你我共同走向共产主义！

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