2. Pāloṭu pal̲am Taruven (Parrot Song)

A popular “play song” usually accompanied by clapping and a circle dance, this is also an example of the Kerala "parrot song" genre, addressed to a bird. First requesting a parrot to bring news in exchange for milk and fruit, the song then relates the allegory of a bird (the Jews) struck by the arrow of a hunter. The wounded bird flew first to the seashore of Palur (where there was once an ancient Jewish settlement) and then to a high place of safety -- probably the port city of Kochi, where this version of the song was sung. A quite different version is found in a notebook from the inland village of Parur. These performers remembered having heard the song performed at Hanukkah parties many years earlier. 

Text

Milk with fruit I shall give - Aiyaya
To you, oh my lovely parrot. - Aiyaya
Fruit from the branch I shall pluck, - Aiyaya
I shall pluck and give to you. - Aiyaya
If you will tell me some good news, - Aiyaya
Parrot, I'll pluck the fruit for you. - Aiyaya

This is what happened at one time. - Aiyaya
A bird had just begun to fly. - Aiyaya
Seeing the bird as it approached, - Aiyaya
A hunter came to interrupt its flight. - Aiyaya
Seeing the coming of the hunter, - Aiyaya
The bird turned pale, its color gone. - Aiyaya
Pierced by the arrow of the hunter, - Aiyaya
The bird fell fluttering to the ground. - Aiyaya
Oh see the torment of the bird, - Aiyaya 

Just for wanting fruit from the branch! - Aiyaya
Nearby the seashore of Palur, - Aiyaya
The bird saw the short palm trees there. - Aiyaya
Nearby the seashore of Palur, - Aiyaya
There the bird went and bathed. - Aiyaya
No other high place could it find, - Aiyaya
No other place for it to rest. - Aiyaya
A splendid green mansion then it found, - Aiyaya
An umbrella made of precious gems. - Aiyaya
This was the choicest place of all; - Aiyaya
This was the place it settled down. - Aiyaya