Collect the leaves, collect enough of them
during the first (sleep) of the silkworms
they must be green and not wet
take home a basketful of them


collect the leaves
collect more of them

during the second sleep of the silkworms
and willingly from the third to the fourth
the leaves are needed three times a day

but when they spin their cocoons to make silk
then the whole house will be golden
it's such an effort, but farmer
think of the money when you sell the cocoons
go ahead and collect the leaves, go ahead and collect enough of them
as having silkworms is a golden business.

COLLECT THE LEAVES

Song about silkworm rearing

Relating to the economic problems of silkworm rearing, this song describes the key moments in rearing or the four periods of sleep that precede cocoon formation, and the collective effort made by the farmer and his entire family.

Credits: Interviste realizzate da Daniele Lavelli, Emanuele Manzoni e Paolo Pioltelli (luglio-ottobre 2015). Regia, riprese e montaggio di Paolo Pioltelli.