Little Ping Pong Ball
Words: Wang Yingwei & Xue Deming
Music: Qian Huitan

Photo taken by Bill Joseph at a performance of the Wuxi Little Red Guards, March 1972. Sign says: "Friendship First, Competition Second." For more photos see: Daily Life in China During the Cultural Revolution

Ping ping pong pong ping ping pong,
The rectangular ping pong table is like a battlefield.
Attack! Defense!
The little ping pong ball shines like silver.

With close unity and friendship, we promote the revolutionary work-style.

Why do we play ping-pong?
Here is the sound answer from the Little Red Soldiers:
To build up our health for the people,
To study well and make progress every day!

(Translation by George Z. Chen)