to the ground as if transfigured by the falling ash. Seeing her thus impassioned, Yu carries her in his customary fashion and takes her to bed, marking their new beginning as husband and wife. The scene is remarkable for its tangible sense of tension and passion accomplished almost purely through imagery. While the use of natural elements heightens the emotion of passion, the songs in Red Sorghum seem to celebrate the right to individual expression and freedom from oppression. They also reinforce the mythical content of the film; the songs are close in sound and form to traditional Shandong opera, and two of them -- the sedan carriers' song and the song to the god of wine -- have lyrics by Zhang himself.(6) In the scene after Yu and Nine have made love in the sorghum, Nine continues her journey on muleback to her father's house with Yu travelling parallel to her, completely hidden in the tall sorghum. As they journey along, Yu serenades with gusto to Nine. His song aggravates and perplexes Nine's father who is unable to see the hidden singer. Press on, bravely, sweetheart, press on, don't turn back. There are 9990 roads, 9990 roads to heaven... Press on, bravely, sweetheart, press on, don't turn back. You'll have a red betrothal stall, To choose a man you'll throw a ball And on my head it'll fall. I'll drink with you, We'll drink red, red sorghum wine.(7) Since the cheeky ballad is sung with clear disregard of Nine's marital status in the presence of her father, the song is not only Yu's token of love to her but it is also a statement of rebellion against tradition and authority. Another remarkable song in the film is sung by the distillery workers to consecrate the new red sorghum wine. Besides being good humoured and down-to-earth, the lyrics invoke good health and courage and a hint of rebellion: New wine on the ninth of ninth Good wine from our labour, good wine! If you drink our wine, You'll breathe well, you won't cough. If you dr...
