On the night of March 27, a lively Shanghainese rap song titled “Snatch Veggies First, Then Do PCR” went viral online.
Lyrics by: CATI2 / PJ / Keyso Shou Junchao
Composed by: CATI2 / PJ / Keyso Shou Junchao
Arranged by: ILL Fortune
Lyrics (translated):
Everyone go snatch veggies—snatch! (snatch!) snatch! (snatch!)
Let's all go snatch veggies—snatch! (snatch!) snatch! (snatch!)
After snatching, do PCR—together now, together now, together now
After snatching, do PCR—together now, together now, together now
CATI2: Set the alarm, crawl out of bed, snatch veggies
Even stinky tofu's gone, no chili sauce to dip
Damn, not fast enough—you can't get anything
Eating corn every day? Can't take it anymore. What now?
So I go to the wet market—but at the gate? Damn! Our compound's locked down again!
(“Don't forget to do PCR at 6 pm in the garden on the night of 3/27!”)
Okay, got it. Guess I'll go back home. What now? More corn and canned chicken.
Honestly, it's getting hard to stomach. Shit like this really wears you down.
Time's almost up—time to head out.
Who dares cut in line? I'll curse you out on the spot.
Don't mess around—line up properly.
Hurry up and finish, go home, sleep. Come back tomorrow night.
PJ: Code red—the loudspeaker's shouting again. The compound's going into lockdown.
Rushed to escape to Pudong—damn, from one cage to another, another damn trap.
Staring at each other thinking who's buying veggies tomorrow morning?
Residents are already eyeing the flowerbeds.
Gold chains around necks, everyone ready to fight—forget Louis, forget Gucci,
We live off food, man—bring the veggies, let's trade, homie—just kidding.
We're not 310s*—we queue up neat and proper, no one yelling.
Feel the energy of the Magic City. You better believe it.
In 48 hours, we'll get through this.
Big shout out to the medics, to my hood, to all who protect Shanghai.
It's almost over—everybody countdown: 3, 2, 1—Shanghai will leave a mark on you.
(*310: local slang referring to rude or uncivilized people)
Keyso: My bro in Minhang's been locked down so long, he's losing it.
Called my Yangpu brother, asked him to send over some groceries.
A few more eggs maybe, but Hema says all riders are off duty,
So we gotta fight for some veggies ourselves.
Everyone's posting test strip photos on their Moments.
The compound does mass PCR, neighbors plan it together.
Uncles and aunties set a time, queue downstairs.
The neighborhood committee shows up with red armbands to lead the line.
My wife asks, “What kind of operation is this?”
In all these years, I've never seen neighbors so friendly.
In a 'harmonious society,' the worse things get, the calmer we must stay.
Follow the instructions—fighting won't solve anything.
Right now we're all grasshoppers on the same rope.
Stuck at home with nothing to do, so I rap for my brothers.
Chill at home—don't go out if there's no need.
Just wait it out for a couple months.
Kids taking online classes every day, eyes glued to the iPad.
Take off the mask and faces look like they came from another world.
Walk a lap around the compound, get some sun.
Wear your mask right, stay calm, wait for the compound to be freed.
We raised Shanghai—we have to believe in Shanghai.
If even Shanghai can't make it, what place can?
Take this rare chance to spend time with family.
No veggies? Damn, eat porridge with pickles.
We're Shanghainese.