Core Viewpoint - The article explores the evolution and significance of labor songs in Chinese culture, highlighting their role in expressing the spirit of resilience and hard work throughout history [1][4]. Group 1: Historical Context - Labor songs, such as the earliest form "lifting encouragement song," have been part of Chinese culture since ancient times, as recorded in texts like "Lüshi Chunqiu" and "Shijing" [1]. - The tradition of singing during labor has been a way for Chinese people to express their life wisdom and collective spirit over the centuries [1]. Group 2: Types of Labor Songs - "Haozi" (labor songs) serve as a direct expression of workers' lives, with various types corresponding to different labor activities, such as boatmen's songs and agricultural work songs [2]. - "Mountain songs" represent individual expressions of labor, characterized by rich content and free rhythm, often improvised and reflecting the laborers' experiences [2]. - "Short tunes" are more widely spread and cover various aspects of life, serving as a form of everyday expression in both urban and rural settings [3]. Group 3: Modern Developments - The transition from traditional agricultural society to modern production methods has led to new forms of labor music, with songs like "Zanmen Gongren You Liliang" emerging during the industrial era [4]. - Despite changes in labor methods and song forms, the essence of resilience and the spirit of the Chinese people remain embedded in these songs, as evidenced by contemporary performances that evoke strong emotional responses [4].