July is a poem written by slaves in the early years of the Western Zhou Dynasty (Xunyi County, Shaanxi Province, xian county). This poem is long and old, with some mistakes, but the basic order is clear.
The work described in the poem has joy in bitterness and difficulty in relaxation. There is no need to deliberately whitewash or weave, just filter out many hardships and misfortunes in life. Poetry only wants to keep what is valuable in people's eyes, even the cordial customs and feelings in their hearts. Therefore, it has been sung ever since.
Wang Anshi said: "Look up at the changes of frost and dew on the stars, observe the changes of insects, birds and vegetation, so as to know the weather, teach civil affairs, serve maids inside, serve men outside, be loyal to the next, help father and son, help husband and wife, care for the young, help the weak to eat, and sacrifice at the same time, and be strict with yourself." This "seven"
The whole poem is divided into eight chapters, with eleven sentences in each chapter. Basically, the work and life of male and female slaves are written month by month in the order of seasons. It is worth noting that the chronological narrative is very similar to a lunar poem, similar to the four seasons or December songs in later folk songs. The content described is the miserable situation of slaves who have worked hard all the year round and have no food and clothing.