Heading West to Make a Living

Journey West

In the old days, the rural Loess Plateau of Shanxi and Shaanxi suffered drought nine years out of ten. The land was barren, and people depended on the weather for their harvests. In years of disaster, crops failed completely, and even wild vegetables and tree bark were dug up and eaten. The people endured bitter cold and hunger, suffering beyond words. To stay alive, countless farm men had no choice but to leave their wives, children, and elders behind and embark on the long journey known as “Journey West,” heading beyond the frontier to make a living.

The road ahead stretched through endless sand and dust, with bitter winds that cut to the bone. Bandits and disease were common along the way, and many died far from home. The women who stayed behind tilled the fields and ran their households alone, worrying day and night about their loved ones far away. The song “Journey West” captures all the heartbreak of parting.