In their cultural notes in Sing Chinese, Cindy Mao and Ma Baolin explain that although "Purple bamboo flute" is not widely known in China, this lively and beautiful Shandong folk song is a perfect choice for parents to sing to their babies. It reflects the expectations of Chinese parents for their children. The "new melodies" in the lyrics represent the child's new and better life.

Purple bamboo straight and thin	yì gēn zǐ zhú xì tiáo tiáo
For my chilld I'll make a flute.	sòng gěi bǎo bao zuò guān xiāo
Flute to your lips; lips to your flute.	xiāo er duì zhǔn kǒu kǒu er duì zhǔn xiāo.
From the flute comes new melodies	xiāo zhōng chuī chū xīn shí diào
My little one, yu di yu di you have learned	xiǎo bǎo bao yū di yū di xué huì le
My little one, yu di yu di you have learned	xiǎo bǎo bao yū di yū di xué huì le