Work can change the world and inspire people to sing as well. People eulogize work and sing while at work. Work ballads convey the sights and sounds of different working scenes: herders' flute, hunters' songs, fishing songs, lumbering songs, sailing songs, ramming songs, carriers' songs, etc.

The song of "Drums and Gongs for Weeding" vivifies the work of farmers in the field. Other types of songs also bring to life different working experiences: happy tealeaf-picking girls, careful silkworm-raising girls, hard-working weaver girls, exhausted miners, craftsmen sharing their life hardships and work experiences, etc..