noun
workmen's chant while pulling a heavy load
A traditional rhythmic chant used by laborers to coordinate effort when hauling heavy objects, especially timber or floats in festivals.
祭りで神輿を担ぐとき、木遣りが響いた。
During the festival, the workmen's chant echoed as they carried the portable shrine.
昔、大工たちは材木を運ぶときに木遣りを歌った。
In the old days, carpenters sang a workmen's chant when hauling timber.
木遣り唄 specifically refers to the song itself, while 木遣り can refer to the chant or the act of chanting.
Compound of 木 (ki, 'wood, timber') and 遣り (yari, from 遣る yaru, 'to send, to do'), referring to the act of moving timber with a coordinated chant.