On the interior, a 152 character inscription describes a royal court appointment by King Xuan of Zhou to the namesake official of the bronze, Song (頌).

[1][3] Part of the set of a series of bronzes, the Song gui is provides insight into Western Zhou administration beyond the scope and historiography of bamboo slip texts.

Use them in [your] service!”’ [I,] Song, did obeisance, bowed and prostrated myself, received the roll with the command (shou ling ce), hung it [on my belt] and came out [of the courtyard].

For ten thousand years of abundant longevity without limits, relentlessly serving the Son of Heaven until the sprightly end, [I,] Song shall for generations of descendants eternally use [this vessel] as a treasure.

Song is then awarded a uniform consisting of a black jacket with embroidered hem, a red apron, a girdle, a banner with jingles, and a bronze-studded bridle.