Let’s just sing for fun. If you don’t want to listen, cover your ears. Alright, let’s do it again. No need to clap, we’re just singing for fun. Just a casual performance. Taking you… Is that the right key? (Yes, that key is correct.) OK, let’s redo it. But let’s wait for the hot water – my throat is really dry. Why is it taking so long? A hand cradling with tender care… […] (Yes, here’s Your hot water, Master.) OK. Thank you. Makes me nervous, and I can’t sing. Goodness, making it such an elaborate affair. I sing terribly! Singing terribly, yet posturing for so long. Well, please be patient, because I’m not a real singer. I’m so embarrassed! (Now the introduction, Master.) Introduction. OK.
Taking you across the river an evening of yore when rain was quietly falling for your blue dress to be sodden and your hair drenched. If I had not taken you home, then we might not have gotten acquainted. Walking the same path home, how could I have the heart to turn away? Taking you across the river an evening of yore when rain was quietly falling Worrying the soil might touch your heels and the wind too chilly for your heart If I had not taken you home, then we might not have gotten acquainted. If we hadn’t walked the same trail, I wouldn’t have to feel sorrow this eve.
Then time quietly flowed by Living a soldier’s life, I traveled in all directions Your life was a flower, beautiful as thousands of poetic inspirations in waiting. The day you got married with a flower-adorned wedding car instead of a boat At the last moment I came to bid farewell, watching firecracker debris linger on your heels, those very heels that I worried would be stained with mud in the rain She has changed the way home and forgotten someone who used to walk her home.
Then time quietly flowed by Living a soldier’s life, I traveled in all directions Your life was a dream, beautiful as thousands of poetic inspirations in waiting. The day you got married with a flower-adorned wedding car instead of a boat At the last moment I came to bid farewell, watching firecracker debris linger on your heels, those very heels that I worried would be stained with mud in the rain She has changed the way home and forgotten someone in the wind and rain.
(Encore! You sang so beautifully, Master. And You still remember the whole original version.) (You sang so well!) It’s been such a long time. It’s been so long since I last sang. (So wonderful, Master.) Is it good? (Master sang beautifully. So wonderful, Master!) You almost made me believe it. What song next? What do you like? Let’s sing something cheerful, this is too sad. (Yes.) Hmm? (Yes.) (“Sing Out for Joy.”) (“Sing Out for Joy.”) That’s a lovely song too.
Does anyone know “Northern Love, Southern Affinity”? (Yes, we know.) Ah, that’s a lovely one. (Yes. That’s a beautiful song.) Let’s sing something cheerful. (“Song of Love,” Master. “Song of Love.”) “Song of Love”? Anyone who knows it can sing along too. (Yes.) Come sit here, Loan. Is there a chair? Let Loan sit. Does Loan know how to sing this song? You don’t know it? (Yes.) If you know it, come sing along for fun. (I don’t know.) If you don’t remember this song, that’s alright. OK. If anyone knows, prompt me. Please help prompt me, Hòa. Too high.
Someone… (A bit high.) from the North Too high. (A bit high. Master, take it easy, just go slowly.) Has crossed the long, long river It’s OK, but it feels stuck in the throat. (Try adjusting it.) (Yes, a little low.) How should I sing? I can sing at home, but here I feel shy. Has crossed the long, long river And what about later? Oh! Northern love and Southern affinity, what a bond Is it OK? …two seasons fragrant with joy, shared joy To fill life with the fragrance of rice… I’m just too old now. (Let’s find the key. Use this key.) This song needs Việt playing the Aulacese (Vietnamese) zither to sound truly beautiful.
From the North, one has crossed a long river to find a home of affection on this land O! Northern love and Southern affinity are a common bond that we build for eternity Together we lend our caring hands Rejoicing with the two harvesting seasons of corn and potato So life is as fragrant as golden rice grains, O love! Tomorrow’s happiness brings laughter and delight everywhere Pain and sorrow from separation cease on our homeland We’ll bring our love to the Northern land Returning to the flower garden to offer her a sweet briar Songs of loving affection make her cheeks rosy
O! Northern love and Southern affinity are a common bond that we build for eternity Together we lend our caring hands Rejoicing with the two harvesting seasons of corn and potato So life is as fragrant as golden rice grains, O love! Tomorrow’s success brings laughter and delight everywhere Pain and sorrow from separation cease on our homeland We’ll bring our love to the Northern land Returning to the flower garden to offer her a sweet briar Songs of loving affection make her cheeks rosy O! The pulse of life is peaceful and joyous Together we walk as our shadows merge.
Together we lend our caring hands Rejoicing with the two harvesting seasons of corn and potato So life is as fragrant as golden rice grains, O love! Tomorrow’s success brings laughter and delight everywhere Pain and sorrow from separation cease on our homeland We’ll bring our love to the Northern land Returning to the flower garden to offer her a sweet briar Songs of loving affection make her cheeks rosy O! The pulse of life is peaceful and joyous Together we walk as our shadows merge.
Oh, yeah. (Oh. Yeah!) (“Come Back Quickly, Dear One,” Master.) Five hundred dollars for one ticket. (No problem.) (Master. “Come Back Quickly, Dear One”) I don’t know that song. (The song “Sing Out for Joy,” Master.) (Sing to be happy.) Sing to be happy! (Sing to be happy!) Sing to be happy! (Celebrating the day freedom has arrived.) Celebrating the day freedom has arrived. (Twist. Twist. That’s right.) Do you remember? Are you going to sing? Anyone who remembers must sing. (Those who remember, sing. If you remember, sing well.) Anyone who can’t remember, go out, you hear? Don’t sing randomly, or three or four lines will go all wrong. (Yes.) If someone sings out of sync, it makes even the correct singer mess up, because it throws off the harmony. Got it? OK. (Sing louder. Sing to…) Sing… Wait, wait, let me see. What about the key? Sing to be happy! Is that it? Is that too high? (Too high.) Sing to be happy! (Celebrate freedom’s arrival.) Celebrate freedom’s arrival. (Celebrate freedom’s arrival. Master, please sing!) Sing to be happy! That’s good. (Sing to…) Make sure to sing in the original key. Sing to be happy! Celebrate a life of liberty Is that right?
Merrily we sing together today Drink our cup of ambrosia Greet the new light, forgetting all sorrows Looking back at the worldly path when life was sinking deep Happy chords of reunion resound Jubilant footsteps echoing Our souls immersed in music, enchanted What is it to worry about tomorrow? Joy suffuses our hearts Our love is bright like countless lovely spring blossoms. Sing to be happy! Celebrate a life of liberty Sweeping wind moves our steps to all directions Bask in the morning sun, bathe in the evening rain Forget all about days of long ago Life is very short Greet the new light, forgetting all sorrows Looking back at the worldly path where one has sunk deep Instruments play melodies of reunion The rhythm of jubilant footsteps Our souls immersed in enchanted music, What is there to worry about tomorrow? A source of joy for the soul Our love is bright like countless spring blossoms.
Sing to be happy! Worldly affection is like a roadside traveler Glad that we’ve arrived here. Sweeping wind moves our steps to all directions Bask in the morning sun, bathe in the evening rain Forget all about days of long ago Life is very short Greet the new light, forgetting all sorrows Looking back when people were sinking deep on the worldly path Happy chords of reunion resound Jubilant footsteps echoing Our souls immersed in music, enchanted What is it to worry about tomorrow? Joy suffuses our hearts Our love is bright like lovely spring blossoms.
Sing to be happy! Worldly affection is like a roadside traveler Sweeping wind moves our steps to all directions Bask in the morning sun, bathe in the evening rain Forget all about days of long ago Life is very short Greet the new light, forgetting all sorrows Looking back when people were sinking deep on the worldly path Happy chords of reunion resound Jubilant footsteps echoing Our souls immersed in music, enchanted What is it to worry about tomorrow? Joy suffuses our hearts Our love is bright like lovely spring blossoms. Sing to be happy!
Yeah! Can’t hear my own voice when singing. Can you hear it? (Master sang so well!) Wow, back then I lost my freedom in the music café.
Photo Caption: “Nostalgia: Old HOME Is Forever Alive in the Heart”
