| Dạ cổ hoài lang | |
| Type: | composition |
| Artist: | Hương Lan |
| Album: | Tình đẹp Hậu Giang |
| Recorded: | 1919 |
| Venue: | Knott's Berry Farm, California, USA |
| Genre: | Vọng cổ |
| Length: | 5:24 |
| Label: | Thúy Nga Productions |
| Composer: | Cao Văn Lầu |
| Lyricist: | Cao Văn Lầu |
Dạ cổ hoài lang (pronounced as /vi/, "Night Drum Beats Cause Longing for Absent Husband", Chữ Hán: 夜鼓怀郎[1]) is a Vietnamese song, composed circa 1918 by songwriter Cao Văn Lầu, colloquially known as "Sáu Lầu," from Bạc Liêu. It was a massive hit across Vietnam in 1927 as it was taken up by travelling troupes and spawned many variants, versions and imitators.[2] [3]
The song Dạ cổ hoài lang marked the beginning of the iconic vọng cổ melody, which has become a subgenre on its own within the đờn ca tài tử and cải lương music that for many people Lầu's Dạ cổ hoài lang is still synonymous with vọng cổ.
Từ là từ phu tướng
Báu (bảo) kiếm sắc phán (phong) lên đàng
Vào ra luống trông tin nhạn
Năm canh mơ màng
Em luống trông tin chàng
Ôi gan vàng thêm đau.
Đường dầu (dù) sa ong bướm
Xin đó đừng phụ nghĩa tào khang
Đêm luống trông tin bạn
Ngày mỏi mòn như đá Vọng phu
Vọng - phu vọng luống trông tin chàng
Lòng xin chớ phụ phàng
Chàng là chàng có hay
Đêm thiếp nằm luống những sầu tây
Bao thuở đó đây sum vầy
Duyên sắt cầm đừng lợt phai
Là nguyện cho chàng
Hai chữ an - bình an
Trở lại gia đàng
Cho én nhạn hiệp đôi.
Literally in English :
“Since saying farewell to my husband - an army general,
When thou wast given the precious sharp sword to go to the front.
I have been walking in and out hoping for a dove swallow to appear,
Dreamy through the night.
I am longing for any news about thee - my husband,
Feeling more painful in the golden liver.
Although the road is full of bees and butterflies,
Please do not subjugate thy health.
The night looks to believe in thee,
Every day I stand wearily like "Husband Longing" mound.
Hope in thee, and hope to keep trusting thee,
Please do not become subordinate.
Thou art a good young man,
Night and night I lay down in my sorrow.
How long ago since we were happily united,
Dependent on love, please don't fade.
All I pray for thee,
Is giving the word "Safety"
And I'll see thee soon in our family
Let the swallows and terns be united.”
This is usually preceded and interspersed by recitative, this is the beginning of the tân cổ version from folk composer (1924)
Mấy cánh mai vàng gởi... gió... xuân
Đường xa đã mỏi gót phong trần
Bâng khuâng dạo bản đàn năm cũ
Một chút ân tình gởi... cố... nhân
Several yellow orchid branches I sent... through the spring... breeze
The road was too long that worn the heels of the weathered man
Marveling I play old year melody
A little love sent... to my old... flame.