Dạ cổ hoài lang explained

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.

Lyrics

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.”

Prelude

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.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 首页 / 新闻 有关方面举行古改良剧《夜鼓怀郎》诞生99周年纪念活动和古乐始祖祭祀仪式 . 越南之声广播电台 . zh-cn.
  2. Lonely Planet Vietnam 2001 Mason Florence, Robert Storey - 2001 "Dai Coa Hoaoi Lang (Night Song of the Missing Husband) Composed in 1919 by Bac Lieu, this song is said to have inspired Vietnam's beloved vong co melodies. Following is the English ... See the boxed text 'Da Co Hoai Lang', following."
  3. Southeast Asia: Volume 1 Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Center for Vietnamese Studies - 1971 "Many new kinds of tunes were invented, the most important of which was the vong co. ... In any case, its first full appearance, even in simple form, was as da co or da co hoai lang (longing for one's husband) :48 Moderate Da Co Hoai Lang ..."