Today’s A Journey
through Aesthetic Realms
will be presented in
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
with subtitles in Arabic,
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian,
Italian, Japanese,
Korean, Mongolian,
Persian, Portuguese,
Russian and Spanish.
Âu Lạc (Vietnam)
is a nation with
a longstanding
traditional culture.
Aulacese musical
heritage is bountiful;
since ancient times,
many soul-stirring musical instruments
have been created with
diverse sounds like those
of the copper drum,
gong, lithophone,
bamboo xylophone,
cymbals, and panpipe.
In 2003, Elegant Music,
a style of Huế royal court
music, was recognized
by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO)
as an intangible cultural
heritage of the world.
Âu Lạc’s music represents
the unique features of
each region, for example,
Quan Họ folksongs
in the north,
Huế tunes in the central,
and modern folk opera
in the south.
In addition, there are many
other forms of music,
including hò,
lý, ceremonial songs,
Aulacese classical theatre,
chèo traditional opera,
hồ quảng opera,
and so on.
Indeed, the essence of music is imbued
in the hearts of people
in this beautiful country,
and has been cultivated
until this day.
Xẩm singing is
an Aulacese genre
used by the troubadours
in the olden time.
According to
the Đại Nam National
Language Dictionary
compiled by scholar
Paulus Huỳnh Tịnh Của,
the word “xẩm” means
“dark” or “blind.”
Legend has it
that xẩm singing
was founded by Prince
Trần Quốc Đĩnh,
a son of King Trần Thánh
Tông in the 13th century.
The prince himself
became sightless after
a calamity which forced
him to live
among the commoners.
He kindheartedly taught
xẩm singing to the blind
to give them a means
to earn a living by
performing on the streets.
Therefore, xẩm singing
is often associated
with blind minstrels.
Nowadays,
wandering xẩm singing
no longer exists,
but has become
an on-stage performance
as a unique
traditional art.
Besides the main styles
such as market, love or
ten favors of gratitude,
xẩm singers also perform
other folk tunes
beautifully.
Musical instruments
which accompany
xẩm singing include
the two-string lute,
two-string vertical fiddle,
a thin drum,
a set of wooden bells,
and sometimes the flute.
In a gathering
with a small group of
our Association members
some years past,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
was inspired to
spontaneously compose
and sing in the xẩm style
a poem she had written in
her late 20s in Germany.
The poem was originally
written in English which
the poet herself
translated into Aulacese
(Vietnamese).
We now invite you
to enjoy an excerpt
of the xẩm singing
“We Don't Live More
Than One Hundred Years!”
composed and sung
by Supreme Master
Ching Hai.
SORRY darling
if I could wait no more,
I am not a nun,
and never want to be so.
You don’t wish
to share your life,
So let me go on my way!
I know you think I am crazy,
But what difference
will that be?
I live my life as I please
No matter what others think.
Everyone has
different things!
The arrival of spring
awakes dormant buds,
a little bird raises
his clear voice singing,
and myriad flowers display
their sparkling colors.
Hear you not birds’ song
calling forth springtime?
A sky azure,
a thousand flowers display
their bright colors.
Springtime on Earth
also stirs in humans
the yearning to return to a
realm of beauty and peace .
We now invite you
to enjoy the folk song
from Hà Nam
“Seeking the Fairies,”
presented by vocalists
Văn Nguyễn
and Bảo Yến.
Gazing up to see
the high mountain,
the road leading inside
is far.
Gazing up to see
a precarious scenery,
Evening falls on a rocky
and deserted forest.
Sun shines upon
the tea orchard
Hear you not birds’ song
calling forth springtime?
A sky azure, a thousand
flowers display
their bright colors.
Our love is as beautiful
as the myriad blossoms.
Birds’ singing resounds
The babbling brook
is crooning a sweet song
Birds’ singing resounds
The babbling brook
is crooning a sweet song
The forest scent
permeates the air
At orchard’s end comes
the sound
of the wooden bell
urging buffaloes home.
Gazing up the slope
to see a woodcutter
Sitting by a green tree,
leaning against
the sacred mountain.
Amidst
floating incense smoke,
leaning against
the sacred mountain
Floating incense smoke.
Birds’ singing resounds
The babbling brook
is crooning a sweet song
Birds’ singing resounds
The babbling brook
is crooning a sweet song
The forest scent
permeates the air
At orchard’s end comes
the sound
of the wooden bell
urging buffaloes home.
Gazing up the slope
to see a woodcutter
Sitting by a green tree,
leaning against
the sacred mountain.
Amidst
floating incense smoke,
leaning against
the sacred mountain
Floating incense smoke.
I cross the mountain pass
and streams with 3 quan
(monetary unit)
I cross the mountain pass
and streams with 3 quan.
Crossing mountains,
passing forests,
I hear three, four groups
of fairies playing music.
While the world
celebrates springtime,
I seek the loving fairies,
in the fairy palace.
I cross the mountain pass
and streams with 3 quan
(monetary unit)
I cross the mountain pass
and streams with 3 quan.
Crossing mountains,
passing forests,
I hear three, four groups
of fairies playing music.
While the world
celebrates springtime,
I seek the loving fairies,
in the fairy palace.
An elder sister with her
God-given special role
always looks after
her younger siblings with
the gentlest loving care.
Her sweet lullaby
carries her wish
for them to attain success
and lead a happy life.
Only when you achieve
academic success,
Will I feel contented
and at peace.
We invite you to enjoy
the Northern Aulacese
folk song
“An Elder Sister’s Lullaby,”
presented by Tú Anh.
I’m gazing at the west,
where a high mountain
casts its shadow
The north-east wind
blows in from the fields.
I’m gazing at the east,
As the ferry passes,
I gaze at the river pier,
longing for Mother
to come home.
Bamboo branches
sway and creak
Swallows fly back
to the southern sky.
Sleep well, little one.
Sleep sound, my sweet one.
I’m carrying you in my arms
You’re so young
to know anything.
Soon you will talk and walk.
Slowly you will grow up.
Only when
you achieve success,
will I feel contented
and at peace.
I’m carrying you in my arms
You’re so young
to know anything.
Soon you will talk and walk.
Slowly you will grow up.
Only when
you achieve success,
will I feel contented
and at peace.
You grow up and
become wiser each day.
May you sleep well,
every day.
Quan Họ is an Aulacese
ancient folk song genre
which is very popular
in the delta region
of northern Âu Lạc.
This singing style
expresses
sweet sentiments;
it is rich in tunes and
closely associated with
activities taking place
at the courtyard
in the temple
or communal house,
by the banyan tree
or river pier.
Quan Họ’s content often
portrays the importance
of kindness and loyalty
in all relations in the
family and community.
The young women
of Hà Nội, both skilful
and hard-working,
weave their singing into
every silk piece of fabric
made from plants and
every tender embroidery
to adorn this endearing life.
I spin the thread
and thread the needle
I embroider
my faithful love into
a scarlet crepe kerchief
and send it to you.
The Quan Họ folk song
“Threading the Needle”
will be presented by
Minh Hằng.
Please enjoy.
I spin the thread
and thread the needle
I sit spinning the thread
and thread the needle.
I embroider
my faithful love into
a scarlet crepe kerchief
and send it to you.
I’m sending it to you.
Blades of the fan
hold intact our faithful love.
Oh how I cherish the fan!
I spin the thread
and thread the needle
I sit spinning the thread
and thread the needle.
I embroider
my faithful love into
a scarlet crepe kerchief
and send it to you.
I send it to you.
Held by the spider’s thread
I’m held by
the thread of love
Held by the spider’s thread
We’ve fallen in love
with each other.
May I be cherished
in your heart.
May I be cherished
in your heart.
Supreme Master Ching Hai
has sent gifts
to the artists contributing
to Âu Lạc’s traditional
folk music program
on Supreme Master
Television.
They expressed
their gratefulness
to Master’s love.
Singer Tú Anh, who
performed the folk song
“An Elder Sister’s Lullaby”:
Respectful greetings to
Supreme Master Ching Hai
and Supreme Master
Television’s viewers.
I’m Hoàng Tú Anh.
I performed the song
“An Elder Sister’s Lullaby,”
a Hà Nam folk song
just broadcast.
As I participated in
the recording of the song
“An Elder Sister’s Lullaby,”
I learned about
vegan foods
and took part in
this vegan cuisine fair.
I feel very happy.
Although I’ve never met
Supreme Master Ching Hai,
I’m very touched
by her heart,
that in the world
there is a person who is
very compassionate
and magnanimous.
I can feel that
from the camera crew;
everyone is very kind.
I also love animals a lot.
I wish Master Ching Hai
good health always and
a happy Lunar New Year.
On New Year,
may everyone love
one another
and love our world
as much as
we love ourselves.
Let’s
Be Veg,
Go Green
2 Save the Planet!
May
Supreme Master Ching Hai
be healthy and enjoy
a peaceful New Year.
Thank you for watching
today’s program introducing
some traditional
folk music genres
from northern Âu Lạc.
Please tune in
to Supreme Master
Television for more
Aulacese folk music
in future broadcasts.
Coming up next is
Vegetarianism:
The Noble Way of Living,
after Noteworthy News.
So long for now.