A few weeks ago, I sang for old folks. I also stopped by Lang Tre, the Vietnamese senior citizen community in SW Houston to visit some of my parents' friends. There, I sang the following song, a capella, music and lyrics by Thuc Vu. Is Thuc Vu the same as the late Chu Vũ Duc Nghiem?
The song was never sung in public, except once by Doan Chinh (listed on the net). This is the voice of a political prisoner after 1975. I first heard it around 2005 after seeing an interview of a political prisoner tu cai tao in Vietnam, conducted by an American journalist -- the very first time the government of VNCHXHCN opened one of its "reducation camps" to the West (I assumed that was prior to, or concurrent with, the implementation of President Reagan's "HO" program).
I was deeply moved by the interview, and promised myself that i would one day sing this song.
I have made changes to the original lyrics printed on the internet in hopes of eliminating cliche usage and providing more meaning to the theme. As of this time, I have received the original poem by the author, which was used as substance for the lyrics I found on the internet (and made improvements thereto). The original poem by Author Thuc Vu far exceeded the printed lyrics in its literary value and power. I was also informed that Author Thuc Vu was retaliated against for composing the song, and he died in the camp.
I am asking if any FBker who may know the author's estate or descendants, and inform them of what i have done. I never sing this for money, but if and when i sing it, I would like to sing the revised lyrics, the version with my changes, as I believe that my changes add poetic value and depth to the theme. I hope that listeners who read my version below and the author's estate will agree. I follow the melody line; however, for purposes of expression as a singer, I also slightly modify the melody to fit my voice and emotions. Under "fair use," there is no copyright violation, as such.
Anh o day, ban be anh cung o day
Ao rach xac xo vai gay
Cung chung so kiep luu day
Anh o day, ngay ngay com chua du no
Chieu chieu trong theo dan o’
Kiem moi thap thoang bay xa
Toa lien toa, tau di trong anh hoang hon
Tiep noi nhung du am buon
Thanh tho ray rut tam hon
Trang ngam suong, mit mo khong soi neo toi
Duong dai sao roi lac loi
Cho long giang mac khon nguoi
Chieu Suoi Mau xot xa buon nho con
Tinh cho em van dong day khoe mat
Chieu Long Giao tren doi may tim ngat
Nho xua doi minh hen ho cung trang thanh
Anh o day, ban be anh cung o day
Van gieng nuoc sau ben cau
Tim trang, trang vuong day gau
Anh o day, ngay ngay ben trong rao sat
Ngam ngui chua cay chong chat
Giua long nui cu song xua
Anh day xe, ban be anh cung day xe
Duoi nang gat gay trua he
Cong tay nhuc nhoi e che
Mua chieu dong nhat nhoa cam cam lanh gia
Ngam ngui dam dam soi da
Chan buon keo buoc le the
khong ngay mai, vi dau tram dang nghin cay
Khuc san bat ngo voi day
Sau nuoi than xac hao gay
Bao ngay qua doi cho tin ai mon moi
Han thu tren than com coi
Dem ve mo canh chim bay
Nguoi te xuong phat tang mien nui xa
Chieu Son La mua nhat nhoa nuoc mat
Nguoi buong tay trong niem dau chat ngat
Loi di khong con, mit mo mu tuong lai
Le ban chan, guc dau khi nang chieu phai
Gio ret xot xa than gay
Chieu nao guc nga tren doi
Chim ru nhau ve rung khi anh nam xuong
Hinh hai tan theo man suong
Thoi danh kiet suc ben song
Anh con khong!
Anh con khong!
Sao van con o day?
original lyrics by Thuc Vu
modification for van, dieu, rhymes and tones, images and flow, by DNN, 2017
I have found out that the lyrics consisted of two parts: the first part was the original by Thuc Vu (trung ta Vu van Sam cua VNCH). The second part was by Chu' Vu Duc Nghiem, composed after Thuc Vu had died and buried in the camp, Son La, Bac Viet.
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