Painting by Nguyên Khai
Then I met Nguyễn Tất Nhiên. In the rather oppressive atmosphere of South Vietnam's poetry of that time, full of poems about war, peace, etc. this 17 year old student wrote his apolitical poems. Poems that were spontaneous and funny, and I thought they would be very suitable to make into songs for my son Duy Quang with his youthful sounding voice, and his band THE DREAMERS which I was trying to launch.
After I wrote a melody for his poem Thà là Giọt Mưa Rớt Trên Tượng Ðá (I'd Rather Be A Raindrop Falling On A Statue), Nguyễn Tất Nhiên provided me with several poems which I adapted into popular youthful songs: Cô Bắc Kỳ Nho Nhỏ (Little Northern Girl), Em Hiền Như Ma Soeur (You're As Sweet As a Nun), Anh Vái Trời (I Pray To God) or Anh Nam Kỳ Dễ Thương (Cute Southern Young Man), Hãy Yêu Chàng (Love Him), Hai Năm Tình Lận Ðận (Two Years Of Painful Love), etc. The songs' titles were usually made up by myself; for example, CÔ BẮC KỲ NHO NHỎ was adapted from a poem entitled ÐÁM ÐÔNG (Crowd).
I have been involved with poets of several generations, most of them free-spirited, i.e. touched with a dose of madness, like myself. But three of them stand out in that respect among all other Viet poets: Nguye^~n Ngu Y', Bu`i Gia'ng va` Nguye^~n Ta^'t Nhie^n. All three have at some time been guests of Bie^n Ho`a Mental Asylum, where I once visited one of them. (Incidentally, the director of this institution was the son of writer Bi`nh Nguye^n Lo^.c, a friend of mine).
I'D RATHER BE A RAINDROP
(poem by Nguyễn Tất Nhiên - adaptation by Phạm Duy)
I'd rather be a raindrop breaking on a statue
I'd rather be a raindrop drying on a statue
I'd rather be a raindrop embracing a statue
That would be better than being nothing at all.
From a hundred years out she came to this river
From a hundred years out she came to this river
I wave until my hand wears out
I wave until my hand wears out
But only see the river and the endless waves
I'd rather be a raindrop breaking on a statue
I'd rather be a raindrop drying on a statue
I'd rather be a raindrop embracing a statue
That would be better than being nothing at all.
From a hundred years out you came to waken love
From a hundred years out you came to waken love
Round and round I run, until my feet wear out
Not knowing that life has dried out,
Not knowing that life has dried out,
I'd rather be a raindrop breaking on a statue
I'd rather be a raindrop drying on a statue
I'd rather be a raindrop embracing a statue
That would be better than being nothing at all.
From a hundred years out you came like a sharp knife
From a hundred years out you came like a sharp knife
Piercing my heart, bringing a silent death
Blood does not have time to flow
Blood does not have time to flow
I'd rather be a raindrop breaking on a statue
I'd rather be a raindrop drying on a statue
I'd rather be a raindrop embracing a statue
That would be better than being nothing at all.
From a hundred years out you came and made my hair fade
From a hundred years out you came and made my hair fade
I run blind, I run to my last breath
I fall on the ground, my hair tangling people's feet.
I'd rather be a raindrop breaking on a statue
I'd rather be a raindrop drying on a statue
I'd rather be a raindrop embracing a statue
That would be better than being nothing at all.
From a hundred years away you came to Law School
From a hundred years away you came to Law School
I failed my High School Graduation, I wait to be drafted
I hurt so much I want to cry
I hurt so much I want to cry
I'd rather be a raindrop breaking on your face
I'd rather be a raindrop breaking on Duye^n's face
So I can hear the sound of rushing rain
Trembling raindrops wetting the soft down
Trembling raindrops wetting the soft down
To make that person suffer remorse
To make Duye^n suffer for eternity.
CÔ BẮC KỲ NHO NHỎ
LITTLE NORTHERN GIRL
(poem by Nguyễn Tất Nhiên - adaptation by Phạm Duy)
Little Northern girl
With the hair worn in tomboy style
Coming down for some fresh air this afternoon
Did you happen to see me?
Little Northern girl
With your innocent smile
You stopped the wind on the road
How can I wander without the wind?
Do you sympathize with me?
Life has many paths of danger
I bear the original sin
The pagoda gates are not open
Every devil seeks a refuge
I look for God in the church
Bearing a cross, I ask to be a good lamb
Seeing the tailed and horned creature
God feels pity for the suffering people.
Little Northern girl
Hair worn in tomboy style
Riding into the market I see you
And forget all anger, and I hate the crowd
Little Northern girl
With the eyes of heavens
Look at me, look at me well
Before looking at the crowd
Before entering the crowd
Little Northern girl!
ANH VÁI TRỜI
I PRAY TO GOD
(poem by Nguyễn Tất Nhiên - adaptation by Phạm Duy)
With her round doll's eyes
The young lady looked at me proudly
I pray to God she'll be easy to tame
Easy to tame, easy to tame.
On her mountain-high heels she steps
Her clothes always fashionable, even at exam time
I pray to God she'll stumble
So I can lift her, so I can lift her.
I pray to God she likes dreams
So I can tell her about mine
Last night a butterfly boy
Vowed to die in a schoolgirl's pages
Aaah!
I pray to God she's not indifferent to me
She'll not treat me like a fable
So I can invite her to go shopping
And take her to the theater
And take her to the theater
With golden fingers stained with cigarette smoke
She tugs at heartless time
I pray to God she's not quick to anger
Not prone to jealousy
Her eyes round as a doll's
When you choose a husband remember me
I pray to God the two of us
Will have lots of children...
HAI NĂM TÌNH LẬN ÐẬN
TWO YEARS OF PAINFUL LOVE
(poem by Nguyễn Tất Nhiên - adaptation by Phạm Duy)
Two years of painful love, we've both lost color
Two years of cold weather, we've both got the blues
Two years of painful love, we're both emaciated
Two years of painful love, now we have to say good bye
You used to wear a pigtail that underlined your innocence
I was awkwardly handing you a letter in the school yard
You would give me a coquettish look, I would look out for you
You walked slowly in the street, I waited anxiously in the cafe
Two years of painful love, we've both lost color
Two years of cold weather, we're both sighing
Two years of painful love, we're both emaciated
Two years of painful love, now we have to say good bye
Perhaps you're now making your dishonest schemes
Perhaps I'm now content to be a loser
Coldly the bells toll, Christ's statue is thinner than before
Perhaps Christ is coming to the world in the rain.
I am now more devoted than a believer
Imploring to be a cross on the steeple
Lonely, covered by dust and moss
Before ascending the throne, God could have been credulous.
Two years of painful love, we're both older
Two years of painful love, we're both older
We're both older...
EM HIỀN NHƯ MA SOEUR
YOU'RE AS SWEET AS A NUN
(poem by Nguyễn Tất Nhiên - adaptation by Phạm Duy)
I take you home under the rain
No need to say anything
Like the rain life floats by
Are we really together?
Fingers, my fingers
Caress your long hair
We go into a cafe at noon
To remind ourselves of dying love.
Your soul is pure and innocent
You wear a splendid cross
I am full of remorse
Yet still am depraved
I take you home under the rain
No need to say anything
I take you home under the rain
Together, yet so far apart.
You're as sweet as a nun
My wound runs through the seasons
My heart is so sick
Sister, o sister!
Please sing a lullaby
To this non-believer
To this credulous person
Sister, o sister!
I take you home under the rain
The wheels roll up the steep slope
I take you home under the rain
Spots of mud are staining your dress
I take you home under the rain
My little sister
Love has passed
But when will the past be gone ?
Little shoulders under the rain
Still look the same
Love has gone away
But when will the past be gone ?
CODA
I take you home under the rain
O little sister
Love has passed
But when will the past be gone ?
Little shoulders under the rain
Still look the same
Love has gone away
Soaking wet is the soul of sister.
La la la la
La la la la
HÃY YÊU CHÀNG
LOVE HIM
(poem by Nguyễn Tất Nhiên - adaptation by Phạm Duy)
Love him! Love him!
As you love a river holding the young moon's reflection,
dreaming all year long
Love him, he will carry love to your innocent eyes
Love him! Love him!
As you love the clouds floating, holding a fresh flower
Love him, he'll blow a wind of love through your hair.
Love him! Love him!
As you love the young rice seedlings in the spurt of growth
Love him, he'll kiss your breast full of love
Love him! Love him!
As you love the cool dew drops and the good smelling young grass
Love him, he'll weave love into your warm breath
Love him! Love him!
As you love unending hope in a happy heart
Love him, he'll breathe a love that will warm your hands
Love him! Love him!
As you love the joyful morning sun, bringer of dreams
Love him, he'll light the love that shines on your slender shape.
Love him! Love him!
As you love the wind in which your pink dress flutters
Love him! Love him!
As you love the rain
That washes the young grass
Love him! Love him!
Love him! Love him!
Love him!
Pre-War Era Poets
Cung Trầm Tưởng
Phạm Thiên Thư
Other Poets