Music by Dao Nguyen
From poem written by Pham Ngoc
English translation: Trinh Do
My childhood consisted neither of song
Nor of smiles, nor of mother's lullabies
I grew up solely by tears
Amidst the dark nights that imprisoned me.
My age is not yet thirteen
Nor am I reached sweet sixteen
Stormy has been my life hitherto
As I stumble in this abyss
Chorus :
My innocence now is lost
My steps number countless aimless paths
Amongst strangers, who would lament for me
Where is now my home, forever ingrained in my heart
A life of misery is my childhood
Who sold my body, now shamed, to foreign lands
How utterly senseless should humans be
O, my mighty God! My mighty God!
My growth is like eternal slavery
Lost are the loving arms of mother
My innocent youth, that erstwhile smile
Such innocence is what I returned to humanity!
My innocent youth, that erstwhile smile
Pitying me, Autumn sheds its mournful tears.
I adapted this song from the verses of the poet Pham Ngoc, whilst my children were playing by my side, the youngest being only 4 months old. And it was in this scenario that I wrote, whilst my tears of sympathy poured down for the unfortunate children. The song was completed on the opening day of the exhibition "Human for Sale", which was on October 6, 2006. The entire duration was only 15 days since the poem was first written until the song was recorded. The completion of the song was achieved due to our strong compassions, people like us who have contributed to this song. I hope that the touching voice of the singer Dong Thao will communicate our inner passions to everyone. It is mainly our modest desire that everyone will take notice of the tragedies occurring in South-East Asia. From this viewpoint, let us together participate in the task of preventing such heart-wrenching situations. And these are also the wish and expressed thoughts of Ms. Jenny Do, one of the initiators who called for the exhibition "Human for Sale" at Green Rice Gallery (Oct 6th through November 4th, 2006).
Dao Nguyen
Oct 13th, 2006
******************************
Published Album:
***CD Nhu*~ng Ba^.c The^`m Re^u (Ti`nh Khu'c Dda`o Nguye^n 2) available 12/28/2008
Singers: Y' Lan, Don Ho^`, Quang Tua^'n, Ho^`ng Ha.nh, Cam Tho*, Dda(.ng Tra^`n Vy Tha?o, Ba?o Phu'c, nho'm thie^'u nhi.
Arranged By: Ddo^`ng So*n, Ba?o Phu'c, Hoa`ng Co^ng Lua^.n, Ha?i Phu*o*ng
Price $15.00 US each including freight.
To order contact: Dao Nguyen
daonguyenmusic@yahoo.com
PO Box 362156
Milpitas, CA 95036-2156
U.S.A.
408-896-6290
***CD "Tra? La.i Cho Anh"
Available Oct 5th, 2004
Singers: Die^~m Lie^n, Quang Tua^'n, Quy`nh Lan, Ho^` Quy`nh Hu*o*ng, Trang Nhung, Quang Minh
Arranged by: Le^ Huy, Ba?o Phu'c, Thanh La^m
This CD album comes in a 15 pages music album 5.25 x 5.25 with Vietnamese songs lyrics and English translations.
Price $15.00 US each including freight.
To order contact: Dao Nguyen
daonguyenmusic@yahoo.com
PO Box 362156
Milpitas, CA 95036-2156
U.S.A.
408-896-6290
(Please make check payable to Dao Nguyen)
CD also available at the following stores in San Jose, CA: Hu*o*ng Giang Music & Video (408-274-8007).
