Dạ cổ hoài lang (Vietnamese: [zâːˀ ko᷉ hwâːj laːŋ], "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 vi:Viễn Châu (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.