NSND Lê Dung – Trăng Mờ Bên Suố 1997

Today, April 30, is Reunification Day in Vietnam, as well as my return to Vietnamese uploading after 2 copyright strikes. What better way to celebrate both occasions than NSND Lê Dung's beautiful singing of Lê Mộng Nguyên's classic song. Sài Gòn fell on April 30, 1975, as the American war in Vietnam ended, and Ho Chi Minh's forces reunited North and South Vietnam under communist rule (it had been divided in 1954 since the Geneva Accords) Ho Chi Minh had died on September 2, 1969, 24 years after declaring Vietnam's independence from France at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi on September 2, 1945. This had followed both France, since the 1850s, and then Japan for 5 months during 1945, occupying Vietnam. September 2 is therefore Vietnam's National day despite France reoccupying Vietnam from 1946 to 1954. Returning to Trăng Mờ Bên Suố ... It was hearing Lê Dung singing this song that first drew me to her beautiful voice and music. While researching and uploading other songs by her, I came to understand more about Vietnam than I ever had before. Her songs enlightened me and corrected some misconceptions I previously had. I came to admire Hanoi and the North as much as I had Saigon and the South. Both are rich in culture and heart. Thank you Lê Dung. Your songs took me on an extraordinary journey. Bless you so much. Biographical details of both Lê Dung (June 5, 1951- January 30th, 2001) and Lê Mộng Nguyên (May 5, 1930 - now) are inside the video itself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69wY4craPeo is a wonderful live introduction to the charm of Lê Dung's singing and of Vietnamese culture. Lyrics Người hẹn cùng ta đến bên bờ suối Rừng chiều mờ sương ánh trăng mờ chiếu Một đêm thiết tha rồi đây xa cách Rồi đây hai ngả biết tới phương nào? Mịt mùng ngàn thâu suối mơ trầm lắng Lòng buồn từ ly nhớ nhung chiều vắng Người ơi nhớ khúc nhạc lòng đêm ấy Ngàn đời vang nhắc bên suối trăng tà. Suối mơ lời hẹn ước bên bờ suối xưa Nhớ chăng người phương xa trong khói điêu tàn Suối ơi vờn theo bóng trăng vàng ngày xanh Nào những lúc trên thuyền say sưa nhìn trăng vừa lên Ai hay chia lìa sương khói biên thuỳ Hiu hắt người đi xa trường sa. Một ngày xa nhau xoá bao hình bóng Trời bày chia ly chi cho lòng héo Giờ đây cách xa người quên hay nhớ Ngày xưa còn đó trăng nước mong chờ. -------------------------- Approximate Translation Came for my date with the stream Forest was dimly lit by the moonlight A passionate night here far away Which way do the two paths lead Thousands of thorns and dreamy streams Sadness from the memory of the afternoon My dear, I remember the night's music Thousands of lives still reminded me of the golden moon stream Dreaming by the old stream of a promise Remembering people far away in the smokey ruins Oh stream, follow the yellow moon in the blueness Whenever on the boat , eagerly look up at the moon Whoever is parted in the smokey fog Hurry away from it all A day apart from how many shadows Heaven shows separation for the withered heart Now in the distance, people remember or forget In the past, there was a moon in the water to look forward to.