ENGLISH-SUB Today’s A Journey through Aesthetic Realms will be presented in Aulacese (Vietnamese), with subtitles in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Hungarian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Thai and Spanish.

Âu Lạc (Vietnam) is a nation with a long-standing traditional culture. Aulacese musical heritage is bountiful; since ancient times, many soul-stirring musical instruments have been created with diverse sounds like those of the copper drum, gong, lithophone, bamboo xylophone, cymbals, and panpipe.

In 2003, Elegant Music, a style of Huế royal court music, was recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage of the world. Âu Lạc’s music represents the unique features of each region, for example, Quan Họ folksongs in the north, Huế tunes in the central, and modern folk opera in the south. In addition, there are many other forms of music, including hò, lý, ceremonial songs, Aulacese classical theatre, chèo traditional opera, hồ quảng opera, and so on. Indeed, the essence of music is imbued in the hearts of people in this beautiful country, and has been cultivated until this day.

Xẩm singing is an Aulacese genre used by the troubadours in the olden time. According to the Đại Nam National Language Dictionary compiled by scholar Paulus Huỳnh Tịnh Của, the word “xẩm” means “dark” or “blind.” Legend has it that xẩm singing was founded by Prince Trần Quốc Đĩnh, a son of King Trần Thánh Tông in the 13th century. The prince himself became sightless after a calamity which forced him to live among the commoners. He kindheartedly taught xẩm singing to the blind to give them a means to earn a living by performing on the streets.

Therefore, xẩm singing is often associated with blind minstrels. Nowadays, wandering xẩm singing no longer exists, but has become an on-stage performance as a unique traditional art. Besides the main styles such as market, love or ten favors of gratitude, xẩm singers also perform other folk tunes beautifully. Musical instruments which accompany xẩm singing include the two-string lute, two-string vertical fiddle, a thin drum, a set of wooden bells, and sometimes the flute.

In a gathering with a small group of our Association members some years past, Supreme Master Ching Hai was inspired to spontaneously compose and sing in the xẩm style a poem she had written in her late 20s in Germany. The poem was originally written in English which the poet herself translated into Aulacese (Vietnamese). We now invite you to enjoy an excerpt of the xẩm singing “We Don't Live More Than One Hundred Years!” composed and sung by Supreme Master Ching Hai.

SORRY darling if I could wait no more, I am not a nun, and never want to be so. You don’t wish to share your life, So let me go on my way!

I know you think I am crazy, But what difference will that be? I live my life as I please No matter what other think. Everyone has different things!

Quan Họ is an Aulacese ancient folk song genre which is very popular in the delta region of northern Âu Lạc. This singing style expresses sweet sentiments; it is rich in tunes and closely associated with activities taking place at the courtyard in the temple or communal house, by the banyan tree or river pier. Quan Họ’s content often portrays the importance of kindness and loyalty in all relations in the family and community.

“As you visit our home,　 we boil water to make tea 　 for you.　 This is precious tea, 　 O friends!”　 The hospitable tradition of the Aulacese people is sweetly conveyed by a Quan Họ folk song titled “An Invitation to Tea and Betel.” Please enjoy the performance of vocalists from the Quan Họ Bắc Ninh Folk Ensemble.

As you visit our home, we boil water to make tea for you. This is precious tea, O friends! Would you each drink a cup to please me? I wish that the river turned into land to let me cross, not having to wait for the boat.

In the pagoda, I light the sacred incense. Living near the temple, I’m still unfortunately alone. Moonlight brightens the peach garden; three or four people are sitting there. Who among them is still unattached? Shall we tie the red thread of marriage?

Holding a tray of betel and areca, I glance at you. On my tray are quids of betel, prepared in the shape of phoenix wings. I invite you to enjoy, my friends! Would you understand our feelings? Do you think of us at all? Would you understand our feelings? Do you think of us at all?

The sight of peaceful white egrets soaring above the verdant fields resembles an idyllic pastoral painting. It has become a bridge of love for young men and women to express their feelings. We now invite you to visit the northern Aulacese delta with this Quan Họ Bắc Ninh folk song entitled “Song of the Egret,” presented by Hạnh Ngân.

An egret hovers close by, flying from the district’s gate to the fields afar.

O my love, O my love, do you know how I feel? Do you think of me? When you go home, do you miss me at all? When I go home, I miss your smile.

O my love, O my love, do you know how I feel? Do you ever miss me?

If we have affinity, let us tie a loving bond. Why ponder then whether one’s rich or poor?

O my love, O my love, do you know how I feel? Do you think of me? Do you ever miss me?

Life is like a river; there are bends that allow us to take a rest and become immersed in the serene nature to calm our hearts. A young woman’s feelings in the song “Life in the Forest” will be conveyed in the following Quan Họ Bắc Ninh folk song, with vocals by Ms. Thúy Hường.

I made a misstep and boarded the boat, and thus I’ve lived three or four years in the forest. Deep river, short pole – who would understand my plight? I’ve lived three or four years in the forest. I’ve lived three or four years in the forest. There birds chirp and gibbons sing.

Excited yet anxious, I made a misstep and boarded the boat. I made a misstep and boarded the boat, Deep is the river, yet short is the pole.

It can’t reach the river bottom. Gentle breeze blows in the twilight. Gentle breeze blows in the twilight. A flock of white swallows soars above the mountain in the misty winter night.

In the misty winter night, I hear a gibbon singing her child to sleep. In the misty winter night, In the misty winter night, I hear a gibbon singing her child to sleep. I hear a gibbon on the mount singing her child to sleep.

Supreme Master Ching Hai has lovingly sent gifts and words of appreciation to the Aulacese folk singers contributing to Supreme Master Television. Singer Hạnh Ngân, who performed “Song of the Egret” on today’s program, shared her thoughts as follows.

I would like to respectfully greet Supreme Master Ching Hai. Supreme Master Ching Hai is multi-talented and I admire her very much. Master not only loves human beings but also has a very compassionate heart toward animals. I have this great wish to perform and sing for Master.

I’m sincerely grateful to Supreme Master Ching Hai and wish Master abounding health and happiness. After reading the book “The Birds in My Life” written by Supreme Master Ching Hai, I would like to dedicate to Supreme Master Ching Hai and the viewers of Supreme Master Television a poem recital about God.

My beautiful much loved queen My pure-hearted heavenly being Though this world is not really fit for you To show your love, you have come down. The human race considered blessed That God sends them, among the best You gift this world with your beauty But leave sadness when you’ve gone away! I love you Nova, for as long as I live And forever, forever more. Beyond this illusionary dream We will stay lasting friends.

Thank you for watching today’s program introducing some traditional folk music genres from northern Âu Lạc.

Please tune in to Supreme Master Television for more Aulacese folk music in future broadcasts. Coming up next is Vegetarianism: The Noble Way of Living, after Noteworthy News. So long for now.