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. 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 others 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.

When in love, it matters not how much hardship lovers must go through, they remain devoted to each other.

“Having tied an earthly bond, we’d tread up hill and down dale, all for devotion and love.” We now invite you to enjoy the song “If You Go Downstream,” a Quan Họ folk tune from Bắc Ninh, northern Âu Lạc, performed by Thúy Hường.

Having tied an earthly bond, we’d tread up hill and down dale, all for devotion and love. If you go downstream, may I send a few words? Please ask Hai to board a boat and sail eastward. Minding not the hardships I tread up hill, then down dale. O Hai! Minding not the hardships I tread up hill, then down dale. Treading up hill and down dale, I wouldn’t mind at all. If we love each other, knock on the door. Knock on the door and greet, O Ba! If we love each other, knock on the door. Knock on the door and greet.

I’m a young woman, a charming maiden. If we love each other, it matters not if we don a hat or an umbrella. O Tư, if we love each other, it matters not if we don a hat or an umbrella. If we aren’t meant for each other, I’ll accept my fate uncomplainingly. But if we love each other, it matters not if we wear stone or gold. O Năm, if we love each other, it matters not if we wear stone or gold.

Butterflies make a flower garden more colorful; flowers give butterflies more joy. Love for one another and for nature weave the melodies of peace and happiness.

“Here’s a fragrant flower A playful butterfly wanders about” We now invite you to enjoy “Fragrant Flower, Playful Butterfly,” a folk tune from northern Âu Lạc, with vocal performance by Minh Lý.

Here’s a fragrant flower A playful butterfly wanders about A playful butterfly wanders about looking for love looking for love A butterfly hovers about A butterfly wanders and flies around

We’re in love you offer your shirt you offer your shirt as a token of affection as a token of affection Our shirts, we offer each other Our shirts, we offer each other

The water is emerald clear A fish dives happily A fish swims happily looking for love looking for love A fish dives and swims A fish swims and swims about A fish dives and swims A fish swims and swims about

“Don’t doubt me just because I have many friends. Although I have many friends, I’m still waiting for a good one.” “Having Charm Still,” a Quan Họ folk song from northern Âu Lạc, will be presented today by Mai Phương and Duy Thuận. Please enjoy.

When you still have charm, many wait upon you, but when the charm is gone, you walk alone. Are you available?

I’m still available. I’m not yet betrothed.

And I have no one.

O joyous festival…

When you have charm, you sit under the pine tree. But when the charm is gone, you sit by the rose bush picking flowers.

If you love me, please come by my house, so my parents can know about you, and our wedding date can be chosen.

O joyous festival…

When you still have charm, many wait upon you, but when the charm is gone, you walk alone. Are you available?

I’m still available.

I’m not yet betrothed.

And I have no one.

O joyous festival…

When you still have charm, you sell blossoming flowers. But when the charm is gone, you sit and wait under the banyan tree.

Don’t doubt me just because I have many friends. Although I have many friends, I’m still waiting for a good one.

O joyous festival…

Supreme Master Ching Hai has lovingly sent gifts to the artists contributing to the Aulacese folk music program on Supreme Master Television. Following are the sharing of thoughts and words of thanks to Master.

Singer Mai Phương, who performed the Quan Họ song “Having Charm Still”:

I didn’t expect that someone from very faraway and very noble like Master Ching Hai would think of me. I’m very happy, very touched and very surprised when Master has that deep affection for me. That is the greatest affinity between Master and me. I thank Master Ching Hai very much and will always keep Master in my heart. I’m Mai Phương. Now, I’d like to dedicate an ancient Quan Họ song entitled “Making Acquaintance Lý.” It is a very affectionate song, very much like my getting to know Master Ching Hai today.

A hundred rivers arrive at one bank. If I love you not, why would I be here? O beloved! If I love you not, why would I be here? We’re bound together without string. You and I drain not our glasses, why are we inebriated? O beloved! You and I drain not our glasses, why are we inebriated? Here we meet each other, please enjoy your tea and betels, and tie our love thread. O beloved! Please enjoy your tea and betels, and tie our love thread.

I’m very afraid to tie our love thread. I’m afraid that your love has yet to blossom but already set to fade. O beloved! I’m afraid that your love is quick to blossom, yet soon to fade. Who knows the humor of the heart? Devoted to our marriage, we’re determined to stay in love. O beloved! Devoted to our marriage, we’re determined to stay in love.

It’s the first time I learned of Master Ching Hai. I’m truly touched by what Master has done for the world. I very much appreciate and revere Master. I hope that in my life, I will meet Master in person at least once, and sing for Master. I’d like to wish Master good health and success. I’m very grateful to Master.

Singer Minh Lý, who performed the song “Fragrant Flower, Playful Butterfly”:

I’d like to send Supreme Master Ching Hai my most respectful greetings. Although I haven’t yet met Supreme Master Ching Hai, I truly have great respect for a lady who is so generous and compassionate. Seeing Master’s humanitarian works, I feel so touched. If all the Aulacese, if everyone in the world, thinks a little like Master does, then this life will be much more beautiful. Her compassion is too great, it’s indescribable.

Deep within, I esteem Master so much. Nothing is happier than being able to sing for the viewers of Supreme Master Television. I can say that it is my greatest honor, and perhaps is a great impression unforgettable in my artistic career. May Supreme Master Ching Hai always be in good health. My sincere gratitude to Master. Singer Thúy Hường, who has participated before in Aulacese folk music programs on Supreme Master Television, also received gifts and well-wishes from Supreme Master Ching Hai.

Thank you for watching today’s program on northern Aulacese folk music genres. Please stay tuned to Supreme Master Television for other folk music programs in future broadcasts; coming up next is Vegetarianism: The Noble Way of Living, after Noteworthy News. So long for now.