"The Love Song of a Madman"

Trinh Cong Son was an all around venerable artist -- composer, musician, singer, painter, songwriter and probably a winner of hearts if you consider that art.  Joan Baez dubbed him the "Bob Dylan of Vietnam"  in the '60s, but Trinh was more Baez than Dylan when it comes to his outward political opinions and huge canon of antiwar songs. Writing music that damned the war and bemoaned the ill fate that fell upon the Vietnamese people, he was disliked by both northern and southern military regimes.

Sent from a friend in NYC, this track popped into my inbox and has been in the frequently played list. The singer, Khanh Ly perhaps, is one of the gals that often collaborated with him. Her crooning is what makes this song in my opinion, but the lyrics are so real they warrant a read; they caught me by surprise after naively listening to the melody for the past week.   

This acoustic version available for download here is nothing like the jazzy pop version available on the unofficial website. The name of it in Vietnamese is "Tinh Ca Nguoi Mat Tri." 

Thanks to dear Kim Bui for the put on and this cat, Frank, for the translation. Oh, and a special mention to this music lover for teaching me how to cheat intellectual property rights which have yet to hit this side of the pond. Actually, Trinh's estate and family are currently embroiled in a legal battle to gain the rights in order to receive royalties from his music.   

"The Love Song of a Madman"

by Trịnh Công Sơn

(Translated by Frank Duong, Vu Thanh)

I had a lover died in Pleime battle
I had a lover died in D base
died in the battle of Dong Xoai
died out there, Ha Noi
died in haste along the border

I had a lover died in Chu Bruang battle
I had a lover whose body was floating on river
died in a paddy field
died in a thick jungle
died coldly, his body charred

I want to love you, love Viet Nam 
On a windy day, I go and call quietly
Call your name, name Viet Nam
closer in the voice of the yellow skin

I want to love you, love Viet Nam 
Pubertal age, ears got used to bullets and mines
My hands hold my lips
From now I forget all human sound

I had a lover died in Ashau battle
I had a lover died and lay twistedly
died in a ravine
died under a bridge
died strangledly, without a rag

I had a lover died in Baza battle
I had a lover just died last night
died all accidentally
died without dating
no hatred, lay as in dream

I want to love you, love Viet Nam 
On a windy day, I go and call quietly
Call your name, name Viet Nam
closer in the voice of the yellow skin

I want to love you, love Viet Nam 
Pubertal age, ears got used to bullets and mines
My hands hold my lips
From now I forget all human sound

I had a lover died in Ashau battle
I had a lover died and lay twistedly
died in a ravine
died under a bridge
died strangledly, without a rag

I had a lover died in Baza battle
I had a lover just died last night
died all accidentally
died without dating
no hatred, lay as in dream

Died without dating
no hatred, lay as in dream

Died without dating
no hatred, lay as in dream