Bac Bling – English Lyrics in Poems + Explanation

Translation to English Poems:

I return to my hometown pond,
Clear or murky, it’s still home beyond.
My love for my village, steadfast and true,
Like fire red, like glue for steel,
Fragrance of paddy fields,
Haystacks waving until I’m home

(Ta v? ta t?m ao ta
Dù trong dù ??c ao nhà v?n h?n
Tình quê son s?t keo s?n
H??ng ??ng gió n?i cây r?m ??i ch?)

B?c Ninh cherishes love so deep,
Girls in quai thao hats at the communal yard keep.
The young men turn, take a peep,
B?c Bling Bling—that’s what the cool kids speak.

(B?c Ninh v?n tr?ng ch? tình, nón quai thao em ??i ? sân ?ình
M?y anh hai quay ??u nhìn c?ng ??nh mà các dân ch?i g?i là B?c Bling Bling)

With a faithful heart, we sing quan h? tunes,
Welcome to the land of rivers and boats in bloom.
Our heritage will never fade, it stays local,
Dress up in silk robes, let’s go!

T?m lòng son s?t, ta ngân nga câu quan h? (này)
Chào m?ng v? mi?n ??t b?n n??c và con ?ò
Tinh hoa không th? nào m?t, ch?t ? local
S?a so?n áo the kh?n x?p, anh em cùng lên ?? (let’s go))

Gliding on the river feels like soaring on clouds,
Looking East, then West, as joy rings out loud.
This betel nut, steeped in passion, profound,
Carries our vows in a love tightly bound.

(L??t trên sông nh? là l??t trên mây
Ng??c bên ?ông, xong r?i l?i ng??c bên Tây
Mi?ng tr?u này em ?ã ??p thêm say
Mang l?i h?a trao duyên nh? bao h?n ??c ?êm nay)

Bright like the Lim festival’s full-moon night,
Where can I find you in this soft golden light?
I’m smitten, yet still, I sit in suspense,
Holding this scarf as a token immense.

(Sáng nh? ?êm tr?ng r?m h?i Lim, bi?t em ?âu mà tìm
Trót th??ng em ?âu th? ng?i im, c?m kh?n í a làm tin
Sáng nh? ?êm tr?ng r?m h?i Lim, bi?t em ?âu mà tìm
Trót th??ng em ?âu th? ng?i im, c?m kh?n í a ý a làm tin)

Take a bite of betel, take a bite so fine,
Let it redden your lips, let it redden mine.
Take a bite of betel, build a bridge so divine,
For words left unspoken, for your fate and mine.

(?n m?t mi?ng tr?u, ?n m?t mi?ng tr?u
?n vào cho ?? môi mình, môi ta
?n m?t mi?ng tr?u, b?c m?t chi?c c?u
Bao l?i ch?a ng?, duyên mình, duyên ta)

Come visit B?c Ninh, my dear,
Festivals lively, all year so near.
Pray for fortune at the Lady Temple bright,
Mid-Autumn moon, bask in its light.

M?i anh v? B?c Ninh em ch?i th?m
L? h?i nô n?c ?ông vui quanh n?m
Qua ??n Bà Chúa c?u l?c c?u tài
Sang r?m tháng Tám ung dung ch?i tr?ng

Rowing fast on Nh? Nguy?t’s stream,
History’s heroes, legends supreme.
Tam Ph?, a land so divine,
At the sacred gate, I bow in time.

?ua thuy?n r? sóng trên sông Nh? Nguy?t
Bao s? sách ??a linh nhân ki?t
Tam Ph? ch?n b?ng lai linh thiêng
N??ng nh? c?a thánh con xin cúi ??u

Vietnamese tradition and customs in this video:

The traditional betel quid

This story explains the origin of the traditional betel quid (made of betel leaf, areca nut, and lime), which symbolizes loyalty and love in Vietnamese culture, especially in marriage ceremonies. It’s a poignant tale of devotion and family ties:

Long ago in Vietnam, there lived two brothers, Tân and Lang, who were inseparable. They shared a bond so deep that they couldn’t bear to be apart. But when Tân got married, Lang felt overshadowed and heartbroken. Unable to cope, Lang left home and wandered until he reached a river, where he eventually passed away from sorrow. His body transformed into a limestone rock by the riverbank.

Tân, worried about his brother, set out to find him. When he discovered Lang’s fate, he was overcome with grief and passed away, becoming an areca tree that grew next to the rock. Tân’s wife, unable to bear the loss of her husband and brother-in-law, also passed away at the same spot, turning into a betel vine that wrapped itself around the areca tree and limestone rock.

One day, the Hung King happened upon this site and learned of the tragic tale. Struck by the love, loyalty, and devotion symbolized by the three elements—the rock, the tree, and the vine—he decided to combine them. Chewing the betel leaf with the areca nut and a touch of lime, he found the mixture both flavorful and meaningful. He declared it a symbol of love and unity, and from that day forward, the custom of chewing betel quid became a cherished tradition in Vietnam, especially during weddings and important ceremonies.

Quan h? folk songs

Quan h? folk songs are a cherished form of traditional music originating from the B?c Ninh and B?c Giang provinces of Vietnam. This unique genre is performed in a call-and-response style, often between male and female singers, and is known for its poetic lyrics, emotional melodies, and themes of love, friendship, and longing. Quan h? songs are typically sung during spring festivals, especially in communal houses or by the riverbanks.

This art form was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its cultural importance. Performers wear traditional áo t? thân (four-panel dress) and kh?n m? qu? (crow-beak-shaped headscarves), adding to the charm of the performances.

Lim festival

The Lim Festival is a vibrant and culturally rich event held annually in Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam, typically on the 12th and 15th days of the first lunar month. This festival is a celebration of Quan h? folk singing, a UNESCO-recognized art form, and is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Kinh Bac region.

During the festival, visitors can enjoy captivating Quan h? performances, where male and female singers engage in poetic call-and-response duets. These performances take place in various settings, such as communal houses, pagodas, and even on boats along the waterways. The singers wear traditional attire, adding to the charm of the event.

In addition to the music, the Lim Festival features colorful processions, traditional games like human chess and tug-of-war, and delicious local food.