Lập Xuân Phá Tan – Bilingual Lyrics Vietnamese/English

• By: Ha An

Lyrics & Translation

While specific details about the song "Lập Xuân Phá Tan" by Ha An are not readily available, its evocative title, meaning "Start of Spring Shattered," offers a fascinating entry point into the poetic nature of the Vietnamese language. Exploring songs with such titles can help users appreciate the cultural nuances and metaphorical expressions common in Vietnamese music, making it a unique way to engage with the language and its artistic forms.

[English]

In the season of Lập Xuân, break through the barriers.

Skating on ice is a march for the troops.

Even if demonic paths and chaotic martial arts drive you mad, how could anger ever end?

The night wind nudges the plum blossoms to race.

A passerby.

In this mortal world, who among us doesn't leave a trace?

With folded hands, I climb the three thousand steps.

Each step, with reverence.

Offer incense, bow to the Buddha's light.

Long for a tranquil mind, regardless of what lies outside.

Don't worry about right or wrong; let yin and yang light up heaven and earth.

Yin and yang light the heavens and the earth.

With wine in hand, I discuss literature.

The flowers’ splendor suits me.

I have fallen into this vast mortal world.

A mortal who bears this world.

Keep this lamp shining here.

The six senses are already calm.

Do not come close.

Don't misremember.

A mere mortal, not swayed by worldly power.

An old man with snow-white hair.

In the mountains and woods, the secluded man finds peace.

Washing away the dust of worldly life.

Soft drizzle drifts over the mountains.

The serene one pays no mind.

Many, by nature, care about outward status.

Can't take those words as truth.

That arrogant one—what's right or wrong?

With folded hands, I ascend the three thousand steps.

Step by step with reverence.

Offer incense, bow before the Buddha's light.

Long for a tranquil heart, disregard what’s out there.

Don't bother deciding what's right or wrong; let yin and yang light the world.

Yin and yang light up heaven and earth.

With wine in hand, I discuss literature.

The flowers’ splendor suits me.

I have fallen into this vast mortal world.

A mortal who bears this world.

Let the calm of the six senses shine.

Hold fast to the single light.

Do not come near.

Don't misremember.

A mere mortal, not swayed by worldly power.

[Vietnamese]

Trong tiết Lập xuân phá tan

đi băng mông là quân

Dẫu ma đạo loạn vũ si giận dứt sao

Gió đêm qua lê hoa đua

kẻ qua đường

Qua thế trần mấy ai chẳng lưu

Chắp tay ta qua ba ngàn nấc thang

từng bước mang thành kính

Dâng hương, phật quang lạy

mong tịnh tâm, mặc ngoài kia

Hỏi chi định chi, đừng như

âm dương rọi theo trời đất

Mượn rượu luận văn

phong hoa xứng ta

Vốn ta rơi trong muôn dặm thế gian

một kẻ mang phàm thế

Giữ đây ngon đăng

rọi soi lục căn sớm đã tịnh

Chớ nên đến gần

chớ nên nhớ sai

vốn thằng trần chẳng vương

Lão già đầu sương trắng

sơn lâm cư ẩn nhân an

Tẩy rửa phong trần

có mưa phùn núi non

Người thanh tịnh không quan tâm

nhiều, vốn thân thế ngoại

Không thể xem lời

ngông cuồng kia là đúng sai

Chắp tay ta qua ba ngàn nấc thang

từng bước mang thành kính

Dâng hương, phật quang lạy

mong tịnh tâm, mặc ngoài kia

Hỏi chi định chi, đừng như

âm dương rọi theo trời đất

Mượn rượu luận văn

phong hoa xứng ta

Vốn ta rơi trong muôn dặm thế gian

một kẻ mang phàm thế

rọi thanh tịnh nơi lục căn

giữ duy nhất ánh đèn

Chớ nên đến gần

chớ nên nhớ sai

vốn thằng trần chẳng vương

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
phá /fa˧/ A2	verb - to break, to destroy
tan /tan˧/ B1	verb - to disperse, to dissolve
thanh /tʰan˧/ B1	adjective - pure, clear
tịnh /tɪŋ˧/ B2	adjective - pure, serene
phong /fəŋ˧/ B2	noun - wind, style
trần /ʈəŋ˧/ B2	noun - worldly, mortal
thăng /tʰəŋ˧/ B2	verb - to ascend, to rise
lục /luk˧/ C1	noun - six, six senses
quang /kwaŋ˧/ C1	noun - light, radiance
âm /ʔam˧/ B1	noun - yin, negative
dương /zəwŋ˧/ B1	noun - yang, positive
cư /ɣu˧/ B2	verb - to reside, to live
ẩn /ʔən˧/ B2	verb - to hide, to conceal
tẩy /taɪ˧/ B2	verb - to wash away, to cleanse
phù /fu˧/ C1	adjective - light, gentle (e.g., drizzle)
ngông /ŋoŋ˧/ C1	adjective - arrogant, reckless

Key Grammar Structures

• Chắp tay ta qua ba ngàn nấc thang

  ➔ Present tense for habitual actions

  ➔ The phrase 'Chắp tay' indicates a habitual action of prayer or reverence.

• Dẫu ma đạo loạn vũ si giận dứt sao

  ➔ Conditional structure (Dẫu... thì...)

  ➔ 'Dẫu ma đạo...' introduces a condition that reflects on difficulties encountered.

• Giữ đây ngon đăng

  ➔ Imperative form

  ➔ 'Giữ đây' is a command, instructing someone to hold or maintain something.

• mặc ngoài kia

  ➔ Adverbial phrase

  ➔ 'mặc ngoài kia' describes a condition or state outside of the speaker's control.

• Người thanh tịnh không quan tâm

  ➔ Negation structure

  ➔ 'Người thanh tịnh không quan tâm' uses negation to express a lack of concern.

• Hỏi chi định chi

  ➔ Interrogative construction

  ➔ 'Hỏi chi định chi' represents a rhetorical question that challenges certainty.

• Vốn ta rơi trong muôn dặm thế gian

  ➔ Use of 'vốn' to imply inherent nature

  ➔ 'Vốn ta' conveys a sense of belonging to a greater existence.