Trích đoạn Công Chúa Đồ Lư (La Thông Tảo Bắc) – Bilingual Lyrics Vietnamese/English

• By: Ns Tài Linh, Ns Vũ Linh

Lyrics & Translation

*Cải lương*, with its blend of spoken dialogue and soulful *vọng cổ* singing, offers a unique window into Vietnamese culture and language. This excerpt, performed by legendary artists Ns Tài Linh and Ns Vũ Linh, is a prime example of *tuồng cổ* (ancient play) that draws from rich historical narratives, making it an excellent piece to understand dramatic expression and traditional storytelling in Vietnamese.

[English]

Huh?

La Thông, why are you saying such strange things?

Carrying grievances until death that never fade, pitying La Nhơn whose body is ruined on the battlefield.

Holding deep resentment that never fades, not forming affection with the enemy.

The names Đồ Lư and La Thông buried, with little hope of meeting again.

With that determined heart, intending to surrender to the Phiên army, why bring unjust trouble to the beautiful face?

Forgetting deep hatred, mistakenly causing us to bond our hearts.

Beautiful face, despised for all time.

La Thông!!!

I swear not to associate with you!

[Vietnamese]

Hả?

La Thông, chàng nói gì lạ thế?

Đeo oan trái đến chết chưa bao giờ dứt tan, xót bấy La Nhơn nơi sa trường tấm thân tàn.

Ghi hờn căm chẳng phai không nên tình với quân thù.

Tên Đồ Lư với La Thông vùi chôn khó mong tương phùng.

Tâm tin đó quyết chí trao thơ hàng nước Phiên, lí đâu oan khiên gieo phiền đến cho nhan hồng?

Quên thù thâm lỡ gây cho đôi mình kết tâm đồng.

Hồng nhan gớm ghê muôn đời chán chê.

La Thông!!!

Thề không kết giao với mi!

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
lạ /læ/ A2	adjective - strange, unusual
đau /đau/ A2	verb - to hurt, to feel pain
thân /θən/ A1	noun - body, form
nhân /nhân/ B1	noun - person, human
thề /θɛ/ B1	verb - to swear, to pledge
tâm /tâm/ A2	noun - heart, mind
quân /kwân/ B2	noun - army, military
tương /tương/ B2	adjective - mutual, reciprocal
gai /ɡai/ B1	noun - thorn, prick
phiền /phiền/ B1	verb - to bother, to trouble
gớm /ɡɒm/ B2	adjective - frightening, terrible
mình /mɪn/ A1	pronoun - oneself, oneself
kết /kɛt/ B1	verb - to tie, to connect
tình /tɪŋ/ B1	noun - love, affection

Key Grammar Structures

• Đeo oan trái đến chết chưa bao giờ dứt tan

  ➔ Use of the past continuous tense with 'chưa bao giờ' to express an action that has never been completed.

  ➔ The phrase 'chưa bao giờ dứt tan' highlights the continuous nature of the grievance, emphasizing it has never resolved.

• Ghi hờn căm chẳng phai không nên tình với quân thù

  ➔ Use of the present tense with 'chẳng phai' to express a lasting emotion that does not fade.

  ➔ The phrase 'chẳng phai' emphasizes that the hatred remains unchanged and prevents any relationship with the enemy.

• Tâm tin đó quyết chí trao thơ hàng nước Phiên

  ➔ Use of the demonstrative pronoun 'đó' to refer to a previously mentioned idea, and 'quyết chí' to express strong determination.

  ➔ The word 'đó' points back to the previous resolve, and 'quyết chí' underscores the unwavering commitment to the action.

• Hồng nhan gớm ghê muôn đời chán chê

  ➔ Use of the adverbial phrase 'muôn đời' to express an action or state that lasts forever.

  ➔ The phrase 'muôn đời' emphasizes the eternal nature of the disdain for the 'hồng nhan' (beautiful woman).

• Thề không kết giao với mi!

  ➔ Use of the emphatic 'thề' to express a strong oath or vow, and the negative 'không' to deny an action.

  ➔ The word 'thề' adds intensity to the vow, and 'không' clearly denies any association with the addressed person.