Translated into English from Mua Dong Binh
Si, a Vietnamese song, composed by Phan Huynh Dieu (1924-
2015) during the First Viet Nam War (1945- 1954).
Phan Huynh Dieu was born in Tourane (Da Nang) in 1924 and
died in Ho Chi Minh City (Sai Gon) in 2015.
DAVID LAN PHAM, F.A.B.I
The wind gets frostier and frostier in winter.
Stopping flying, the birds look at the rain and the wind with
horror.
In the distance, in the border areas
Bearing arms, many warriors miss their countryside sadly.
*
The wind howls. What a frosty wind!
The warriors are in the battle fields.
The hibernal rain follows the frosty wind
Whistling sadly on the leaves and branches.
Sorrow stretches here and there, dear warriors.
*
Well fed and warmly clothed people!
Do you see in the remote areas
A group of brave warriors defending the border areas, facing
frost and homesickness?
Seeing the example of their self- sacrifice
We feel anguish,
And love those heroic people in the faraway areas.
*
The mountainous areas are bumpy with gusty winds.
Thousands of the Viet warriors are exposed to the rain and
the howling wind.
Alternate chants resound on the abrupt paths on the side of
a high mountain in frosty winter.
Our military troops are not scared of frosty weather.
The chilly storm paralyzes their hearts.
They brave the rain, the wind with enthusiasm.
They swear to protect their countrymen with their sacred
swords.
Exposed to the rain, crossing the wind they slight their
death.
*
You, well fed and warmly clothed people, must be grateful to
the warriors’ services.
They face frosty winter and homesickness in the border
areas.
Thanks to the wind reducing its plaintive whistle
We pay more love to those people in the remote areas.
