The story behind the song "The Country is Filled with Joy"

That's the heartfelt sharing of composer Hoang Ha about the song "The Country's Complete Joy" - one of the songs considered a masterpiece about the historical moment of the country's complete reunification, the nation united as one.

Composer Hoang Ha at the 30th anniversary program of the Voice of Vietnam Symphony Orchestra . (Archival photo)

According to composer Hoang Ha, the song "The Country's Complete Joy" was written, composed, and recorded in just one day and night (April 26, 1975), four days before the complete reunification of the country. “ At that time, I had never been to the South, I didn't know what Saigon was like. From mid-April onwards, the atmosphere in Hanoi around me was very vibrant… news of victory poured in daily. In the radio station, everyone was excited and thrilled. The atmosphere in Hanoi during that historic period was brimming with determination and unwavering belief in victory, ” the author of the song “The Country's Complete Joy” recalled.

"Just the word 'complete' in the song's title fills me with immense admiration for my father. Having lived under American bombs, with shrapnel embedded in my pillow like my family did that night in Hanoi, I truly understand the meaning of 'complete' in that complete joy! Before that, the North was living in peace , everyone felt happy and confident, but the true, profound joy only came on April 30, 1975, when the South was completely liberated and the country unified." - Musician and Meritorious Artist Hoang Luong, son of composer Hoang Ha, shared.

According to the talented musician, the greatest inspiration for him to write the song "The Country's Complete Joy" was the event of our army beginning the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, liberating Saigon. “ On the morning of April 26th, through CP90, news about our troops surrounding Saigon from all sides, preparing to attack, gave me a strange source of encouragement. Now we were about to enter Saigon. I had to write immediately to be ready in time. So many images and ideas flashed through my mind, intertwining and rushing, but none of them ‘stood still’ .”

"In that moment of excitement, a very short news item on the radio suddenly became incredibly important to me: The campaign to liberate Saigon was named the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, " composer Hoang Ha shared with the press.

According to the musician, " to achieve such a 'Country of Complete Joy' is the result of a long process of accumulation, starting from the Tet Offensive of 1968, or even earlier. Many factors gradually combined and then erupted at a certain point ." " The images of the time I followed the army to take over Hanoi (October 1954) with its sea of ​​flags and bustling crowds are recreated like a sharp documentary film. Saigon bursts into my mind like a vivid illusion with the stories I heard, the courageous heroes, the pathetic Saigon army officers I met, memories of victorious anti-raid battles, of the day the capital was liberated... " - musician Hoang Ha explains what helped him to so fully express the jubilant atmosphere of the day the country was reunified.

" Every note, every idea, every word, bursts forth from the depths of my heart, overflowing with joy. ' We walk amidst countless golden stars, a forest of fluttering flags! We hear the resounding voice of Uncle Ho rising from the mountains and rivers... Oh, boundless happiness, sing more, my dear, these words of love! ' The emotions surged to a climax, suddenly bursting forth the Đồng Tháp folk song of the Liberation Army's female performing artist from years ago, a quintessential image of the people of the South that I have always cherished in my heart, soaring high and lifting my soul, intoxicated in the space of the heroic land on the day of complete liberation !" - composer Hoàng Hà revealed.

The lyrics and melodies evoke a profound sense of pride.

Mothers who contributed to the revolution, representing the "long-haired army" on liberation day. Photo: VNA archives.

The song was written by the composer with a premonition, but also with the absolute faith of all Vietnamese people during those historic days.

According to composer Hoang Ha, on the morning of April 27th, he brought the song, which he had completed the night before, to the radio station. Composer Nguyen An, who was then the head of the music editing team, read and approved it, then immediately handed it over to composer Trieu Dang to arrange it in time. The very next day, during a recording session with the Symphony Orchestra, artist Trung Kien—later People's Artist Trung Kien—was the first singer to perform the song.

“ I was so impressed by Trung Kien's performance; how could he have such empathy! His emotions in his singing truly gave wings to my song, perfectly capturing my vision of a glorious day of liberation in the South, pouring my vibrant feelings into every note, ” the composer expressed his feelings after listening to artist Trung Kien's performance during the first recording session. Later, for him, artist Trung Kien always remained the one who best and most emotionally performed "The Country Full of Joy."

The song was first broadcast on Liberation Radio on May 1, 1975, accompanied by cheers and singing along from the people celebrating the victory.

“ We walk amidst countless golden stars, with flags fluttering in the wind! (…) We hear the resounding voice of Uncle Ho rising from the mountains and rivers / How exhilarating today, Uncle Ho rejoices with the people's gathering / O Thanh Dong! The unwavering loyalty has resounded with triumph / Oh, boundless happiness, sing more, my dear, these words of love ." Even today, 49 years after "The Nation's Complete Joy" was written, these vibrant lyrics and melodies still stir the hearts of Vietnamese people, especially when this triumphant song is sung during the historic month of April.

HN. (Compilation)

Composer Hoàng Hà, whose real name was Hoàng Phi Hồng, was born on December 1, 1929, in Tây Hồ, Hanoi. He was also known by his stage name Cẩm La. He joined the revolutionary movement at the age of 16 and began composing in 1945. He is the author of many famous songs, such as: "Lights on Việt Trì Bridge"; "The Song of the Communist Saturday"; "Meeting on the Trường Sơn Peak"; "Borrowing Song"; "Marching Together in Spring"; "The Country Full of Joy"; and the choral symphony: "Côn Đảo"...

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/dat-nuoc-tron-niem-vui-hanh-phuc-vo-bien-ngay-non-song-anh-hung-hoan-toan-giai-phong-post293694.html