Lullabies of Canh Duong village

Việt Nam•17/03/2024

(QBĐT) - Among the various forms of folk literature, lullabies can be considered one of the earliest. These are gentle songs whose lyrics are taken from folk poetry forms such as: folk songs, nursery rhymes, chants, and verses; six-eight meter poems, and Nôm stories written in the six-eight meter; sometimes they are improvised by the singer… to help the child easily fall asleep. Lullabies combine lyrics with melody, rhythm, and vocal quality. The melody, rhythm, and tone are usually simple, aiming for a melodious, soothing, and pleasant sound.

In times when communication methods were not as developed as in the past, lullabies were used to express feelings, confide, and convey emotions. Grandmothers used lullabies to confide in their children and grandchildren, mothers used lullabies to educate their children, and wives used lullabies to express unspoken feelings to their husbands… In modern life, preserving and promoting lullabies is no easy task. These lullabies are in danger of gradually disappearing.

Cảnh Dương village (Quảng Trạch district) is a land of "spiritual and talented people." The people of Cảnh Dương have a distinctive and easily recognizable accent. This contributes to the unique character of lullabies in this rural area. Like other regions, Cảnh Dương lullabies have been formed and developed since the village's founding. The lyrics largely originate from folk songs, lục bát poetry, and narrative poems written in the lục bát style, which have been widely passed down from generation to generation.

Therefore, in the lullaby repertoire of Canh Duong, we find many familiar folk songs, six-eight syllable poems, and six-eight syllable narrative poems. Although the number of lullabies composed by the people of Canh Duong is not large, it is very important. It contributes to the unique characteristics of Canh Duong lullabies. Even familiar lullabies are adapted and sung by the people of Canh Duong with their own unique voices, intonations, melodies, and accompaniments, creating a unique style unlike any other locality or region.

For example, the lullaby: "Every evening I stand by the riverbank/Wanting to visit my mother but there's no ferry," sung by the people of Canh Duong, sounds very unique because of its high-pitched voice compared to other localities, and the inclusion of filler words like "Ho he ho he," "bon bon bon," harmonizing with the rhythm of the hammock and the waves.

Because it is a coastal area and primarily a fishing village, the lullabies of Cảnh Dương, as well as other coastal villages, are largely related to fishing. Many of Cảnh Dương's lullabies address marital affection, romantic love, and are often associated with offshore fishing. This reflects the feelings of Cảnh Dương women towards their husbands or lovers fishing at sea: "Looking out at the hazy sea / Seeing you fishing with your nets, I feel so much affection ." The lullabies are not flowery or ornate; they are sincere, simple, and full of emotion. Only those who deeply understand and empathize with the circumstances of couples and young lovers separated by distance can truly share the feelings of those who are separated: "Yesterday you rested your head on her arm / Today you rest your head on the anchor rope at sea ."

Illustration: Minh Quy — *Illustration:* **Minh Quy**

The contrast between "yesterday" and "today ," between " her arm as a pillow " and " the anchor rope as a pillow, " evokes feelings of sadness and compassion in the listener. Because of the lack of affection due to constant separation, the wives of the villagers of Cảnh Dương often prayed: "May the east wind blow / So that the boats can sail, and my husband can come ashore ." Each time: "Leaving from Cảnh Dương / The more I miss him, the more my heart aches ."

The women of Cảnh Dương deeply understood the arduous work of their husbands and lovers: "The husband rows alone / Who will bail water for him? " They longed to live together, relying on each other: "The husband fishes, the wife casts the line / They live together day after day on the river and sea ." Through these lullabies, we understand the difficult circumstances of the people of Cảnh Dương coastal village in the past: " In March, my dear / Save some of your own money and hide it from your mother to support me; Going fishing, I'm afraid of losing the bait / At home, the children are hungry, I can't sit still ."

Despite this, they always yearn for marital happiness: "A few words for you, my love: When the fish bite, reel them in, don't let them linger." They are full of courage and confidence: "My efforts have been rewarded: If not shrimp, then prawns; if not mussels, then crabs." It is thanks to this belief that they overcome circumstances, overcome fate, and maintain their family life from generation to generation. Moreover, they always find joy in their work.

Among the lullabies of Cảnh Dương, there is a rather unique one: "One night with five or seven maids / Is not equal to a fish biting the hook and bending the rod ." The folk authors use witty and clever comparisons, expressing the optimistic and life-loving spirit of the working people. This is a genuine pleasure for those who go fishing. The six consecutive "C" consonants in the second line: "The-fish-bites-the-hook-and-bends-the-rod" make the listener feel as if they can see the bend of the fishing rod right before their eyes.

The villagers of Cảnh Dương encourage each other: "If you want to catch a sủ fish, you need three poles/There's no shortage of other fish in the Roòn River ." As far as I know, the sủ fish is a saltwater fish that lays its eggs in brackish water (river mouths), grows in freshwater for the first 1-2 years of its life, and then returns to saltwater. Some sủ fish are nearly 2 meters long and weigh over 160 kg. Therefore, it takes "three poles" and six people to carry it. It's a rare and precious species, usually living under coral reefs. Sadly, the coral reefs in Cảnh Dương are gone, and the sủ fish have disappeared. The name sủ fish only remains in the treasure trove of Cảnh Dương lullabies.

As a child, I heard my grandmother lull my younger brother to sleep in a hammock: "Every evening, Mr. Doi goes fishing / With a bucket, a cup, and a gourd on his back ." In Hue, I heard it again: "Every evening, Mr. Ngu goes fishing / With a bucket, a cup, and a gourd on his back ." Listening to the lullabies of Canh Duong, I also discovered a similar one: "Every evening, Mr. Dui goes fishing / With a bucket, a cup, and a gourd on his back ." This is a common phenomenon in the lyrics of many lullabies from different localities and regions. Most of the lullaby lyrics have existed since time immemorial; the grandmothers, mothers, and sisters only change the names of the fishermen to suit their local context. Because, almost every village has these peculiar "Mr. Doi," "Mr. Ngu," and "Mr. Dui" figures. These men go fishing without carrying fishing rods, bait, or baskets, but instead carry "a bucket, a cup, and a gourd on their backs."

With such lyrics, it's difficult to verify the origin of lullabies. However, the people of Cảnh Dương village didn't settle for the existing formula but boldly created and adapted it into: "Every evening, Mr. Lữ goes fishing / Mrs. Lữ goes scooping, daughter-in-law goes searching ." Mr. Lữ goes fishing for real (unlike Mr. Đội, Mr. Ngự, and Mr. Đũi, who mainly seek leisurely pleasures). Along with Mr. Lữ, there's "Mrs. Lữ scooping " and " daughter-in-law searching." This novelty and creativity are hard to find in lullabies in the local area or other coastal villages.

Cảnh Dương lullabies are an invaluable source of spiritual nourishment. On November 10, 2023, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued Decision No. 3427/QD-BVHTTDL announcing the list of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Cảnh Dương lullabies were officially included in the list. Mr. Tran Quang Binh (former lecturer at the Binh Tri Thien School for Educational Management Cadres; lecturer and Head of the Department of Educational Management at Thua Thien-Hue College of Education) - a son of Cảnh Dương village with a deep love and dedication to his homeland - is devoting much effort to collecting and compiling the work "Cảnh Dương Lullabies" - a truly meaningful endeavor.

Mai Van Hoan

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