Tran Bien Ward - the birthplace of 2 famous songs

The birthplace of the song "The Old Road You Walked"

A street located in Ward 1, Thong Nhat Commune, Bien Hoa City (now Tran Bien Commune, Dong Nai Province) is where the song "The Old Road You Walked" was composed.

The lyrics are smooth, profound, and lyrical: "The old path you walked / Your sworn hair gleamed golden / The lane of my soul was filled with sorrow / I wrote wedding poems / Passersby listened…".

That road, in the 1960s, was a soft dirt path. Along the sides were rows of lush green grass. The rice fields on either side shimmered like a painted picture. Tall trees cast shade, rustling in the wind. This very poetic road inspired the poet Ho Dinh Phuong to compose the poem "The Old Road You Walked," which was later set to music by composer Chau Ky.

The old road I walked still bears the imprint of two lovers deeply in love. It also bears the daily footprints of Mrs. Kha Thi Vang, an accountant at the Tan Mai Paper Mill. It is known that she was a cousin of engineer Kha Van Can, a revolutionary figure. A street in Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, is named after Mr. Kha Van Can.

Every time he saw Mrs. Kha Thi Vang walking along the small, shady road rustling in the wind, the poet Ho Dinh Phuong would dreamily say: "The old road you used to walk." Composer Chau Ky and poet Ho Dinh Phuong were close friends. Mrs. Kha Thi Vang was the wife of composer Chau Ky.

Around 1967-1968, the song "The Old Path You Walked" was born – a lyrical song with a bolero melody. Its inspiring lyrics touched many hearts. The song concludes with lines that left a lasting impression: "...Time may forget nothing / The worn stones still record / Record a moonlit night / The roadside inn is deserted / Only you and I remain."

Singer Chế Linh and musician Bằng Giang once lived and worked at the Bửu Long quarry (now the Bửu Long Tourist Area, Trấn Biên Ward, Đồng Nai Province). Chế Linh worked as a truck driver transporting stones for the Bửu Long quarry. He and musician Bằng Giang collaborated on many songs during the 1960s and 1967.

The song "The Old Path You Walked" has stood the test of time for over 60 years, yet it still touches the hearts of many. The song possesses immense vitality and continues to receive the affection of many listeners in music programs, and has become ingrained in the minds, memories, and music players of many.

The surprising story behind the creation of the song "Sad Night in a Remote Town"

Singer Tú Nhi (real name Trà Len), stage name Chế Linh, once visited Long Khánh (Đồng Nai province) - a land rich in sweet and fragrant fruits. However, he heard a friend recount a sad story of being separated from his lover.

On his way back to the Buu Long area (now Tran Bien ward), he stopped at a tea shop. It was dark and a light rain was falling, which moved him to recall the story of a long-distance love affair and the longing for a lover that his friend had shared when they met in Long Khanh. He wrote the lyrics for the song "Sad Night in a Remote Town," beginning with the line: "It's been a long time since the two of us have been separated." A very simple, rustic lyric.

In a mood of sadness and empathy for his friend, he continued writing: "Is the thread of our past love still there or gone? Oh, school, is my friend still studying here? Or did she leave long ago...?"

The emotional impact of a long-distance relationship and the longing evoke poignant feelings of heartache and nostalgia in the song.

The song, set to music by composer Bang Giang, tells the story of a couple separated by distance, and its lyrics resonate deeply with listeners, evoking feelings of longing and yearning for a loved one. Created in the 1960s, the song was well-received and loved by many. Even today, it remains popular and has stood the test of time.

Vu Duc Vinh

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/van-hoa/202510/phuong-tran-bien-noi-ra-doi-2-ca-khuc-noi-tieng-ba43f4f/