Tran Tien 'my time'

In the book "Tran Tien - The Man Who Sings His Own Poetry," the literature and lyrics of musician Tran Tien captivate the reader. He himself says he dedicates the entire book to reminiscing about "my time."

Tran Tien with his husband signing books for the audience - Photo: TTD

The book "Tran Tien - The Singer of His Own Poetry - Songs & Stories " is a special anthology, the first to systematically present Tran Tien's creative world in the form of music and prose. The book is not simply a collection of songs, but a spiritual portrait of a wandering minstrel artist who lived and wrote entirely for "my time."

"What are you laughing at, kid? Laughing at my time?"

"In my time, there was war, poverty, and ignorance. No one wrote music to sell; if they did, no one would buy it. Writing was just a matter of fate, a calling. You couldn't pursue any other profession. So you diligently wrote, hungry but dignified, living on a state salary, on ration coupons from the subsidy era. It was miserable but joyful. However, my 'self' was almost destroyed. Proof of this is the lack of anthologies, albums, and concerts for the living, only for the deceased."

In the book's preface, Tran Tien writes about "my time." He graduated from the conservatory after the war ended, and faced with both destruction and reconstruction, he chose a path that suited him: traveling with friends like Ngoc Tan, Quang Ly, Y Moan, Si Thanh... singing his own music. And now, he thinks that "my time" has passed.

It wasn't until recent years, when director Lan Nguyen's documentary about his life was released, that he witnessed "children born in 1990" watching and applauding enthusiastically. Or at the 2023 " Half a Century of Wandering " concert, a boy born in 2006 who couldn't afford a ticket was kindly allowed in by the organizers. He smiled happily. "What was he smiling about? My time?" - Tran Tien recalled and wondered.

One day, he felt that "his time" still remained. Some relatives living around him encouraged him to release an album or a collection to leave behind for posterity. They said that so many beautiful songs were only sung orally, never written down, and therefore could be lost forever.

"And I have almost a hundred more poems that I brought along for the worms and insects to listen to!" he wrote. Therefore, he published this book, compiled by writer Ho Anh Thai from letters and impromptu writings he himself had written.

In particular, Part 2, "Songs & Stories," in the book includes 108 songs with accurately rewritten lyrics, representing typical compositions spanning various periods, from wartime and the subsidy era to contemporary life. The fact that Tran Tien's songs are published in official versions with accurate lyrics is of great significance to his music lovers and the singers who often perform his songs.

Tran Tien and the "country folk singers" of those days - Archival photo

The reader is captivated.

Tran Tien's lyrics—as writer Ho Anh Thai observed—carry a weight that "even leading poets would find admirable." It's a language that is both simple and powerful, free yet full of humanity, where poetry and music blend into one, neither for propaganda nor for commercial gain. As for the music itself, Ho Anh Thai believes Tran Tien has reached an even greater level.

In the book, Ho Anh Thai further commented: "Tran Tien's writing can also captivate readers. That's why I compiled the prose he wrote that I found interesting into this anthology. I'm sure many readers will enjoy Tran Tien's writing, as much as they enjoy his songs that harmoniously blend poetry and music. Tran Tien's prose doesn't need anyone else to write it; it's only good when he writes it himself. But I also included a couple of articles recorded by reporters. The recordings are by reporters, but the tone and style of the narrative are distinctly Tran Tien's."

Young designer Duy Dao, a Grammy nominee from the American Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, was responsible for the book's design. He is exactly four decades younger than musician Tran Tien, but their forms of address are quite varied: when drunk, they're "brother" and "sister," when teaching, they're "uncle" and "nephew," and most affectionately, when happy, they're "an old pig and a little piglet."

Besides the composer's songs and lyrics, this book contains hundreds of photographs and many previously unpublished documents. Tran Tien himself may not even remember all these moments from his life. Duy Dao quotes composer Tran Tien as saying to young artists: "My later years are fortunate, so I have you all to help me."

Five sketches of Tran Tien's portrait.

In the multifaceted self-portrait he created in the book, musician Tran Tien "paints" himself with five unique strokes.

Firstly, they are inherently farmers, who love hard work and dislike extravagance and luxury.

Secondly, being from a wealthy family, they are arrogant and do not tolerate anyone daring to be disrespectful or look down on them.

My father is inherently Buddhist, compassionate towards the weak and downtrodden; he doesn't like socializing but opens his heart to anyone who loves him.

Four is a wanderer, who loves nature and pristine, wild people, and enjoys being one with the sacred universe.

The year is "a wild boar that despises elephants and tigers. It slowly searches for a nonexistent leaf, a nonexistent maiden, a nonexistent place of peace."

The notes in Tran Tien's chapter "Daily Thoughts" are also very worthwhile reading in this book. Although described as "random thoughts," they are all reflections and philosophical insights he has distilled.

Or the "Improvisations" chapter also consists of longer notes, beginning with "Let Tiến tell you about it...".

These are stories from the distant past, about childhood, about Hanoi , about his mother, about the time when he first started singing, about memories with his older brother Trinh Cong Son, about the song "Homeland " ("Ah ơi. Flowers fly to the sky, what trees remain? Ah ơi. Mustard flowers fly to the sky, coriander remains... enduring life's bitterness.") And accompanying it is the confession: "I have two homelands. I can never sing the song I wrote about my own homeland. Every time I sing it, I cry."

The musician told the press at the book launch in Ho Chi Minh City on January 23rd: "I will continue writing for another 100 years. I'm at an age where I can eat, sleep, and love. I will continue writing, but if tomorrow fate tells me to depart with the 'birds of the sky,' then I will depart."

My time is over. The singers of my era who helped me successfully bring my songs to the public have now passed away. I remain with over a hundred songs dedicated to my contemporaries, now as old as I am. It's as if we're all standing on the edge of an abyss, waiting for the whirlwind of time to sweep them away, or for these songs to evoke memories of a bitter and unfortunate past. My time is over.

Composer TRAN TIEN

Tran Tien and his wife enjoy a peaceful old age.

Teacher Bich Nga, wife of musician Tran Tien - Photo: MI LY

Mrs. Bich Nga, wife of musician Tran Tien, told Tuoi Tre newspaper about their current life in Vung Tau. Their youngest daughter and her husband have moved in with them, and their grandchild is their greatest joy. Every day, they are happiest when they take their grandchild to and from school. Their old age is peaceful; they often exercise. Tran Tien still works daily, and if he feels well, he records in his small family studio and exercises.

Five years after the musician began his cancer treatment, his health has improved significantly. He continues to exercise to maintain his health so he can continue composing and bringing joy to others.

MI LY

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tran-tien-cai-thoi-cua-toi-20260123231430886.htm