Dạ cổ hoài lang

Dạ cổ hoài lang (, "Night Drum Beats Cause Longing for Absent Husband", Chữ Hán: 夜鼓怀郎 ) is a Vietnamese song, composed circa 1918 by songwriter Cao Văn Lầu, colloquially known as "Sáu Lầu," from Bạc Liêu. It was a massive hit across Vietnam in 1927 as it was taken up by travelling troupes and spawned many variants, versions and imitators.

The song Dạ cổ hoài lang marked the beginning of the iconic vọng cổ melody, which has become a subgenre on its own within the đờn ca tài tử and cải lương music that for many people Lầu's Dạ cổ hoài lang is still synonymous with vọng cổ.

Lyrics

 * Từ là từ phu tướng
 * Báu ( bảo ) kiếm sắc phán ( phong ) lên đàng
 * Vào ra luống trông tin nhạn
 * Năm canh mơ màng
 * Em luống trông tin chàng
 * Ôi gan vàng thêm đau.
 * Đường dầu ( dù ) sa ong bướm
 * Xin đó đừng phụ nghĩa tào khang
 * Đêm luống trông tin bạn
 * Ngày mỏi mòn như đá Vọng phu
 * Vọng - phu vọng luống trông tin chàng
 * Lòng xin chớ phụ phàng
 * Chàng là chàng có hay
 * Đêm thiếp nằm luống những sầu tây
 * Bao thuở đó đây sum vầy
 * Duyên sắt cầm đừng lợt phai
 * Là nguyện cho chàng
 * Hai chữ an - bình an
 * Trở lại gia đàng
 * Cho én nhạn hiệp đôi.

Literally in English :
 * “Since saying farewell to my husband - an army general,
 * When thou wast given the precious sharp sword to go to the front.
 * I have been walking in and out hoping for a dove swallow to appear,
 * Dreamy through the night.
 * I am longing for any news about thee - my husband,
 * Feeling more painful in the golden liver.
 * Although the road is full of bees and butterflies,
 * Please do not subjugate thy health.
 * The night looks to believe in thee,
 * Every day I stand wearily like "Husband Longing" mound.
 * Hope in thee, and hope to keep trusting thee,
 * Please do not become subordinate.
 * Thou art a good young man,
 * Night and night I lay down in my sorrow.
 * How long ago since we were happily united,
 * Dependent on love, please don't fade.
 * All I pray for thee,
 * Is giving the word "Safety"
 * And I'll see thee soon in our family
 * Let the swallows and terns be united.”

Prelude
This is usually preceded and interspersed by recitative, this is the beginning of the tân cổ version from folk composer vi:Viễn Châu (1924)
 * Mấy cánh mai vàng gởi... gió... xuân
 * Đường xa đã mỏi gót phong trần
 * Bâng khuâng dạo bản đàn năm cũ
 * Một chút ân tình gởi... cố... nhân
 * Several yellow orchid branches I sent... through the spring... breeze
 * The road was too long that worn the heels of the weathered man
 * Marveling I play old year melody
 * A little love sent... to my old... flame.
 * A little love sent... to my old... flame.