Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Happy Mothers' Day.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pAizJWSMqM

You may not be able to see it clearly in the photo. The young mother is pushing a double stroller. We are getting a cold autumn, and she is out shopping with her two kids. Such is what I call a loving mum.

Over at my other blog, I wrote about Mothers' Day. I mentioned a children's song which my mum sang to me, and which I in turn sang to my children. Fellow blogger Jama is not a Chinese, but she has heard this song not knowing the meaning.

Here it is for all the mums of this world, and also those women who can't be mums. I think of my friend Annie. I also think of other bereaved mums, especially those who are mum only to their deceased child.

Shi shang zhi you ma ma hao
you ma de hai zi xiang ge bao.
tou jin ma ma de huai bao
xin fu xiang bu liao.
世上只有妈妈好
有妈的孩子像个宝
投进了妈妈的怀抱
幸福享不了
Mommy's the only dearest in the world
With a mom, you have the most valued treasure.
Jump into mom's heart
and you have endless happiness.
shi shang zhi you ma ma hao
mei ma de hai zi xiang ge cao
li kai ma ma de huai bao
xin fu na li zhao.
世上只有妈妈好
没妈的孩子像根草
离开妈妈的怀抱
幸福哪里找
Mommy's the only dearest in the world
without a mom you are like a piece of grass/straw
away from mom's heart,
where will you find happiness?

http://www.tussah.com/lara/mamasong/index.html

http://music.ibiblio.org/pub/multimedia/chinese-music/Children/KD19.Mama_Is_the_Best.mp3

THE CHAN FAMILY'S VERSION: This is what my mum used to sing to me. and has most meaning.

Shi shang zhi you ma ma hao
you ma de hai zi xiang ge bao.
tou jin ma ma de huai bao
xin fu xiang bu liao

世上只有妈妈好
有妈的孩子像个宝
投进了妈妈的怀抱
幸福享不了

Mommy's the only dearest in the world
Those with mums are like treasures
Run to mum's bosom
you will be so happy

shi shang zhi you ma ma hao
Mei ma de hai zi xiang ge cao
li kai ma ma de huai bao
xin fu na li zhao.
世上只有妈妈好
没妈的孩子像根草
离开妈妈的怀抱
幸福哪里找

Mommy's the only dearest in the world
without a mom you are like a stalk of weed
away from mom's bosom,
where will you find happiness?

Shi shang zhi you ma ma hao
you ma de hai zi bu zhi dou.
Yaw shi ta men zhi dou
mon li yie hui siao.

世上只有媽媽好
有媽的孩子不知道
要是他知道
夢裡也會笑

Mommy's the only dearest in the world
Those with mums don't know
If only they know,
They will smile even in their dreams

Mei yu mama zui ku now
Motherless kids have most worries.

13 comments:

Pete said...

Happy Mothers' Day!

wenn said...

happy mother's day to u!

Elaine Yim said...

This is an extremely touching song for me as I am now a straw, without a mum.

Ann, I'm sure your children will receive endless love from such a loving mom like you. Happy Mother's Day!

Ah Ngao said...

Dear Ann ,i like to wish you... A Very Beautiful and Happy Mother's Day !

LifeRamblings said...

what a wonderful tribute to all mums. Happy Mother's Day!

Marice said...

happy mother's day to you too! :) i better look for a copy of that song :)

Jama said...

Thanks for the translations , Ann, really appreciate it very much.I've sang along when it's shown in tv dramas, or radio,not knowing it's meaning , I just love the beautiful melody and it's so catchy. And guess what, I'm singing it now!

My NS boy gets to go home daily, after the 3 months initial training. Some of his friends have to stay in camp during weekdays. Depends on which camp/ station one is attached to. It will be the usual makan time for us for mother days celebrations, probably just quiet dinner at home.
Happy Mother's day to you Ann.

Unknown said...

Hey! I know that song..we heard it over and over again on the telly or radio when younger...ehem..still young now ok haha! Happy Mother's day Ann..no child will ever know the sacrifice of a mom until they are a parent themselves. That's what my mom used to say..and also what I repeat to my kids all the time..not that they wonder much anyway :(

Anonymous said...

In Spore, when a women passed away , the funeral band likes to play this song, "Shi Sam Zhi Yu Ma Ma hou"

Anonymous said...

This is a very sad song about an orphan child looking for his mum. This song was made popular by famous child actress Siao Fung Fung

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIpUcV7iO4k&feature=related

and the late very talented Teressa Teng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccoAXq2WUBw&feature=related

Anonymous said...

没妈的孩子像根草

when I was little, that grass thing really hit me when my mother explained it to me. I didn't know much of the lyrics but remembered the grass.

She explained that grass is like the grass on the road side. You know, in a Chinese garden, you don't find grass, grass are unwanted, so it's a weed. A weed that nobody wants or cares for.

Ebie said...

Happy Mother's Day Ann. I am not familiar with the song, but I am sure it has touched so many lives.

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