High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a music video called “My Ancestors” by young Tibetan singer Tsering Dhondup from Rebkong in Amdo.
“My Ancestors” came out a few months ago, probably as part of a new album by Tsering Dhondup. It can be viewed on video hosting sites both within China such as Youku as well as on YouTube and it is an unusual and creative music video, employing the use of modern special effects and video animation. The video was also subtitled both in Tibetan and Chinese originally.
The song is about the three “sons” of Tibet, each one described in a verse. From the descriptions in the lyrics, the “sons” could be interpreted as the Dalai Lama, “the wise son” who “has travelled across nations”, the Karmapa and the Panchen Lama, the “son” who “stayed behind”. Tsering Dhondup also places importance on remembering ones ancestors.
This is the 52nd Tibetan music video translated by High Peaks Pure Earth since the Wednesday music video series started towards the end of 2012. Please go back and watch our other videos using this link: http://highpeakspureearth.com/category/music-from-tibet/
Below are the subtitled music video and translated lyrics of “My Ancestors”:
“My Ancestors” By Tsering Dhondup from HPeaks on Vimeo.
“My Ancestors”
By Tsering Dhondup
Lyrics: Gangpal
Melody: Tsering Dhondup
Singer: Tsering Dhondup
A son was born to my Tibet
The wise son has travelled across nations
The golden wisdom permeates
Look, he is renowned all over the world
Sons of the Snowland
Masters of the Snowland
Sons of the Snowland
Masters of the Snowland
Don’t forget your ancestors
Keep them in your heart
Camera: Amchok and Gyasa Takthar Gyal
Editor: Amchok
A son was born to my Tibet
The courageous son has entered into a war
Great enemies are turned into allies
Look, he holds the wheel of the earth
Sons of the Snowland
Masters of the Snowland
Sons of the Snowland
Masters of the Snowland
Don’t forget your ancestors
Keep them in your heart
Choreographer: Amchok
Music: Xu Wenchun
A son was born to my Tibet
The tolerant son has stayed behind
Joy of the three provinces of Tibet is summoned
Look, his fame is known in the world
Sons of the Snowland
Masters of the Snowland
Sons of the Snowland
Masters of the Snowland
Don’t forget your ancestors
Keep them in your heart
Don’t forget your ancestors
Keep them in your heart
Don’t forget your ancestors
Keep them in your heart
[Translation by High Peaks Pure Earth]
For those unable to view the videos on Vimeo, there is also a High Peaks Pure Earth YouTube channel here with our music videos: http://www.youtube.com/highpeakspureearth
The Tibetan lyric should not be covered by the English. Tibetan lyric is more powerful then the translation.
Thank you for your comment. We agree that these videos are very powerful. As a translations project, our audience for the music videos are people who don’t understand Tibetan, and the best place for English subtitles is at the bottom otherwise too much of the visuals are covered up. If you understand Tibetan, please watch the videos on YouTube or Youku instead and you’ll be able to see the Tibetan!