High Peaks Pure Earth presents the English translation of a song from Tibet by Gyaltsen (Jason J) called “Red-Faced Tibetans” which came out in October 2017.
[Scroll down past the introduction to see the music video]
The song comes from ALALAMO Film, the group that have been behind many videos with high quality production values working with some of the biggest names in the contemporary music scene such as ANU, Dekyi Tsering and Uncle Buddhist, watch the group’s showreel here.
The phrase “dongmar” which literally translates as red-faced (sometimes also translated as ruddy-faced) is often employed in writings and verse to describe a feature typical of Tibetans and Tibetan-ness. This song by Gyaltsen (Jason J) interestingly focuses on Tibetan values passed on to him by his grandmother and mother.
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“Red-faced Tibetans” By Gyaltsen (Jason J)
Lyrics, Melody and Singer: Gyaltsen (Jason J)
Translation by High Peaks Pure Earth
Red-faced Tibetans
Red-faced Tibetans
Red-faced Tibetans
Kyi So So
Lha Gyalo (Victory to the Gods)
Red-faced Tibetans
The people of the snow
The people of the snowland
Kyi So So
Lha Gyalo (Victory to the Gods)
When I lift my head there is sky
When I bow my head there is earth
My birthplace is the Snowland Tibet
The birth I took is the golden human life
This is the body of joy, sorrow, love and hate
Embrace life
It is a joy if this body has no illness
Pray for this
These are the words my Grandmother said to me
I always keep them in mind
I always remember and strive to practise them
However, sometimes I feel sad when I face issues
Grandmother
I feel sad when people who don’t deserve to face issues
Grandmother
What is the true meaning of life?
Grandmother
I can’t find it although I search in books over and over
Although I often ask my father there’s no answer
What is the true meaning of life?
Red-faced Tibetans
Red-faced Tibetans
Red-faced Tibetans
Kyi So So
Lha Gyalo
Red-faced Tibetans
The people of the snow
The people of the snowland
Kyi So So
Lha Gyalo
Red-faced Tibetans
Red-faced Tibetans
Red-faced Tibetans
Kyi So So
Lha Gyalo
When I was young, my Mother said to me
“A good heart leads to a good path,
A bad heart leads to a bad path”
When I became adult, the adults said to me,
“A good heart leads to a good path”
Now what I know is that
I am responsible for myself
Rather than someone else being responsible for me
What some people want is money
What some people want is hatred
What some people know is jealousy
What is the true meaning of life?
Your mouth recites prayers
Your mind is on the lord of death
If there is no Buddha in your mind
There is no dharma in your mouth
Brothers!
Instead of reciting prayers with bad thoughts
It’s better to sing a song with a good heart
Instead of reciting prayers with bad thoughts
It’s better to sing a song with a good heart
Red-faced Tibetans
Red-faced Tibetans
Red-faced Tibetans
Kyi So So
Lha Gyalo
Red-faced Tibetans
The people of the snow
The people of the snowland
Kyi So So
Lha Gyalo
Red-faced Tibetans
The people of the snow
The people of the snowland
Kyi So So
Lha Gyalo
Translation by High Peaks Pure Earth
Check out lots more music videos from Tibet we’ve subtitled!
http://highpeakspureearth.com/category/music-from-tibet/
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