High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a song called “Songtsen Gampo” by Dorje Tseten that featured on his most recent album of the same name, released in November 2013.
This song “Songtsen Gampo”, about Tibet’s great historical figure and King, was first performed live at a popular concert event in Tibet about two years ago.
A trend can be observed amongst songs coming out of Tibet lately that recall Tibet’s history and origins, see “Steps of Snow” and “An Offering to You”. Furthermore, other music videos about Songtsen Gampo can be found online such as the 2011 song “Songtsen Gampo” by the Black Earth Band (Sanag Band) and Tenzin Ghawa’s 2012 album “Songtsen Gampo”. In exile as well, the era of Songtsen Gampo is being recalled and commemorated with campaigns and public events, see this article by the editorial board of Tibetan Political Review.
The song lyrics of “Songtsen Gampo” are clever and explain the literal meaning behind his name. For example, “tsen” can be translated as “mighty” and his speech is described as being “mighty”, so mighty in fact that it overflowed and the Yarlung valleys of central Tibet were too small for it. The “gam” from Gampo can be translated as “profound” or “accomplished”, referring to his spirit or mind that was so profound that it overflowed from Kham and Amdo, suggesting that his reign spread beyond the Tibet that included Kham and Amdo. In common with the lyrics to “Steps of Snow”, “Songtsen Gampo” also invokes the geography of Tibet and the nature, for example referencing the mountain range Machen Pomra and the river Trishor Gyalmo.
This is music video number 44 translated by High Peaks Pure Earth since the Wednesday music video series started towards the end of 2012. Do 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 “Songtsen Gampo”.
“Songtsen Gampo” By Dorje Tseten from HPeaks on Vimeo.
“Songtsen Gampo”
By Dorje Tseten
Like the shining sun in the sky
The ruler, Songtsen Gampo
Like the emanating rays on the earth
The ruler, Songtsen Gampo
[Lyrics: Rinchen Tsering
Music: Dorje Tseten
Camera: Dadul]
Lightning flashed over the Machen Pomra range
Waves of the Trishor Gyalmo surged into space
Pleasant rain fell off the surface of Lhamo Lhatso
Rainbows appeared over Mount Kailash
Oh… Like the shining sun in the sky
Songtsen was born on the earth
Oh… the ruler, Songtsen
Oh… Songtsen Gampo
[Editor: Dadul and Dorje Rinchen
Choreographer: Dadul]
Neither assigned by Lhachen Tsangpa
Nor produced by the solid earth
The ruler, Songtsen Gampo came to this earth
The golden sun rose over the Snowland, Tibet
Mighty speech overflowed from the Yarlung valleys
Profound spirits overflowed from Kham and Amdo
Oh… like the shining sun in the sky
Songtsen was born on the earth
Oh… the ruler, Songtsen
Oh… Songtsen Gampo
Oh… like the shining sun in the sky
Songtsen was born on the earth
Oh… the ruler, Songtsen
Oh… Songtsen Gampo
Oh… Songtsen Gampo
Like the shining sun in the sky
The ruler, Songtsen Gampo
Like the emanating rays on the earth
The ruler, Songtsen Gampo
Like the shining sun in the sky
The ruler, Songtsen Gampo
Like the emanating rays on the earth
The ruler, Songtsen Gampo
[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
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