As promised, the music video series returns today and for the first song of the year, High Peaks Pure Earth has translated “Steps of Snow”, a collaboration between two female Tibetan singers Tsewang Lhamo and Hortsang Lhalung Tso.
The song is quite new and was uploaded onto Chinese video-hosting sites such as Youku in December 2013. Tsewang Lhamo, from Karze in Kham, is currently one of the most popular female singers in Tibet and High Peaks Pure Earth readers may recall the translation of her song “Tibetan Soul”, which happens to be the most viewed video on our YouTube channel. Hortsang Lhalung Tso is also a popular singer and is from Sangchu County in Amdo.
The title of the song “Steps of Snow” is the English translation that was already used in the video so we have kept it. The “Snow” is probably referring to Snowland and the word steps (གོམ་འགྲོས།) is used as in walking steps.
The lyrics show us that young singers and writers in Tibet are choosing to assert their roots by tracing back Tibet’s history and origins. The song starts by referring to the Tibetan creation myth, that Tibetans are descendants of a monkey and an ogress, the monkey itself being an incarnation of the bodhisattva of compassion. The song also reveres King Songtsen Gampo, the first of the three Dharma Kings who established Buddhism in Tibet. Songtsen Gampo’s drafting of a code of laws based on the principles of the Dharma is singled out for praise as well.
This is music video number 41 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 “Steps of Snow”.
“Steps of Snow” By Tsewang Lhamo and Hortsang Lhalung Tso from HPeaks on Vimeo.
“Steps of Snow”
Lyrics: Wisdom Flute
Melody: Tenzin
Singers: Tsewang Lhamo & Hortsang Lhalung Tso
The white khata has spread in the snowy land of Tibet
Flourished in Tibet
The Tibetan heart is as pure as a khata
The peaks of Jomolhari touch the sky
Tibetan dignity equals that of the plateau
So ya ri lo!
The Machu and Drichu rivers flow in Tibet
Tibet’s history is as long as the rivers
The only compassionate father of the monkey
Ah ha ha ha
Originated from a deity for the ruddy faced Tibetans
The dharma laws for Gods and humans were combined at the Potala
The dharma laws were combined
Buddha’s teachings spread from both temples
The love of the Buddha has flourished in the world
Tibet became known as the Land of the Dharma
So ya ri lo!
Four great lakes flow around in Tibet
Tibet’s religion and politics are as deep as the lakes
The victorious protector of the people, Songtsen
Ah ha ha ha
Shined the light of the sun and moon on religion and politics
So ya ri lo!
Four Great Lakes flow around in Tibet
Tibet’s religion and politics are as deep as the lakes
The victorious protector of the people, Songtsen
Ah ha ha ha
Shined the light of the sun and moon on religion and politics
Ah ha ha ha
Shined the light of the sun and moon on religion and politics
[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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