The Top 6 Essays on Songs Expressing Family Emotions

Many songs in Vietnamese folklore focus on the theme of family love, which makes up a significant portion of the folk songs in the nation’s cultural heritage. These songs reflect the beautiful and rich spiritual life of the laboring people. Below are some of the most representative examples:

The father's merit is like a mountain so high,

The mother's love is like the waters of the Eastern Sea.

The mountain is high, the sea is vast,

The small island is a symbol of filial piety in the hearts of children!

In the afternoon, standing at the back gate,

I look toward my homeland, my heart aches with longing.

Looking up at the roof of the house,

The more I look, the more I remember my ancestors.

Siblings are not far away,

We share the same parents, all from one family.

Love each other as if we were one’s limbs,

Siblings in harmony, joy fills the home.

The content of these songs often consists of advice from elders to the younger generation or expressions of gratitude and filial piety from children towards their parents and ancestors. The common artistic technique used is comparison and metaphor, both familiar in folk songs.

The first verse emphasizes the immense contribution of parents to their children’s upbringing and reminds children of their filial duty:

The father's merit is like a mountain so high,

The mother's love is like the waters of the Eastern Sea.

The mountain is high, the sea is vast.

The small island is a symbol of filial piety in the hearts of children!

This is a lullaby sung by mothers or grandmothers, gently rocking in the hammock during a hot afternoon or a cold winter night. The rhythm of the song resembles tender and intimate words, full of emotion. Lullabies are closely associated with family and social relationships, where no other lullaby is as intimate, warm, and sacred as this one.

To affirm the parents’ merit, folk songs often use grand and eternal images of nature for comparison. In Eastern literature, the father is often compared to heaven or the mountain, while the mother is likened to the earth or the sea. These beautiful symbolic images are enhanced by descriptors of scale (e.g., the mountain so high – high mountain, the vast sea). Only such grand, majestic images can truly convey the greatness of parental love. Just like the immeasurable heights of the mountain and the boundless sea, parental love cannot be fully expressed. The father’s merit and the mother’s love are often presented together in a traditional symmetrical way in folk songs. Thanks to these clever comparisons, the dry advice on filial duty becomes a sweet lullaby. Thus, the abstract concept of parental love becomes more concrete, vivid, and deeply felt.

The father’s love and the mother’s devotion are encapsulated in the metaphor of the small island with nine symbols of filial piety (a reverse form of the phrase ‘nine symbols of the small island’, often used to refer to parental love). These words of wisdom are conveyed with tenderness through lullabies, nurturing our souls and personalities day by day.

The second verse reflects the sentiment of a daughter who has married and lives far from home. In folk songs, the image of the back gate and the riverbank often evokes the feeling of women in such situations:

In the afternoon, standing at the back gate,

I look toward my homeland, my heart aches with longing.

This expresses the deep sorrow and longing often felt as dusk falls. The evening evokes a sense of sadness and nostalgia because it marks the time of reunion (birds return to their nests, and people return home after a long day of work). Yet, the woman who has married and moved far away from home is left alone in a foreign land.

The back gate symbolizes a quiet, lonely place, and as the night falls, it becomes even more desolate. This setting reminds us of the solitary and painful existence of women in a patriarchal society. The silent sorrow of these women, full of unspoken grief, is something they have no one to share with.

The daughter misses her mother, her homeland... and feels guilty because she cannot fulfill her filial duty to care for her aging parents in times of illness or difficulty. Along with this, there is the nostalgia for the days of youth and the bittersweet feeling of leaving home, packed and ready to follow her husband.

The third verse expresses gratitude to ancestors and elders from the perspective of children or grandchildren. The feelings of respect and gratitude are depicted through a common technique in folk songs:

Passing by the communal house, I remove my hat in respect,

The more roof tiles on the house, the more I cherish them.

Passing by the bridge, I remove my hat in respect,

The more bridge arches, the more sorrow I feel...

Ordinary and familiar things can evoke poetic inspiration and become the subject matter for the poet. The beauty of this verse lies in the way emotions are expressed. The verb ‘look up’ reflects an attitude of respect and reverence. The image of roof tiles symbolizes the immeasurable degree of gratitude, along with the unbreakable bond of family ties. Moreover, it reaffirms the monumental role of ancestors in building the family and lineage. The relationships illustrated with the phrase “the more… the more” highlight this idea further.

The fourth verse could be either advice from parents to their children or words exchanged between siblings:

Siblings are not far away,

We share the same parents, all from one family.

Love each other as if we were one’s limbs,

Siblings in harmony, joy fills the home.

The bond between siblings is different from that between strangers because it is based on shared, sacred things: the same parents, one family. Siblings share the same blood, joy, sorrow, and hardships under one roof.

The relationship between siblings is likened to that of limbs, illustrating a deep, inseparable connection.

This verse encourages siblings to be respectful, harmonious, and supportive, making their parents happy. This is the most concrete and practical way to repay the duty of filial piety: Siblings in harmony, joy fills the home.

All four verses are written in the traditional six-eight meter, with a rhythmic, tender tone and familiar comparisons (though each verse has its own unique images). Folk songs are expressions of emotions, capturing the joys, sorrows, and struggles of people. These songs arose to meet the need for emotional expression and will continue to live on, resonating in our hearts forever.

In Vietnamese folk literature, ca dao is the largest literary form, rich in themes and content, reflecting various aspects of life. These are sincere, heartfelt words shared by people in the past. Besides love songs and those related to labor, ca dao also includes many verses about family love, illustrating the deep affection in families and the recognition of the parents' nurturing and life-giving efforts.

Ca dao about family love is incredibly diverse. It includes the affection parents have for their children, the gratitude and respect children show towards their parents, and the love and support among siblings. The ca dao verses that focus on family emotions are truly touching, offering an honest portrayal of the emotional lives within a family. First, let's consider the great sacrifices of parents for their children through the following verse:

“A father's love is as immense as Mount Tai

A mother's care is like the water flowing from its source”

This ca dao serves as a reminder of the immense, immeasurable sacrifices parents make. A father's love is as boundless as the heights of Mount Tai, and a mother's affection is as profound as the river's source. The comparison with Mount Tai reflects a father's silent, steadfast love, which can only be felt deeply. Meanwhile, a mother's love is more perceptible, nurturing, and always present beside her children through life's challenges, symbolized by flowing water.

From the awareness of parents' sacrifices, the verse reminds children to love, respect, and repay their parents' great care, and only by doing so can one fulfill their duties as a child.

“Every evening, I stand by the back gate

Looking towards my hometown, my heart aches with longing”

If the previous verse emphasizes the profound love of parents and the duty of children to honor them, these lines express the grief of a daughter who has married far from home, unable to frequently return to care for her parents. She gazes longingly towards her hometown with sorrow and yearning. The imagery of evening evokes a sense of loss and helplessness, reflecting the pain of being separated from one's parents.

“Travelling the world, no one is better than my mother

Carrying the burdens of life, no one suffers more than my father”

These two lines of ca dao highlight the sacrifices and selflessness of parents. A father, as the pillar of the family, carries all the burdens of life on his shoulders for the sake of his children. His hardships are hidden, but they are all for the well-being of his children. A mother, on the other hand, is the most caring, always supporting, protecting, and trusting her children unconditionally.

Thus, through these ca dao verses, we gain a deeper understanding of the vast, boundless love of parents and the responsibility we hold in honoring them. The verses are not only a reminder but also a guide for how to live with gratitude, love, and respect for the immense efforts parents have made in raising us.

The number of folk poems about family affection occupies a large portion of the vast treasure of Vietnamese folk songs, showcasing the rich and beautiful spiritual life of the working people. Below are some of the most representative verses:

A father's love is like the towering mountain, a mother's affection is like the vast East Sea. The mountain is high, the sea is wide, the islands are nine letters within the heart!

In the evening, I stand at the back gate. I long for my motherland with a heart aching for a whole afternoon. I look up to the roof, feeling deep longing for my grandparents. Siblings are far apart, yet we are all together as one. We love each other as if we were hands and feet, siblings harmonize, and both bodies rejoice.

The content of these verses is often advice from grandparents, parents to their children, or the expression of filial piety from children towards their elders. The common artistic technique used is familiar metaphors and comparisons in folk songs.

The first verse affirms the immense contribution of parents in raising their children and reminds of the responsibility and duty of children to show gratitude: This is the lullaby of the grandmother or mother rocking on a hammock on a hot summer afternoon or during cold winter nights. The melody of the lullaby is soft, sincere, and full of affection. Lullabies often relate to family and social relationships. There is no lullaby on earth that evokes a bond between the listener and the singer as close, warm, and sacred as in this song.

Folk songs, also known as "songs from the heart," are a form of poetic folk art. Vietnamese folk songs represent the countless melodies of the people's souls, particularly those of the hardworking Vietnamese. Naturally, the heart and emotions of people often begin with their love and respect for their close family members. Vietnamese cultural traditions highly value the family and the bonds within it. The treasure trove of Vietnamese folk songs about family relationships is vast. Among them, four songs from the work "Songs about Family Bonds" stand out as exemplars, being both profound in meaning and rich in artistic language:

- A father's love is like the towering mountain...

- In the evening, I stand by the house...

- Looking up, the roof seems high...

- Siblings are never far from each other...

The words of these folk songs—who are they spoken by, and to whom? Through the melody, the meanings of the words, and the characters depicted in these songs, we understand that they are the soothing lullabies from a mother to her child; a daughter far away from home singing to her mother; a grandchild speaking to their grandfather; and, in the last song, the words are likely spoken by elders or siblings sharing heartfelt messages. These family-themed songs in Vietnamese folk music are beautiful, like a chorus of voices that is both intimate, warm, sacred, and enduring across generations. Among the four songs, the first and the fourth are especially moving and impactful.

A father's love is like the towering mountain,

A mother's care is as vast as the Eastern Sea.

The mountain is tall and wide,

And the island of nine virtues is engraved in my heart, dear child!

The opening six words flow gently, like the soft notes of a lullaby. This is a mother's lullaby, comforting her child to sleep while reminding them of the immense gratitude owed to their parents. A mother nurtures her child with both her milk and her soothing lullabies. As children, each of us has been rocked to sleep by our mother's song, which, alongside her milk, has nurtured us, shaping both our bodies and souls. In this lullaby, the mother compares the parents' love for their child to the towering mountains and the boundless sea, using metaphors common in Vietnamese folk songs to express the depth of parental love. The concepts of "a father's love" and "a mother's care" are abstract ideas expressed through the tangible imagery of "mountains" and "seas," which symbolize the eternal nature of nature itself. These images are further described by modifiers ("towering mountain" and "endless sea") to emphasize the enormity and boundlessness of the parents' love. Such magnificent images represent the unmeasurable nature of parental devotion, a love beyond calculation.

The line "The island of nine virtues is engraved in my heart, dear child!" though difficult to grasp in its entirety, evokes a profound sense of gratitude. It expresses not only the nine virtues of a mother but the eternal, unquantifiable nature of their love. The eight-syllable line is divided into two parts: the first part, "the island of nine virtues," emphasizes the depth of parental love, while the second part, "engraved in my heart, dear child," reminds the child of their responsibility to repay that love. The structure and flow of this lullaby are cohesive. Many other Vietnamese folk songs follow a similar structure: describing things, telling stories, then offering lessons or moral guidance, harmonizing reality with love and logic.

Beyond the folk song introduced in the textbook, many Vietnamese people also remember other similar songs, such as:

The father's love is heavy,

The mother's care is like the sky above.

Or:

A father's love is like Mount Tai,

A mother's care is like the flowing river...

In addition to lullabies about parental love, our ancestors often sang to their children about the love shared among siblings. The fourth folk song conveys a message about sibling affection, structured similarly to the first. The first part of the song describes the close bond between siblings:

Siblings are never far from each other,

We share the same parents, we are family.

The song contrasts the relationship between siblings with that of neighbors, using the phrase "never far from each other" to symbolize closeness, followed by a more intimate line that highlights the deep connection between siblings: "We share the same parents, we are family." The song's tone is both gentle and profound, evoking a deep sense of familial love. The latter part of the song offers advice on maintaining harmonious relationships:

Live in harmony, as if you were one,

Siblings should love each other, bringing joy to their parents.

Here, the folk song uses a metaphor, comparing sibling harmony to the close relationship between hands and feet. It emphasizes the importance of unity and love among siblings, as their bond brings happiness to their parents. The song ends, yet its emotional impact continues, as the words "love each other," "harmonious," and "joy" resonate in the hearts of the listeners. Vietnamese folk songs, in their purest form, are "songs from the heart." These "heartfelt songs" about family bonds are always gentle, sincere, and full of love. From the deep affection between parents and children to the bond between siblings and other family members, these connections are precious and should be cherished for eternity. As the old proverb goes, "Blood is thicker than water," and Vietnamese wisdom reminds us that "love" must always be intertwined with "duty." True love and gratitude can only be realized when we act in a way that honors the sacrifices made by our parents and loved ones, ensuring that the spirit of familial love extends to other wider human connections, such as love for one's homeland, fellow citizens, and compassion for all people.

The treasure trove of folk literature consists of various forms of lyrical and folk songs, combining lyrics and music, reflecting the lives of people. The songs about family affection in the 7th-grade literature book are examples of such types.

"A father's love is as vast as a towering mountain

A mother's affection is like the vast waters of the Eastern Sea"

The mountain is high, the sea is wide and endless

The phrase 'Cù lao chín chữ' represents the deep love parents have for their children!"

The emotion in this folk poem is about the love parents have for their children, reminding them to always be filial to their parents – a cherished tradition of our nation. The poem uses comparisons such as "a father's love" being likened to "a high mountain" and "a mother's affection" compared to "a vast sea." We can also feel this love clearly in the phrase "Cù lao chín chữ," which speaks of the nine characters representing the great effort parents put into raising their children.

The father plays the central role in the family, being a reliable support for his wife and children. Meanwhile, the mother is the one who gives birth and raises the children to maturity. The mother is always gentle but also strict, watching over every step and thought of the child, offering valuable advice, guiding them down the right path.

Every day, the mother endures hardship and exhaustion, worrying about her children’s meals, clothes... Beyond these, she also teaches and imparts knowledge and life experiences that she gained through hard work, ensuring that the child learns important lessons to navigate life.

The poem’s slow, rhythmic tone resonates deeply, each line ingrained into the reader’s mind, whispering into the listener’s ear. This poem has helped me understand that the duty of a child is a sacred and profound responsibility. If one day we lose our father or mother, or both, that would undoubtedly be the saddest day of our lives.

Folk songs are creations from the people, combining lyrics and music, with incredibly diverse content that surrounds us. In folk songs, the beautiful emotions between individuals and their homeland, country, are reflected. These songs convey the deep feelings of gratitude from children to parents, a girl's sorrow when marrying far away, and the love of descendants towards grandparents, as well as sibling bonds within the family.

Firstly, we see the deep appreciation of children for their parents' nurturing care:

“A father's love is as vast as the towering mountains

A mother's affection is as endless as the sea's tide”

The towering mountain symbolizes the unmeasurable love of a father, while the sea's tide represents a mother's boundless love. Through these comparisons, the infinite devotion of parents is highlighted. The metaphor “Cù lao chín chữ” refers to the immense, immeasurable hardships parents endure in raising their children, reminding us to always honor and love our parents.

Within family bonds, we also observe the sorrow of a girl, far from her home, longing for her mother and homeland:

“In the evening, I stand at the back gate

Yearning for my mother, my heart aches with longing”

These words depict the time and space of a daughter’s grief, standing in solitude, missing her mother and the homeland she left behind. “Evenings” represent a prolonged time, filled with melancholy and longing, evoking a sense of loneliness and yearning. The phrase “my heart aches with longing” reflects the deep emotional pain of being far from one’s parents and unable to care for them in their old age.

Next, we can reflect on the deep love and remembrance of grandchildren towards their grandparents:

“Looking up at the roof’s peak

Every strand of the thatched roof reminds me of my grandparents”

The bond between grandchildren and their grandparents is a profound, sacred relationship that acknowledges the great contributions grandparents made in building the family. “Looking up” symbolizes respect, and the specific imagery of the thatched roof reflects the enduring connection and deep affection for one's grandparents. The phrase “Every strand” symbolizes the constant remembrance of grandparents, no matter where one may go. It reminds us to always appreciate our elders.

Finally, we come to the sibling bond within a family:

“Siblings are not strangers

We share the same mother, the same family, with love so deep

Like hands and feet, inseparable

Brothers and sisters in harmony bring joy to the family”

The bond between siblings is eternal, inseparable. Raised by the same parents, nurtured from birth, their relationship remains unbroken throughout life. The comparison of siblings to hands and feet highlights the intimacy and unity of this relationship. “Siblings are not strangers” affirms the familial ties that bind them together as one. The proverb reminds us to live harmoniously, as unity within the family brings happiness to all.

This folk song offers valuable lessons about the importance of family love, reminding us to cherish and maintain these sacred bonds for a harmonious, respectful life together.