Mr Wong Chin Wah’s English Songs Set to Chinese Tunes gathered by Yu Fong-ying
This year, Wah Yan College Kowloon is 90 years old and Wah Yan Hong Kong 95. Activities are afoot to celebrate the milestone anniversaries and to raise funds for the school. Reminded of the occasion, I think of the fathers and teachers who taught us. And among them, happily, Mr Wong Chin Wah is still with us. He is forever present in my mind as a handsome soldier husband of a princess, in shimmering robe of a costume, appearing in an English Cantonese opera amidst drums and cymbals some fifty years ago when I was a new and dazzled student of Wah Yan Kowloon.
I do not know how many English songs set to Chinese tunes he has written altogether . He sang heartily and clearly for us when we the class of 61 had our 50th anniversary celebration in 2011 in Hong Kong and met in the school hall for a grand Chinese dinner. Scouring the Youtube, I’ve collected the lyrics of most of the songs reproduced below. Perhaps when we Wahyanites meet, next and subsequent years, some of us can sing one of these for the fun it provides (or the solemnity in the case of the Our Father), to make east and west meet again, and as a mark both of vintage and continuity. We will of course sing out of tune, off key, words forgotten, but Mr Wong, you wouldn’t mind, would you?
The best way to learn these songs is to go directly to Mr Wong’s Youtube appearances and repeat after him.
It has to be stated that the copyright of the lyrics belongs to Mr Wong of course, and he alone has the final correct versions. I have boldly presumed to transcribe the words as a way of paying my respects to a dedicated teacher, and reliving fond memories formed many years ago. I am responsible for any errors of transcription. There is one Chinese tune I cannot identify.
Let the celebrations begin.
x x x
Advice to Young Girls, to the tune of 帝女花
We girls should always be glad.
But, sometimes we are very sad.
Can we girls really understand
Why we have married the wrong man.
Now you girls, listen here.
Remember, “Do not just say ‘yes’.”
Just let him wait
until you are very sure
He has completely fallen in love with you.
Make him promise he will never change.
Then you will, forever.
You will enjoy forever,
Enjoy every single day
And every single hour.
(Composed by Mr Wong. The words above are handwritten by Mr Wong, and a copy faxed to Wong Hin Shing who sent it me, song sung at the Gala Dinner of 50th Anniversary of Class 62. The punctuation is Mr Wong’s.)
x x x
Our Father, to the tune of ?
Our Father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven
Give us this day our daily bread and
Forgive us our trespasses as we
Forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
Amen
(Transcribed by me from the Youtube “Demonstration by Wong Chin Wah,” recorded on 10th of January, 2007 in the Wah Yan Star Studio, no punctuation marks. The line divisions reflect the phrasing of the tune.)
x x x
Education, to the tune of 禪院鐘聲
Education is the word
We have to define
With greatest care
It’s not just books
It does not mean just teachers
Or just big schools
Teachers must be very good
So must be the school.
Teachers must be patient with the students.
Do not use force.
Never frighten them.
A few kind words now and then.
Make them understand.
Take them as your friends.
That is the true meaning of modern education.
You must tell them they must try.
It’s of no use if they cry.
If you’re kind you can find
They listen to you.
They will work hard by themselves.
They will get along just fine.
Have good manners, bear in mind
They must not smoke.
All are good folks.
These are far more important than books.
(Composed by Mr Wong. Transcribed by me from the Youtube “Demonstration by Wong Chin Wah,” recorded 10th of January, 2007, my punctuation. The line divisions reflect the phrasing of the tune.)
x x x
Advice to Boys, to the tune of 楊翠喜
Love is a many-splendoured thing.
But I cannot fully agree.
When I married, first I promised that I would obey
And do whatever she bade me do
And go whatever she wanted to.
It seems too easy at the start
To do whatever she would ask.
Then I somehow found it quite a task.
My advice to every bachelor here:
Be sure, don’t promise to obey
There are things that men would like to settle for themselves
Without the interference of our wife.
Alas, alas, now I haven’t got a say
Alas, alas, I’m very sad this day.
Let me warn you not to do as I,
Or you’ll be sorry till you die.
When a man’s in love, he is as foolish as a dog
That tries to eat the moon.
You should take your time to not answer her so soon.
Take this from me as advice.
When you marry you think thrice.
That’s what a wise Confucius said.
(Composed by Mr Wong. Transcribed by me from the Youtube “Wong Chin Wah Addresses Wah Yan Alumni,” uploaded August 20, 2010. My punctuation)
The song starts at 3:49”.
x x x
Mr Wong adapted English lyrics not only to traditional Chinese tunes but also to modern ones. Below are his English words set to the popular Chinese song 友誼之光（theme song of the 1987 film《監獄風雲》, itself an adaption of another song綠島小夜曲）
World Friendship, to the tune of友誼之光
We live and we die. How many a friend
can one really have in this life?
Every problem comes along,
if we are good friends,
we’ll solve it whether it’s yours or mine.
Today we say good bye,
someday we shall meet again.
If we don’t meet again,
we still are good good friends.
The mountain or the sea, hey,
may keep us apart, hey,
yet you and I, we know in the heart,
our friendship shall never die.
The mountain or the sea, hey,
may keep us apart, hey,
yet you and I we know in the heart,
our friendship shall never die.
(Composed by Mr Wong, for 2010 Wah Yan International Conference in LA. Transcribed by me. My punctuation. The line divisions reflect the phrasing. )
September 12, 2014
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