© 2002
A. Thomas Tran

Here's a collection of songs that I wrote with Billy-Vu Lam in 2002. We wrote the songs within a span of a half year and recorded a CD with our chorus. The tracks above are a result of our efforts.

UCLA Vietnamese Student Union (VSU) Culture night efforts to educate and preserve our Vietnamese culture, identity and experience. Vietnamese Cultural Night 2002 is a huge production with over 150 participants (note: all full-time students) spending countless hours rehearsing, writing and producing original dance, music, martial arts, and drama. Entitled "Stranded Twilight" it's is a musical about a modern day girl named Thistle and a 15th century Vietnamese hero Le Lai, who meet each other in the dreamworld.

This musical was one of the most challenging endeavors of my life. We had no idea if we'd come close to succeeding. We never tried making a musical before -- the years prior were dramas (not musicals) which was already heroic effort.

Every song was written from scratch. We had weekly rehearsals that for a cast of 25 for a score that were being written simultaneously. At some point we needed to stop rehearsing to being audio recording for the full-length CD. The tracks had to be produced print them in time for the one-night-performance.

There are rough edges of course but I was utterly thrilled with what we were all able to achieve that year.

(Thanks so much to Bao Thien Ngo for posting this!)

All original work is copyrighted as follows:

© 2002 Lyrics by Mickey Huynh.
© 2002 Artwork by Bao Ngo.
© 2002 Score by Billy-Vu Lam and A. Thomas Tran.
* Track 8 originally arranged by Theresa Nguyen

I wanted to say a special thank you to the above mentioned people, as well as to my chorus members who all volunteered their time and talent in Stranded Twilight, without whom there wouldn't be any CD to produce. You guys so rock.

Music by Billy-Vu Lam + A. Thomas Tran
Lyrics by Mickey Huynh
Vocals by Hannah Lee + Jennifer Kwok-Lau

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Sight revives as eyes eclipse
Encircling glow of Will-o-wisps
Entrance, lure faces to a space
Where walls collapse as souls exhale

A second sings a thousand thoughts
Weaves into Chimera's waltz
Whose tune excites the fairy's flight
The dragon's purr, Llarona's wail

Reality reposes,
As the sleeping mind composes
A temptest for a midsummer night
That rises, sublimes, and spins till when
It melts to memory with morning light

Earthbound bodies now dissolve
Transcendent tones return revolve
Illuminate to nigh-nirvana
Far beyond any human regret

Dulcinea calls you to her
Each breath pulls you downward closer
Till pipe she latches onto, slides down
Catches in round Indian nets

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Music by Billy-Vu Lam
Lyrics by Mickey Huynh

Vocals by Linda Tran
Rhythm guitar by Billy-Vu Lam
Lead guitar by Bao Q. Truong
Bass guitar by Nam H. Tran
Drums by A. Thomas Tran

---

Now I wake. To what?
To daybreak, it's Tuesday.
Alarm clock on battery power.
School in an hour. I need to shower.
This room. This street.
Westminster. Cali heat.
Phuoc. Xuan. Real dad, stepmom.
It's their house, but not my own

Where was home when you spiraled round
'tween people that leave you once you're found
'tween states and cities here and there
Where no matter where they fail to care
After fathers leave you and run free
So fast they miss their chance to see their baby crying on the floor

Dad comes back. For what?
To rebuild the family tree.
His genes are same as mine. Fine.
But why suddenly? Why now begin?
Seek me out. Take me in.
Forget the past? It can't last.
Phuoc. Xuan. Same as everyone.
Blood or no. Safest on my own.

Never bare what's underneath
Smile at them with gritted teeth
Keep fading so they can't detect
Keep changing so they won't expect
So you prove them right about each doubt
Learn not to care,
So when they push you out of their lives
You've long stepped past the door

Blood or no. Safest on my own

Don't forget your life's refrain
Don't let their hopes delude your brain
Rip with your nails when your heart sticks
Since family's just a fleeting fix
You're a rootless flower of flesh and thorn
Been alone the moment you were born
Can't be dragged down if you just ignore

On my own. Safest out the door.
Or back in my head.

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Music by A. Thomas Tran
Lyrics by Mickey Huynh
Vocals by Donald Nguyen

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Will I never possess anything more than
Lofty visions of better things?
I am counting the stars in the sky while I'm
Stuck on the ground with shapeless wings

Will I pass my life remembering moments
I did not seize but left to waste
My youth spent hungering for adventure
Without ever getting a true taste

Or will things change?
Will stars rearrange and map out a story
Stranding twilight pictures to
Concrete pathways leading to glory?

Am I stuck in my head while the world charges by
While our country's hero remains unnamed
As my mother cooks alone inside
My father's vengeance still left unclaimed

I'm not just cobwebs and feathers;
I'm feet on ground
Sword taken up, held firmly in hand
Daydreams don't mark the end of my tale
To this world I wake now, I stand

So will things change?
Will stars rearrange and map out a story
Stranding twilight pictures to
Concrete pathways leading to glory?
It's time to change
My plans rearrange
I'll write a new story
Stranding twilight pictures to
Concrete pathways leading to glory.

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Music by A. Thomas Tran
Lyrics by Mickey Huynh
Vocals by Peggy Nguyen + Cindy Tran + Catherine Pham

---

We're cute, we're popular
And you don't have a clue
You're losers you're loners
And you smell just like poo

So don't come near our cheer zone
Or we will make you pay
We'll call our big tough boyfriends
To toss you all away

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Music by A. Thomas Tran
Lyrics by Mickey Huynh + Jenni Trang Le
Vocals by Nam H. Tran

---

I'm cute, I'm sensitive
I have some news that's urgent
That nose! That face!
Go change your plastic surgeon

You think you're hot and sexy
But oh you're sadly wrong
Without a brain that functions
Those cheers won't last too long!

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Music by A. Thomas Tran + Billy-Vu Lam
Lyrics by Mickey Huynh
Vocals by Chorus + Steven Le + Hannah Lee + Nam H. Tran + Linda Tran
Drums by Paul Yanson

---

Heading to a great wide open world
Without concern and without fear
Where names melt in a thousand faces
We too just disappear

It's two for five
No better deal
Come take a look
Come have a feel
Step right on in
Please spare a buck?
I'll read your palm
Wanna test your luck?
You have the time?
Just round the block
Hey outta my way!
Alright, now walk!

Hands, faces, shoulders, arms, and mouths
Swing clatter, hiss, bump, hum, and drone
When you're squished constantly in a crowd
You can never feel alone.
May I suggest the plum parfait?
These folks are nice
If you can pay
I'm getting full
Hey clean your plate
We'd better go, it's getting late
Where will we stay?
I'll see to that Mademoiselle
No vacancy
But it's the only motel

No one knows and no one cares
(Doesn't that throw a monkey wrench?)
You walk by and no one stares
(Well, in the park they have a bench)
If nowhere's right and everything is wrong
Just pack on up and move along

Well ain't this cute? What have we here?
What is that stench?
Too much beer.
I bet you're lost.
No, that's not true.
We have a plan, right Cao?

Who needs a roof -
Or a warm bed.
- when home's a place inside your head?

No one knows and no one cares
(Dude Thistle, you're starting to freak me out)
You walk by and no one stares
(Hey man, could you show us the quickest route?)
If nowhere's right and everything is wrong
Just pack on up and move along

Pack on up and move along

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Music by Billy-Vu Lam
Lyrics by Mickey Huynh
Vocals by A. Thomas Tran

---

Winds of change like a whisper bide
Blow off your shrouds to shifting tides
Unveiling eyes, as the storm subsides
And reveals the horizon where a new sun will rise

Cries of sorrow filled these last ten years
But new hope springs from downtrodden tears
An army united now appears
Together and ready, the pathway clears

You'll bring back freedom as heaven commands
Chanting rites only a brave soul understands
'Till the sun sets on liberated sands
Know that Vietnam's glory lies in your hands

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Music by Theresa Nguyen, Hannah Lee, A. Thomas Tran
Lyrics by Mickey Huynh
Vocals by Jenni Trang Le, Hannah Lee, Tiffany Loui

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My child, no longer, you have long since grown
Released to the world to test your wings
I let you go because I know I must
You are your country's son now.

I caught you at the twilight of youth
The time to rush off and fulfill your won designs
When a child becomes no longer really yours
But then, you were never really mine.

My child. My child. My brother.
Not my child. Not my child. O my brother.

Mine no longer

When at the field do you ever think back
To the childhood we shared, just me and you?
I knew one day you'd leave me behind
To become all the things were your meant to.

My child. My child. My brother.
Not my child. Not my child. O my brother.

Mine no longer - My little boy no more
Mine no longer - Never was before
Mine no longer - Gone off to war

Remember me
Don't make me grieve
Come back for me

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Music by Billy-Vu Lam
Lyrics by Mickey Huynh
Vocals by Nam Tran

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You're a bit too short and
You act a little funny
But it never mattered to me honey
Cause a feelin's burnin' in my heart's oven
My cookies are explodin' for your lovin'

Your life could use some additional flavor
It's bitter on its own so do it a favor
Add a dash of me and I'll be your MSG
I will be your MSG
You will be so sweet on me
Just a little sprinklin' and
I know you'll get the inlkin' to
Seize me, squeeze me, tease me, please me,
Baby, till it drives you crazy

Genetics couldn't plan
A more matching pair
Our kids will have your eyes
And my awesome hair

I'm on my knees now
I know this sounds corny
But baby you make me
Feel oh so... excited

Your life could use some additional flavor
It's bitter on its own so do it a favor
Add a dash of me and I'll be your MSG

Yea, I will be your MSG
You will be so sweet on me
My love will blast you like a missile
Oh don't deny it Thistle, just
Seize me, squeeze me, tease me, please me,
Baby, till it drives you crazy

Yea, I will be your MSG
You can have all of me for free
So come on girl cut the drama
Be my sugar-lumpin' mama, just
Seize me, squeeze me, tease me, please me,
Baby, say you'll be with me, be with me,
Your MSG

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Music by A. Thomas Tran
Lyrics by Mickey Huynh
Vocals by Donald Nguyen + Linda Tran

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Fire rolling in the sky
The world sits on the brink of change
The whims of war will soon arrange
For us to win or die

I've held so tightly onto dreams
While tethered to reality
Existing in duality
Now splitting at the seams

Lives slip by sometimes like thieves
Can't know what heaven has prepared
What happens to dreams we've shared
Does heaven care who grieves?

I must be brave
So should I save?
What should I do? What should I say?

It only takes a single word
To change the past that's yet occurred
Though great disasters may arise,
Just to see you awake when I close my eyes

Events to come I cannot stall
My heart along with promise breaks
To make you happy whatever it takes
If I should ever fall

Must I accept the truth I know
Look for a new road to pursue?
Although faint glimmers shine me through
I have to let you go.

Lives slip by sometimes like thieves
Can't know what heaven has prepared
What happens to dreams we've shared
Does heaven care who grieves?

I must be strong
We don't have long
What waits for us after today?

It only takes a single word
To change the past that's yet occurred
But love, for the world, I'll compromise
If I (I'll)
See you again when I close my eyes

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Music by Billy-Vu Lam, A. Thomas Tran
Lyrics by Mickey Huynh

Vocals by VCN 2002 Chorus

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Le Loi ascended to the throne
And Vietnam found new beginning
A dynasty came sunrising
From the nightmare of the Ming

The dawn of 1428
Ends the nocturne of bloodied notes
Through the air a brand new anthem floats
As the people liberated sing

Lessons of the past teach the present
The present embarks from the past
The changing face of Vietnam
The changing place of culture
Culture is learning from the past
And growing with the future

Improvement and prosperity
Born of sacrifice, of a chance survived
Through a man whose name is now derived
From the king he saved, the soldier Le Lai

Lessons of the past teach the present
The present embarks from the past
The changing face of Vietnam
The changing place of culture
Culture is learning from the past
And growing with the future

I must be strong
We don't have long
What waits for us after today?

It only takes a single word
To chance the past that's yet occurred
But love for the world I'll compromise
If I (I'll) see you again when I close my eyes

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