Chung Loi Tan Tung: Thanh Ca Song Ngu

Chung Loi Tan Tung, the first fully bilingual Vietnamese / English songbook for Catholics, is now available in a 2-CD recording.

Recorded with Vietnamese musicians and singers in Saigon and California, the hymns feature keyboard, violin, flute, cello and traditional Vietnamese instruments. All verses and refrains are presented in both languages, with the majority in Vietnamese. Through well-planned rotation, and occasional overlapping melody and descant in English and Vietnamese, the CD models various ways of bringing these languages together.

Popular English-language songs were translated into Vietnamese, and well-known Vietnamese songs were translated into English. In all, there are 24 hymns for various feasts and seasons including Holy Thursday, Easter Vigil, the Easter season, Marian feasts and the Christmas season. Many of the songs can be used throughout the liturgical year, especially where the English-speaking and Vietnamese communities come together.

Parishes who celebrate Masses in Vietnamese will also want to use Chung Loi Tan Tung to supplement their current repertoire.