Hôm nay ngày rằm tháng bảy, là ngày đại lễ Vu Lan theo Phật giáo, là ngày mà những người con đến chùa cầu nguyện cho cha mẹ hiện tiền được an lạc, cha mẹ quá vãng được siêu thoát.

Tuy vậy, nhưng cả tháng 7 âm lịch được xem như mùa báo hiếu và ở nhiều nơi các hoạt động chào mừng ngày Vu Lan đã diễn ra từ chủ nhật vừa rồi kéo dài cho đến hết tuần. Các bạn đã biết và đã nghe rất nhiều bài thơ và khúc hát về Mẹ hiền, về tình mẹ như bài Bông Hồng Cài Áo ( thơ Nhất Hạnh, nhạc Phạm Thế Mỹ), Tình Mẹ, và bạn sẽ nghe những bài hát về Mẹ như thế vào chuyên mục đặc biệt trên Đọt Chuối Non.
Người Việt Nam có một ngày lễ về Mẹ thực đặc biệt. Thế còn Phương Tây thì sao? Vẫn có một ngày cho Cha vào chủ nhật thứ ba của tháng 6 ( Father’s Day) và một ngày cho Mẹ ( Mother’s Day) vào chủ nhật thứ hai của tháng 5, nhưng tất nhiên không có nghi thức cài bông hồng trên áo độc đáo như người Phật tử Việt Nam chúng ta.
Nhưng tình mẫu tử thì bất kể ngôn ngữ, chủng tôc, tôn giáo, tuổi tác, hay giới tính nào cũng đều có chung một tiếng gọi mẹ yêu dấu thiết tha, và những bài hát ca ngợi Mẹ – tình yêu mẹ, luôn được mọi người yêu mến, vì trên đời này còn chi cao quý, lớn lao, và tuyệt vời bằng tình Mẹ? Có ai trong chúng ta không biết mẹ là suối nguồn vô tận của yêu thương?

Hai ngày qua, Nhạc Xanh đã nhận được một số đề nghị của các bạn trẻ về những bản nhạc đặc biệt cho chủ đề này. Hôm nay là lúc phù hợp để bạn nghe những bài nhạc diễn tả tình mẹ, cảm xúc về Mẹ, và một số bạn sẽ dịch các bài ưa thích sang Tiếng Việt như một cách thể hiện tình cảm trân quý các bạn dành cho mẹ.
Các bạn sẽ nghe những danh ca như Céline Dion, The Beatles, Shania Twain, Dolly Parton, Jamie O’Neal, Taylor Swift, Charlotte Church, Christina Aguilera, và Phi Collins.
Các bạn sẽ thấy mẹ là người hùng trong mắt cô con gái ( In My Daughter’s Eyes).
Nhưng thực ra mẹ cũng là tất cả, đầu bếp, người lái xe đưa đón, người kể chuyện thần tiên, người chắp cho con đôi cánh để bay cao khỏi cái tổ ấm đầu tiên, là người hùng của ai đó ( Somebody’s Hero).
Mẹ là người, ngày con bé bỏng, bởi nhà nghèo không có tiền, đã dùng giẻ vụn để may một chiếc áo khoác nhiều màu trăm mảnh vụn cho con được ấm lúc thu đông. Vậy nên dù bạn bè con cười cợt, con đã tự hào mặc nó tung tăng, tự thấy mình giàu có trong chiếc áo khoác vải vụn nhiều màu với từng đường kim nét chỉ kết bằng trọn vẹn thương yêu của mẹ ( Coat of Many Colors).

Ngày đẹp nhất đời con là khi con có mẹ chẳng kể con lên 5 hay 13 tuổi, hoặc khi 50 tuổi (The Best Day), vì mỗi khi con bị cuốn vào những cơn bão táp phong ba, mẹ luôn là thành lũy che chắn gió mưa; khi con vấp ngã đã có tay mẹ nâng đỡ. Mẹ là bạn hiền, là sức mạnh, là tình yêu, là ý chí cho con vươn vai mà lớn (I Turn To You).
Tuyệt vời hơn, mẹ không chỉ chăm sóc con phần thể xác, mẹ còn dạy bảo và cầu nguyện cho con được bình an, hiểu biết, khôn ngoan. ( Mother’s Prayer). Mẹ đã cho con cuộc sống, cho con một cái tên, và trên hết mẹ đã dạy cho con biết ý nghĩa của yêu thương. ( Mama You Gave Me Life).
Tình yêu của mẹ ấp ủ và trải rộng suốt cuộc đời con. Con lớn lên trong dòng sữa mẹ ngọt ngào và lời ru dịu dàng. Rồi con thành chàng trai và cô thiếu nữ của tuổi hồng, tuổi ngọc. Mẹ vẩn chăm chút cho con, chỉ bảo cho con từ cách đi, dáng đứng, lời ăn và tiếng nói, manh quần tấm áo. Mẹ hi sinh cả bản thân, ăn uống kham khổ, áo quần giản dị; tất cả chỉ vì lo lắng dành dụm tất cả cho con. Khi con đã thành nhân chi mỹ, bước vào tuổi yêu đương, Mẹ lại lo lắng, mong sao con có một người bạn đời phù hợp và con được hạnh phúc trong tổ ấm của riêng mình. Dẫu con 30, 40 tuổi, con vẫn là con trẻ ngây thơ trong mắt mẹ ngày nào…
Mẹ luôn ở trong trái tim con suốt đời, dù mẹ ở đâu, còn trên trần thế hay đã về bên kia suối nguồn vỉnh cửu: (You’ll Be In My Heart). Con chẳng bao giờ quên bài hát mẹ đã dạy con và sẽ truyền lại cho đàn cháu của mẹ. ( Song My Mother Taught Me). Còn một điều: Xin đừng quên nhớ mẹ. ( Don’t Forget To Remember Me).
Trong ngày Vu Lan dạt dào xúc cảm về Mẹ, xin mượn lời thơ Thanh Nguyên tặng tất cả các anh chị em, và các bạn mấy lời về mẹ:
Mẹ!
Có nghĩa là ánh sáng
Một ngọn đèn thắp bằng máu con tim
Cái đóm lửa thiêng liêng
Cháy trong bão bùng, cháy trong đêm tối
Mẹ!
Có nghĩa là mãi mãi
Là cho – đi – không – đòi – lại – bao – giờ
Cổ tích thường bắt đầu từ: “Ngày xưa có một công chúa…” hay “Ngày xưa có một vị vua…”
Cổ tích còn bắt đầu từ: “Ngày xưa có mẹ…”

Với mình mẹ mãi là suối nguồn yêu thương với những hi sinh tảo tần nuôi con ăn học của ngày xưa còn bé, và của bây giờ khi tóc trên đầu đã đIểm sương và mẹ già lưng đã còng không còn đi lại được
Cho mình được nhắn gửi các bạn một lời:
Những ngày này hãy nghĩ đến mẹ và bằng cách tốt nhất có thể làm vui lòng mẹ cha bằng những việc có ý nghĩa thiết thực và giá trị làm Người con hiếu thảo. Hãy chăm sóc yêu thương mẹ cha, ông bà khi còn tại thế, làm cho họ hạnh phúc. Các bạn còn mẹ hãy cài cho mình một bông hồng đỏ thắm và hân hoan vì mình còn diễm phúc có mẹ trên đời.
Với những bạn không được may mắn còn cha mẹ, hay mẹ đã đi xa, bạn hãy cài cho mình một bông hồng trắng. Xin bạn chớ buồn phiền bởi mẹ vẫn còn đó: tràn đầy trong trái tim yêu mẹ của bạn. Nhắm mắt lại một thoáng thôi, bạn sẽ đắm mình vào biết bao kỉ niệm và hồi ức đẹp của những ngày có mẹ.
Mẹ không ở đâu xa. Mẹ là tình yêu- là suối nguồn yêu thương trong trái tim của tôi, của bạn.
Thân ái chúc các bạn một ngày vui tề tựu quanh mẹ hiền, và nếu có thể lên chùa hay tại nhà cầu nguyện cho mẹ cha được bằng an vui sống.
Mời các bạn cùng với mình nghe những giai điệu ngợi ca Mẹ và trải lòng mình qua những xúc cảm bài hát đem lại cho các bạn:
1. Coat of Many Colors – Shania Twain
Back through the years
I go wonderin once again
Back to the seasons of my youth
I recall a box of rags that someone gave us
And how my momma put the rags to use
There were rags of many colors
Every piece was small
And I didn’t have a coat
And it was way down in the fall
Momma sewed the rags together
Sewin every piece with love
She made my coat of many colors
That I was so proud of
As she sewed, she told a story
From the bible, she had read
About a coat of many colors
Joseph wore and then she said
Perhaps this coat will bring you
Good luck and happiness
And I just couldn’t wait to wear it
And momma blessed it with a kiss
Chorus:
My coat of many colors
That my momma made for me
Made only from rags
But I wore it so proudly
Although we had no money
I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me
So with patches on my britches
Holes in both my shoes
In my coat of many colors
I hurried off to school
Just to find the others laughing
And making fun of me
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me
And oh I couldnt understand it
For I felt I was rich
And I told them of the love
My momma sewed in every stitch
And I told em all the story
Momma told me while she sewed
And how my coat of many colors
Was worth more than all their clothes
But they didn’t understand it
And I tried to make them see
That one is only poor
Only if they choose to be
Now I know we had no money
But I was rich as I could be
In my coat of many colors
My momma made for me
Made just for me
Coat of Many Colors – Dolly Parton –
2. I Turn To You ( Christina Aguilera )
When I’m lost in the rain,
In your eyes I know I’ll find the light
To light my way.
And when I’m scared,
And losing ground,
When my world is going crazy,
You can turn it all around.
And when I’m down you’re there
– pushing me to the top.
You’re always there,
giving me all you’ve got.
For a shield from the storm,
For a friend, for a love
to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you.
For the strength to be strong,
For the will to carry on
For everything you do,
for everything that’s true
I turn to you.
When I lose the will to win,
I just reach for you and
I can reach the sky again.
I can do anything
‘Cause your love is so amazing,
‘Cause your love inspires me.
And when I need a friend,
You’re always on my side
Giving me faith
taking me through the night
For a shield from the storm,
For a friend, for a love
to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you.
For the strength to be strong,
For the will to carry on
For everything you do,
for everything that’s true
I turn to you.
For the arms to be my shelter
through all the rain,
For truth that will never change,
For someone to lean on,
For a heart I can rely on through anything,
For that one who I can run to…
For a shield from the storm,
For a friend, for a love
to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you
For the strength to be strong,
For the will to carry on
For everything you do,
for everything that’s true
I turn to you.
For a shield from the storm,
For a friend, for a love
to keep me safe and warm
I turn to you.
For the strength to be strong,
For the will to carry on
For everything you do,
for everything that’s true
I turn to you.
I turn to you…
3. MAMMA YOU GAVE LIFE TO ME – CELINE DION
Mamma
You gave life to me
Turned a baby into a lady
Mamma
All you had to offer
Was the promise of a lifetime of love
Now I know
There is no other
Love like a mother’s love for her child
And I know
A love so complete
Someday must leave
Must say goodbye
Goodbye’s the saddest word I’ll ever hear
Goodbye’s the last time I will hold you near
Someday you’ll say that word and I will cry
It’ll break my heart to hear you say goodbye
Mamma
You gave love to me
Turned a young one into a woman
Mamma
All I ever needed
Was a guarantee of you loving me
‘Cause I know
There is no other
Love like a mother’s love for her child
And it hurts so
That something so strong
Someday will be gone, must say goodbye
Goodbye’s the saddest word I’ll ever hear
Goodbye’s the last time I will hold you near
Someday you’ll say that word and I will cry
It’ll break my heart to hear you say goodbye
But the love you gave me will always live
You’ll always be there every time I fall
You offered me the greatest love of all
You take my weakness and you make me strong
And I will always love you ’til forever comes
And when you need me
I’ll be there for you always
I’ll be there your whole life through
I’ll be there this I promise you, Mamma
Mamma, I’ll be
I’ll be there through the darkest nights
I’ll be the wings that guide your broken flight
I’ll be your shelter through the raging storm
And I will love you ’till forever comes
Goodbye’s the saddest word I’ll ever hear
Goodbye’s the last time I will hold you near
Someday you’ll say that word and I will cry
It’ll break my heart to hear you say goodbye
‘Till we meet again…
Until then…
Goodbye
4. Julia – the Beatles
Half of what I say is meaningless
But I say it just to reach you,
Julia
Julia, Julia, oceanchild, calls me
So I sing a song of love, Julia
Julia, seashell eyes, windy smile, calls me
So I sing a song of love, Julia
Her hair of floating sky is shimmering, glimmering,
In the sun
Julia, Julia, morning moon, touch me
So I sing a song of love, Julia
When I cannot sing my heart
I can only speak my mind, Julia
Julia, sleeping sand, silent cloud, touch me
So I sing a song of love, Julia
Hum hum hum…calls me
So I sing a song of love for Julia, Julia, Julia
5. Jamie O’Neal -Somebody’s Hero
She`s never pulled anybody from a burning building
She`s never rocked Central Park to a half a million fans, screaming out her name
She`s never hit a shot to win the game
She`s never left her footprints on the moon
She`s never made a solo hot air balloon ride, around the world,
No, she`s just your everyday average girl (but)
She`s somebody`s hero
A hero to her baby with a skinned up knee
A little kiss is all she needs
The keeper of the cheerios
The voice that brings Snow White to life
Bedtime stories every night
And that smile lets her know
She`s somebody`s hero
She didn`t get a check every week like a nine-to fiver
But she`s been a waiter, and a cook and a taxi driver
For twenty years, there at home, until the day her girl was grown
Giving all her love to her was her life`s ambition
But now her baby`s movin` on, and she`ll soon be missin` her
But not today, those are tears of joy runnin` down her face
She`s somebody`s hero
A hero to her daughter in her wedding dress
She gave her wings to leave the nest
It hurts to let her baby go down the aisle she walks right by
Looks back into her mother`s eyes
And that smile lets her know
She`s somebody`s hero
Thirty years have flown right past
Her daughters` starin` at all the photographs
Of her mother, and she wishes she could be like that
Oh, but she already is
She`s somebody`s hero
A hero to her mother in a rockin` chair
She runs a brush through her silver hair
The envy of the nursing home
She drops by every afternoon
Feeds her mama with a spoon
And that smile lets her know
Her mother`s smile lets her know
She`s somebody`s hero
6. Taylor Swift – “The Best Day”
I’m 5 years old It’s getting cold out
Got my big coat on
I hear your laugh And look up at smilin at you
I run and run
Past the pumpkin patch and the tractor rides
Look now, the sky is gold
I hug your legs and fall asleep
On the way home
I don’t know why all the trees change in the fall oh oh
But I know you’re not scared of anything at all oh oh
Don’t know if Snow White’s house is near or far away
But I know I had the best day with you today
I’m 13 now and don’t know how my friends could be so mean
I come home crying and you hold me tight
And grab the keys
And we drive and drive until we found a town far enough away
And we talk and window shop til I forgotten
All their names
I don’t know who I’m gonna talk to now at school uh uh
But I know I’m laughin pn the car ride home with you uh uh
Don’t know how long it’s gonna take to feel okay but I know I had the best day
With you, today
I have an excellent father
His strength is making me stronger
God smiles on my little brother
Inside and out he’s better than nothin
I grew up in a pretty house
And I had space to run
And I had .. The Best Days with you
There is a video I found
From back when I was three
You set up a paint set in the kitchen
And you’re talkin’ to me
It’s the edge of princesses and pirate ships
And the seven dwarfs
My Daddy’s smart and you’re the prettiest lady in the whole wide world
Now I know why the all the trees change in the fall oh oh
I know you were on my side even when I was wrong
And I love you for giving me your eyes
Staying back and watching me shine
And I didn’t know if you knew
So I’m takin’ this chance to say
I had the best day
With you, today
7. MOTHER’S PRAYER – Celine Dion
I pray you’ll be my eyes
And watch her where she goes
And help her to be wise
Help me to let go
Every mother’s prayer
Every child knows
Lead her to a place
Guide her with your grace
To a place where she’ll be safe
I pray she finds your light
And holds it in her heart
As darkness falls each night
Remind her where you are
Every mother’s prayer
Every child knows
Need to find a place
Guide her to a place
Give her faith so she’ll be safe
Lead her to a place
Guide her with your grace
To a place where she’ll be safe.
8. SONG MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME – Charlotte Church
Songs my mother taught me
In the days long vanish’d
Seldom from her eyelids
Were the teardrops banish’d
Now I teach my children
Each melodious measure
oft the tears are flowing
oft they flow from my mem’ry treasure
9. Martina McBride – “In My Daughter’s Eyes”
In my daughter’s eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter’s eyes
In my daughter’s eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me
gives me strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter’s eyes
And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
It puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
It’s hangin’ on when your heart
has had enough
It’s giving more when you feel like giving up
I’ve seen the light
It’s in my daughter’s eyes
In my daughter’s eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she’ll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I’m gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I’ll be there
In my daughter’s eyes
10. Oh Mother (Christina Aguilera )
Whoa, oh, yeah,
She was so young with such innocent eyes
She always dreamt of a fairytale life
And all the things that your money can’t buy
She thought that he was a wonderful guy
Then suddenly, things seemed to change
It was the moment she took on his name
He took his anger out on her face
She kept all of her pain locked away
Oh mother, we’re stronger
From all of the tears you have shed
Oh mother, don’t look back
Cause he’ll never hurt us again
So mother, I thank you
For all that you’ve done and still do
You got me, I got you
Together we always pull through
We always pull through
We always pull through
Oh mother, oh mother, oh mother
It was the day that he turned on the kids
That she knew she just had to leave him
So many voices inside of her head
Saying over and over and over,
“You deserve much more than this.”
She was so sick of believing the lies and trying to hide
Covering the cuts and bruises (cuts and bruises)
So tired of defending her life, she could have died
Fighting for the lives of her children
Oh mother, we’re stronger
From all of the tears you have shed (all of the tears you have shed)
Oh mother, don’t look back
Cause he’ll never hurt us again (he’ll never hurt us again)
So mother, I thank you (thank you)
For all that you’ve done and still do (still do)
You got me, I got you, (yeah you got me and I got you)
Together we always pull through.
Oh mother, oh mother, oh mother
All of your life you have spent
burying hurt and regret
But mama, he’ll never touch us again
For everytime he tried to bring you down
Just remember who stood around
It’s over, and we’re stronger
And we’ll never have to go back again
Oh mother, we’re stronger
From all of the tears you have shed
Oh mother, don’t look back (oh mother don’t look back again)
Cause he’ll never hurt us again (cause he’ll never hurt us again)
So mother, I thank you (and I thank you for all that you’ve done)
For all that you’ve done and still do (together we always move on)
You got me, I got you, (you got me, I got you)
Together we always pull through (always pull through)
We always pull through
We always pull through
I love you mom
11. “You’ll Be In My Heart” – Phil Collins
Come stop your crying
It will be all right
Just take my hand, Hold it tight
I will protect you
from all around you
I will be here
Don’t you cry
For one so small,
you seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can’t be broken
I will be here
Don’t you cry
‘Cause you’ll be in my heart
Yes, you’ll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You’ll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You’ll be here in my heart, always
Why can’t they understand
the way we feel
They just don’t trust
what they can’t explain
I know we’re different but,
deep inside us
We’re not that different at all
And you’ll be in my heart
Yes, you’ll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
Don’t listen to them
‘Cause what do they know
We need each other,
to have, to hold
They’ll see in time
I know
When destiny calls you
You must be strong
I may not be with you
But you’ve got to hold on
They’ll see in time
I know
We’ll show them together
‘Cause you’ll be in my heart
Yes, you’ll be in my heart
From this day on,
Now and forever more
Oh, you’ll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You’ll be in my heart, always
Always
12. DON’T FORGET TO REMEMBER ME ( Carrie Underwood)
18 years have come and gone
For momma they flew by
But for me they drug on and on
We were loading up that Chevy
Both tryin’ not to cry
Momma kept on talking
Putting off good-bye
Then she took my hand and said
‘Baby don’t forget
Before you hit the highway
You better stop for gas
There’s a 50 in the ashtray
In case you run short on cash
Here’s a map and here’s a Bible
If you ever lose your way
Just one more thing before you leave
Don’t forget to remember me’
This downtown apartment sure makes me miss home
And those bills there on the counter
Keep telling me I’m on my own
And just like every Sunday I called momma up last night
And even when it’s not, I tell her everything’s alright
Before we hung up I said
‘Hey momma, don’t forget to tell my baby sister I’ll see her in the fall
And tell mee-ma that I miss her
Yeah, I should give her a call
And make sure you tell Daddy that I’m still his little girl
Yeah, I still feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be
Don’t forget to remember me’
Tonight I find myself kneeling by the bed to pray
I haven’t done this in a while
So I don’t know what to say but
‘Lord I feel so small sometimes in this big ol’ place
Yeah, I know there are more important things,
But don’t forget to remember me
But don’t forget to remember me’
BONUSES :
1. Bài DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW do ABBA trinh diễn
2. Bài MAMMA MIA do ABBA trinh diễn
3. HOLY MOTHER do Eric Clapton, Pavarotti trình diễn













































