Seong Kho Fon - Phya Khan Khaak
A Rain Request Song
This song is from Isan, the northeastern region of Thailand. A Lao speaking population is the majority there.
The theme of this song comes from the Isan fertility myth. It's about a war against the Rain God, Phya Thaen. Thaen caused a drought in the land because he was jealous of the king, Phya Khankhaak. In retaliation, Phya Khankhaak sent a great army to heaven to fight Phya Thaen. The army included humans, animals, angels and demons. Phya Khankhaak won and got Thaen to agree to make it rain. This song is about the battle.
The Lao text is the phonetic version of the song.
Seong Kho Fon - Phya Khan Khaak
Rain Request Song - The Toad King
Traditional Song
Traditional Song
(Lao)
(English)
(Refrain)
Oh hao Oh hao Oh hao oh,
Paad Thing tho Thaen Man Pen Hay
Man Bo Hai Fon Thok Long Maa
Maa Hao Maa Maa Su Kab Thaen
Fung Mu Nan Tho Taen Phoeng Mim
Naa Jim Lim Maen Kwang Thaa Ngaam
Lueng Alaam Thavabud Thavada
Fung Mu Nii Kop Ung Khiet Paad
Ngaam Aad laad Khut Naak Sing To
(Refrain)
Fung Mu Nan Mod Puag Maa Mii
Fung Mu Nii Hung Men Hen Sue
Ngaam Lon Lue Kai Kaew Hong Thong
Khuk Kha Nong Ling Kang Saang Maa
Yu Thaang Naa Baang Lua Nok Khao
(Refrain)
(Chorus)
Oh, oh, what a woe!
Thaen has been our foe,
For he refused to bestow rain to earth.
Come all of us. Let us go to fight Thaen.
From that crowd come wasps, hornets, and bees.
Those beautiful creatures are deer with bright eyes.
Those with golden bodies are beautiful angels or devata.
This crowd of beings are frogs and toads of all kinds.
Those dignified animals are garuda, naga, and lions.
(Chorus)
Those approaching are woodmites, termites, dogs and bears.
And these are eagles, porcupines, civet cats, and tigers.
Those splendid creatures are pheasants and swans.
Those cheerful creatures are apes, monkeys, elephants and horses.
Those in the front row are flying lemurs and cuckoo birds.
(Chorus)
Notes
*(Phya) Thaen is the rain god
You can read more about the Toad King Myth here.
Comments
If anyone can provide the song lyrics in the original Lao text, please email me. Thanks! -Mama Lisa
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Jim Henry for allowing us to use this song from the Lao Language and Culture Resources Center at Northern Illinois University.
ຂອບໃຈ (khàwp ja̖i)
