This afternoon without you, the rain from the high mountains flooded the valleys

The young soldiers have grown up, carrying swords and knives to the village

This afternoon without you, some  corpses lie on the rooftop

Alone, feeling a stinging cold pain in my heart, heading south to find my own shadow

Who destroyed the ancient temple in the inner city?

The Tràng Tiền Bridge, stained with the color of blood

Oh Fragrance River, the boats docked at the wharf, with no one crossing the ferry

Just once, but it lingers forever

And this afternoon without you, the old streets are landmines

I am someone who clears the land, collecting my own corpse and others'

For the rice fields to stay green, for the rising new generation

And oh dear, please don't forget, oh dear, please don't forget

The path into the city, rows of trees bare of leaves

Ngu Binh Hill, dry bones and stones

Oh Kim Long, the pagoda gong has gone silent

Just once, but it lingers forever

And this afternoon without you, the streets remain dark

I am someone in the night, carrying a torch into the inner city

I want to be the one who lights the way and erases all the pain

And oh dear, please don't forget, oh dear, please don't forget

Translated by Vuong Thanh, 2023