Bui-Doi
Peter Polycarpou Lyrics
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The dust of life.
Conceived in Hell,
And born in strife.
They are the living reminder of all the good we failed to do.
We can't forget
Must not forget
That they are all our children, too.
Like all survivors I once thought
When I'm home I won't give a damn
But now I know I'm caught, I'll never leave Vietnam
War isn't over when it ends, some pictures never leave you mind.
They are the faces of the children the ones we left behind
They're called Bui-doi.
The dust of life, conceived in hell and born in strife
They are the living reminders of all the good we failed to do
We can't forget, must not forget, that they are all our children too
These kids hit walls on ev'ry side, they don't belong in any place.
Their secret they can't hide it's printed on their face.
I never thought one day I'd plead
For half-breeds from a land that's torn
But then I saw a camp for children whose crime was being born
They're called Bui-Doi, the dust of life conceived in hell and born in strife.
We owe them fathers and a family a loving home they never knew.
Because we know deep in our hearts that they are all our children too.
These are souls in need, they need us to give
Someone has to pay for their chance to live
Help me try
They're called Bui-Doi.
The dust of life.
Conceived in Hell,
And born in strife.
They are the living reminders of all the good we failed to do.
That's why we know
That's why we know
Deep in our hearts
Deep in our hearts
That's why we know
That they are all our children, too.
The song "Bui-Doi" by Peter Polycarpou is a tribute to the children known as Bui-Doi, which means "dust of life" in Vietnamese, who were fathered by American men and born to Vietnamese women during the Vietnam War. The lyrics describe the harsh reality of these children who were conceived in Hell and born in strife. They are a reminder of all the good that was failed to be done during the war, and how we cannot forget that they too are our children.
The song's narrator starts by acknowledging these children as Bui-Doi and how they are the living reminders of our failure to protect the innocent during the war. He talks about how they are often left behind and forgotten, and how it is our responsibility to remember that they too are our children. The singer then reflects on his own experience of the war, where he thought he could forget everything once he made it home, but realizes that the memories of the war and its aftermath will never leave him.
The chorus then repeats the message of the song, emphasizing the importance of not forgetting the Bui-Doi children and how they are a part of our responsibility to do good in the world. The second verse describes how these children don't belong anywhere, and how their mixed heritage is often printed on their faces. It then describes a camp for children, whose only crime was being born, which leads the singer to plead for half-breeds in a land that is torn. The final chorus repeats the message of the earlier chorus, as does the final verse, which asks the audience for their help in giving these children a chance to live.
Line by Line Meaning
They're called Bui-Doi.
Referring to the mixed-race Vietnamese children left behind by American soldiers as they returned home.
The dust of life.
Their existence appears worthless and meaningless to others.
Conceived in Hell, and born in strife.
These children are the products of a war-torn nation and its people.
They are the living reminder of all the good we failed to do.
These children symbolize the good deeds and compassion that could have been shown by those who abandoned them.
We can't forget, must not forget, that they are all our children, too.
Regardless of their origins and challenges, these children are deserving of recognition, care, and compassion from all.
War isn't over when it ends, some pictures never leave you mind.
Some memories and pain of war linger, haunting and affecting individuals long after the conflict's end.
They are the faces of the children the ones we left behind
These children represent the forgotten and vulnerable victims of the war, having been abandoned by those whose protection and care they depended on.
These kids hit walls on ev'ry side, they don't belong in any place.
These children experience discrimination and exclusion by society, not feeling at home anywhere.
Their secret they can't hide it's printed on their face.
Their mixed heritage is apparent and exposed, which results in prejudice and a lack of acceptance by others.
We owe them fathers and a family a loving home they never knew.
It is the responsibility of society to provide these children with a sense of belonging, a family, and a loving home.
Because we know deep in our hearts that they are all our children too.
Every child is worthy of care, compassion, and protection, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or origin. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every child is given a chance to thrive.
Contributed by Cameron I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@erinw4935
This is the best version I've found on YouTube thus far, and it's all in the acting. A lot of the time this song is performed as a righteous and tired man pleading to an uncaring public, trying to care about what he does. He's wise and is acting as though he has something to impart.
In this version, the original version, this is not John trying to teach a lesson. This is an admission of guilt. He feels responsible as well and owns his own culpability. The vocal gymnastics in other versions can start to sound triumphant or even saccharine to me. John is much more composed, embarrassed, and somber in this version, which I feel redeems the earlier John we see much better.
With most versions, John can come across as a self-righteous ass in this song. Who is he to take the moral high ground? Here, John has seen the error in his freewheeling ways back in Vietnam, and knows he could very well have his own bui doi somewhere. He is not condemning a separate group, he is blowing the whistle on something he is directly involved in, and by doing so, admitting to a terrible thing he did himself. He isn't proud and he isn't a teacher. He's just here to try and make reparations for something he did.
Very beautiful, and a great way to immediately place John on higher ground than Chris at the top of the second act. In the first, Chris is unwilling to participate and has a lot morally on John. Now, it's Chris' turn in the barrel, while we see John's earned emotional maturity.
@sarahfarragher1092
Such an amazing voice.. So beautiful.. Don't like it when John's mess around with the tune when it's so beautiful to begin with.. He sings it with raw passion and simplicity... Perfection..
@stevenbruening9908
I am a bui-doi as is my sister. I left Saigon on April 10th of 1975 - 20 days before the Fall of Saigon. This song hits me hard and hits my adoptive mother even harder - she had to walk out of the Theatre when they started doing this piece.
@mirandabeesleybarboza8106
Steven Bruening I just finished watching the musical and it really touched me. I really hope you and your sister have lived a very good life. ❤️
@SanRafaelSwell
You are our American brother.
@carolinewhitaker967
Absolutely Steven! 👍
@carolinewhitaker967
Sorry to here that Stephen, I had rape after fertility treatment! Unfortunately, not like the the US marines on this video, I was abandoned by every sperm donor! I pray for help every day for security, for love, for motivation!
@Lambert1878
Steven, I'm a lad from England. I can never imagine what you an your sister have gone through. But I hope yous are doing well. But this is my favourite song from this musical
@chloebutler8438
It makes me sad to hear that a lot of people don't even understand this song.
@dolphinsandsunsets
my heart is torn each time i hear this song.
@sssyyylllvvviiiiaaa
I watched miss saigon in the netherlands. this song came on and I saw those kids, those kids in the vidoe's were the real kids in vietnam. being the mother of a child from a blond dutch woman and an african father it hit me, what if things ever go bad here, what if there comes a civil war? or if racial hate gets worse. this song means a lot to me because I do realise what can happen. and I hope and pray that it never will....... so far so good. but the world is changing. strange thing was that one of the 2 friends I was with that evening looked at me when the half african little girl in the video showed and it just hit me, she saw my reaction and knew what just happened. she totally understood.
@waterwind2266
The first time I heard Miss Saigon, I was like, "Wow, this sounds a lot like Les Mis." Then I looked at the composer, and I was like, "Oh, that's why."