Gift Song of Sin Sisamuth

Best Song of Akthireach Somleng Meas Sin Sisamuth

Seng Dara, Description on Khmer Oldies Song "Thmo Kol Sromorl Snae"

Lyric of “Kom Bomplech Bopha Angkor”, Sung by: SIN Sisamut, ROS Sereysothea, and others

I. (ប)៖ស្រណោះប្រាសាទអង្គរ ((រួម)៖ក្បាច់ល្អបវរ ចិត្តសែនអាល័យ) កាលណោះជួបឆោមពិសី ((រួម)៖យើងកាន់ដៃគ្នា ដើរលេងកំសាន្ត) ល្អម្ល៉េះទេប្រាសាទបុរាណ ((រួម)៖ល្អម្ល៉េះទេប្រាសាទបុរាណ យើងបានទៅលេងស្រះស្រង់) ផ្កាឈូករីកល្អផូរផង់​ ((រួម)៖ផ្កាឈូករីកល្អផូរផង់)​ ពេលថ្ងៃត្រង់នៅបន្ទាយស្រី ឱ!បុប្ផាក្រអូបពេញព្រៃ ភ្លៀងធ្លាក់រួចថ្មីៗ លឺតែរៃយំគ្រលួច ​((រួម)៖លឺតែរៃយំគ្រលួច)។

(M):Sro-Nos-Pra-Sat-Ang-Kor ((M+F):Kbach-La-Or-Bo-Vor Chit-Sen-A-Lay) Kal-Nos-Chuob-Chhorm-Pi-Sey ((M+F):Yeung-Kan-Dai-Knea Deur-Leng-Kom-San) La-Or-Mles-Te-Pra-Sat-Bo-Ran ((M+F): La-Or-Mles-Te-Pra-Sat-Bo-Ran Yeung-Ban-Tov-Leng-Sras-Srong) Pka-Chhouk-Rik-La-Or-Pho-Phong ((M+F):Pka-Chhouk-Rik-La-Or-Pho-Phong)

Pel-Thngay-Trong-Nov-Bon-Teay-Srey Or-Bo-Pha-Kro-Ob-Penh-Prey Phleang-Thleak-Ruoch-Thmey-Thmey Leu-Tae-Rey-Yum-Krou-Luoch ((M+F):Leu-Tae-Rey-Yum-Krou-Luoch).

II. (ប)៖ទៅមើលប្រាសាទតាព្រហ្ម ((រួម)៖មើលអង្គរធំ ចិត្តសែនព្រឺព្រួច)​ ដើរលេងវង់ធំវង់តូច ((រួម)៖សប្បាយហាក់ដូច ឃើញឋានសួគ៌ា)​ អង្គរវត្តធ្លាប់ជួបជុំគ្នា ((រួម)៖អង្គរវត្តធ្លាប់ជួបជុំគ្នា  ចន្ទ្រារះពេញបូណ៌មី) រាំវង់ទាំងប្រុសទាំងស្រី​((រួម)៖រាំវង់ទាំងប្រុសទាំងស្រី) ក្នុងរាត្រីក្រអូបតែផ្កា ពេលបែកគ្នាអូនស្រក់ទឹកនេត្រា អូនយំផ្តាំបងថា កុំបំភ្លេចបុប្ផាអង្គរ ((រួម)៖កុំបំភ្លេចបុប្ផាអង្គរ)។

(M):Tov-Meul-Pra-Sat-Ta-Prum ((M+F):Meul-Ang-Kor-Thom Chit-Sen-Preu-Pruoch) Deur-Leng-Vong-Thom-Vong-Toch ((M+F):Sab-Bay-Hak-Doch Keunh-Than-Suor-Kea) Ang-Kor-Wat-Thloab-Chuob-Chum-Knea ((M+F):Ang-Kor-Wat-Thloab-Chuob-Chum-Knea Chan-Trea-Reas-Penh-Bo-Ro-Mey) Rom-Vong-Teaing-Bros-Teaing-Srey ((M+F):Rom-Vong-Teaing-Bros-Teaing-Srey) Knong-Rea-Trey-Kro-Ob-Tae-Pka Pel-Bek-Knea-Oun-Srork-Teuk-Ne-Tra Oun-Yum-Pdam-Bong-Tha Kom-Bom-Phlech-Bo-Pha-Ang-Kor ((M+F): Kom-Bom-Phlech-Bo-Pha-Ang-Kor).

(ភ្លេងរួចច្រៀងទាំងអស់ឡើងវិញ)

(Music....Then Sing All Again)

Lyric of “Anusavry Bey Srok”, Sung by: SIN Sisamut and ROS Sereysothea

I. (ប)៖ឱ!ទួលបាកាន វិមានដួងចិត្ត បងជួបវរមិត្រ ក្បែរផ្នូរតាមឿង (ស)៖ថ្ងៃនោះបងបាន អោយផ្កាស្បៃរឿង មួយទងពណ៌លឿង អូនសៀតកេសា។

(M): Or!Tuol-Ba-Kan Vi-Mean-Duong-Chit Bong-Chuob-Vor-Mit Kbae-Phnor-Ta-Moeung (F):Thngay-Nus-Bong-Ban Oy-Pka-Sbay-Roeung Muoy-Toung-Por-Loeung Oun-Seat-Ke-Sa.

II. (ប)៖គ្រានោះឋិតមាស ស្ងួនម្ចាស់បេះដូង បងជាក្តាមគ្រោង លង់ស្រែជីវ៉ា (ស)៖ដូចដែលក្តាមស្មោះ​ សូមស្បថអក្ខរា គង់តែវាសនា ដាក់ទានស្នេហ៍ស្នង។

(M):Krea-Nus-Thit-Meas Snguon-Mchas-Bes-Doung Bong-Chea-Kdam-Kroung Lung-Srae-Chi-Va (F):Doch-Dael-Kdam-Smors Som-Sbot-Ak-Ka-Ra Kung-Tae-Vea-Na Dak-Tean-Snae-Snorng.

III. (ប)៖កំពុងសង្ឃឹម កម្មយើងត្រូវព្រាត់ (ស)៖យើងឃ្លាតពោធិសាត់ ដល់បាត់ដំបង (ប)៖បងជួបអូនទៀត នៅដំណាក់ហ្លួង (ស)៖ ស្បៃរឿងមួយទង ក្បែរបងឥតឃ្លាត។

(M):Kom-Pung-Song-Kheum Kam-Yeung-Trov-Prot (F):Yeung-Kleat-Pur-Sat Dol-Bat-Dam-Bang (M):Bong-Chuob-Oun-Teat Nov-Dom-Nak-Luong (F):Sbay-Roeung-Muoy-Toung Kbae-Bong-Et-Kleat.

R. (ប)៖ម្តងនេះយើងស្គាល់ ចិត្តគ្នាច្បាស់ហើយ (ស)៖តែប្រុសបងអ្ហើយ កម្មយើងរវាត ព្រោះអូនត្រូវរៀប ការនឹងគេទៀត (ប)៖ម្តាយអូនជ្រែកជ្រៀត អោយយើងសែនខ្វល់។

(M):Mdong-Nis-Yeung-Skoal Chit-Knea-Chbas-Heuy (F):Tae-Bros-Bong-H’Euy Kam-Yeung-Ro-Veat Pruos-Oun-Tov-Reab Kar-Neung-Ke-Teat.

ភ្លេង.............................

Music...........................

IV. (ប)៖ដើម្បីស្នេហ៍ពិត យើងនាំគ្នាឆ្លង ពីបាត់ដំបង ទៅរតនមណ្ឌល (ស)៖ប៉ៃលិនសុខសាន្ត សុភមង្គល ក្រោមម្លប់ដើមថ្កុល ក្បែរអូរតាពុក។

(M):Deum-Bey-Snae-Pit Yeung-Nom-Knea-Chlong Pi-Bat-Dam-Bang Tov-Rat-Ta-Nak-Mon-Dul (F):Pai-Lin-Sok-San So-Pheak-Meang-Kul Krom-Mlub-Deum-Thkol Kbae-Our-Ta-Puk.

V. (ប)៖ឱ!ភ្នំយ៉ាតស្ពានយោល ស្រមោលកម្មផល (ស)៖នឹកដល់អនុ-​ ស្សាវរីយ៍បីស្រុក (ប)៖ស្បៃរឿងបងអ្ហើយ តទៅថ្ងៃមុខ (រួម)៖ឆ្អឹងយើងផ្ញើទុក នឹងប៉ៃលិនហើយ។

(M):Or!Phnom-Yat-Spean-Youl Sro-Morl-Kam-Phal (F):Neuk-Dol-Ak-Nu Sav-Ry-Bey-Srok (M):Sbay-Roeung-Bong-H’Euy To-Tov-Thngay-Muk (M+F):Chha-Eung-Yeung-Pnheu-Tuk Neung-Pai-Lin-Heuy.

SIN Sisamuth - ស៊ីន ស៊ីសាមុត “Akthireach Samleng Meas” (Golden Voice of Cambodia)

ស៊ីន ស៊ីសាមុត

SIN Sisamuth

SIN Sisamuth was the most famous singer and talent lyricist in Cambodia before Pol Pot Regime, titled “Akthireach Samleng Meas”. His voice is soft and very sweet to listen. He sang different kind of songs like traditional (Romvong, Lam Leav, Saravan…), Rock & Roll, Twist, Jerk, Jazz, Cha Cha Cha, Ago Go, Madison, Hala Hala, Mambo, Ayai, Yikae, Chapey, Bassac, emotional, etc. He was born on August 23, 1932 in Steung Treng Province. On the day of his birth, there was the strange phenomenon that all the chicken in the village shouted as the welcome for his birth in the year of rooster. SIN Sisamuth had four siblings; two brothers and two sisters. He was the youngest child in the family. His father, SIN Leang, was the prison guard in Battambang Province and the former revolutionized soldier against the French Colonial; later he died because of serious illness. SIN Sisamuth used to live with his father some time in Battambang Province. His mother, SEB Bunlei, was a Laotian-Chinese; after the death of his father, she remarried and gave birth to another two children.

SIN Sisamuth was considered as serious and helpful. He was a quiet man and some days talked only a few words per day; he usually locked the door of his room and concentrated on song writing. In writing songs, he usually consulted with three different dictionaries (Khmer, Pali, and Sanskrit) to choose the right words carefully. His house in 1970s was near Tuol Tumpong Market (Russian Market) along the road 454 in Phnom Penh today. His favorite food is Laotian and Khmer food including Prohok and Pha Ork Trey; he did not have alcoholic drinks, chili, pepper and cigarette since it affected his voice. Additionally, one of his friend said that while he and SIN Sisamuth was drinking coffee in the morning; SIN Sisamuth talked and felt unconscious about the amount of sugar he had put into his coffee. Therefore, it means that SIN Sisamuth did not take much sweet things that might cause problems to his voice. It should be noticed that after finishing performing, he usually ate porridge with his co-workers and SIV Sun was an administrative person as secretary of SIN Sisamuth to arrange the documents tidily and assist SIN Sisamuth in other administrative tasks. In his free time, he likes playing soccer and flying kites. Besides, he likes watching film, Khmer and French. He could speak Khmer, Lao, Thai, French and English very well.

He attended the primary school in Steung Treng Town when he was five years old. He was a smart and kind boy reading books during his free time; everyone in the school liked him. He also showed his interest in music when he was 6 years old, his school usually called him to play guitar during the special ceremony. Furthermore, he usually visited the nearby pagoda studying more from monks about Khmer Literature, Pali, Sanskrit, and the articles on Buddhism. His hard working brought a success for higher education. In 1951, he moved to Phnom Penh to pursue his higher degree in Health Science staying with his uncle; he rarely went out and just stayed at home after school. Being interested in singing and musical writing, he strived very hard to learn by himself for both skills. His talent showed up in the college being popular among students and professors. He was usually nominated to sing and play musical instruments during the college ceremony. Simultaneously, he created a band, Preah Chan Reaksmey, consisting of 9 members. In early 1953, his band became so famous in Phnom Penh and was invited to join the national radio band, Reach Sey. Then he sang in many occasions such as wedding ceremony, radio program, etc. His parents were not happy about him taking singing career, but he had to pursue what he likes from birth.

In 1953, he became a famous radio singer singing and writing music using mandolin. Simultaneously, he graduated from college in the major of Health Science and also worked for Preah Keto Mealea Hospital besides singing career. After that, he married his cousin, KHAO Thorng Gnut, as the arrangement of older people in the family and got four children for the following years. He used to challenge in a singing contest in Phnom Penh and got the second rank since he lacked of gesture while he was singing. In fact, everyone believed that he had the greatest voice and would get the first rank if he used gesture well. His fame had been quickly well-known and the information was brought to Queen SISOWATH Kosomak Nearyrath Sereyvathana, the mother of King NORODOM Shihanouk. She invited SIN Sisamuth to join the royal band singing for the formal occasions of the Royal Palace.

One of royal songs sung by SIN Sisamuth was “Romvong Ekareach” to alert all Cambodian residents to show their happiness and solidarity for Khmer Independent. Also, he and his friend, SOS Mat was appointed by Queen SISOWATH Kosomak as the permanent nurse in the Royal Palace, too.  Since then SIN Sisamuth gained more respect and honor from the public and royal group; he was filmed in King Shihanouk’s movies singing with SIENG Dy still remained until now. In the 1950s, he pursued his singing career in public with other singers and lyricists like SIENG Dy, MAO Sareth, KEO Setha, POV Sipho, SVAY Som Oeur, HASS Salorn, MA Laopi, SOS Mat, MAE Bun, etc. In Sangkum Reastr Niyum Regime, SIN Sisamut usually followed King NORODOM Shihanouk to overseas singing. The King’s songs he sang were “Phnom Penh”, “Reatrey Chuob Pheak” (with KEO Setha), Tassana Krong Phnom Penh (with MAO Sareth), and so on. Other famous songs are Somros Chhnae Kep, Chong Srol, Violin Snaeha, Anusavry Phnom Kravanh, Srey Sros Khmeng, Prek Eng Os Sangkheum, Steung Pursat, etc. Unfortunately, his fame caused the family conflicts and his wife went back to Steung Treng Province being a nun.

His voice became sweeter and sweeter. In 1963, he sang the song “Champa Battambang” quickly catching the attentions of all Cambodian people; this song was broadcasted as the first song on Khmer TV in 1965 according to his interview on TV in 1971. In this 1960s, his popularity went to the peak of his fame. He started to sing with next generation singers like SO Savoeurn, DY Saveth, PEN Rorn (1966), ROS Sereysothea (1967), HUY Meas, IN Yeng, MEAS Samorn, HEM Sovan, etc. Singing not only in Khmer, he also sang in English, French, and Thai. Therefore, he got an innovative idea to mix the music of foreign and Khmer together creating very good songs. In 1967, he wrote and sang the song “Champei Siem Reap” for his wife; they lived together again. He continued to write more songs; his songs were more famous with his new singing partner, ROS Sereysothea. Unfortunately, ROS Sereysothea returned to Battambang Province because of the conflicts with her husband, SOS Math. Facing such situation, he took action to recover by persuading ROS Sereysothea to come back and protected her from the disturbance of SOS Math. One day, he stood to prevent SOS Math disturb ROS Sereysothea while they were singing together the song “Kort Bros Mok Khmol”. He said he was the one to take her there, so he must the one to protect her. Then SOS Math left there quickly.

On March 18, 1970 the coup d’état in Phnom Penh caused a change to the life of SIN Sisamut. He was forced to sing the patriotic songs against King Shihanouk and Khmer Rouge Army even though he paid respect and trust to King Shihanouk and Royal Family. Those patriotic songs are “Lea Srey Tov Chbaing”, “Samrek Chheam Khmer”, “Lea Pov Tov Bomreu Chiet”, “Bong Ba’Oun Bei Neak”, etc. In this regime, he did not have enough time to write songs, so most of the songs he sang were written exclusively by other lyricist VOY Hor. His voice still kept him the most famous male singer in Cambodia from the early 1950s to the mid 1970s. In 1974, King of Thailand called him to live in Thailand and be a singer for Thai nation instead of Cambodia. Being wrong to think that way for SIN Sisamut, he would devote his life to die in his homeland better than running away, so he refused to that request.

On April 17, 1975, SIN Sisamut forced to leave Phnom Penh separately from his family for Koh Thom district, Kandal Province. On the way, he met KONG Bunchhoeurn and talked a while; a Khmer Rouge Officer came with the radio broadcasting his song and asked him whether that is his voice (Nis Chea Samleng Mith Men Te?). One month later in Koh Thom District, he was forced by Khmer Rouge officers to sing the songs for Khmer Rouge Regime, but he failed to satisfy the Khmer Rouge Officers. On May 18, 1976, he was killed; before he was killed, he asked the Khmer Rouge Officers to sing a patriotic song as the last voice of his life. Somehow when he finished, they killed him immediately. His wife and two children among four children were alive after this black regime.

In conclusion, life of SIN Sisamut (1932-1976), Cambodia’s Golden Voice, was a real experience for all people to study and learn. Being so sad to lose such a talent person from Cambodia; not only his talent in arts and medical skill, but his strong supports on his nation was gone with his soul. He died with less hope for the future of Cambodia; but his soul will see the development of Cambodia today and keep smiling again for the future prosperity of Cambodia. “Even though there is the death in front, believe and trust on own nation will never be forgotten!” 

(Source: Wikipedia on SIN Sisamuth in Khmer Version and other sources)

By: POK Panhavuth

Sangker River as “The Blood System of Battambang”

Sangker River in Battambang, Cambodia

Sangker River is the main source of water for agriculture and daily uses in Battambang Province besides the Great Lake. It flows into the Tonle Sap Lake (Great Lake) from Kravanh Mountain (Cardamom Mountain) in the area near Thailand-Cambodia Borders. Sangker River has become the symbol for Battambang since it is known through many famous songs of Sin Sisamuth, Ros Sereysothea, Huy Meas, Pen Rorn, In Yeng, etc. 

Through the body of this river, some places in the area on the foot of Kravanh Mountain are considered as the most attractive destination for both local tourists and international tourists in this province such as Chamlong Kuy Rapid, Sek Sork Rapid, Pechchinda Rapid, Chrolong Bopata Rapid, etc. These spots are not only the place for tourist to swim and play with water, but also to relax, to take photos, and to enjoy the scene of the nature like forest, sound of the bird & wild animal, flow of natural water over many stone in the middle of the river, and so on. Significantly, those resorts are gaining more recognition from all tourists when the smooth national road 57A was repaired to provide comforts for travelling not like before which was difficult to travel. Sangker River has also provided many fish every year, especially during 1980s in which the river was full of fish rather than today. 

Furthermore, this river looked so beautiful with the clean and mirror-like water before Pol Pot Regime in contrast to nowadays that it has changed to the dusty river in which caused by mining activities for gems and washing those in the river as the responsibility of most Thai businessmen with the permission from the local authorities in Pailin Province during 1980s and 1990s. Even though there is the bad effect on Sangker River, it still plays an important role until today to provide water for agricultural activities throughout the most land of Battambang and Khmer people living in Battambang also use water from this river to use in either daily activity or business. 

More than that, Sangker River has been the main water way for medium boat or small ship to travel from Battambang to other ports & vice versa since the former regime. Last but not least, this river is used every year for provincial boat racing festival (Water Festival) in order to choose the best racing boat to challenge with other racing boat from other provinces of Cambodia in the biggest Water Festival in Phnom Penh. 

In brief, I think Sangker River is really important as it is the blood system for Battambang with many advantages for local people in many generations. I would like to suggest the governor of Battambang to keep their attention on the river protection and please try to recover the good view of the water in this river if possible in the future. I do believe that one day Sangker River will be the “Diamond River or Blue River” of Battambang again.

By: POK Panhavuth

Happy Khmer New Year in Battambang! Happy New Development!

"New Stone Bridge across Sangker River instead of Iron Bridge in Battambang City"

Battambang City is the provincial center of Battamban Province. During Khmer New Year 2010 there, many new infrastructure was seen in the city and also in other part of Battambang. New tall buildings, especially new hotels have been built welcoming the increasing tourists and travelers come to Battambang. Furthermore, several new bridges were constructed completely for peolple living in this province get across The Sangker River easily for their daily lives. Moreover, there are new smooth rubber streets in Battambang City which have been built over the dusty road for making Khmer Citizens there more comfortable. Another development that is conducted for Battambang is the new smooth national road number 57A (previously called national road number 10 since Sangkum Reastr Niyum Regime) with new short bridges along it run from Battambang City to Pailin Province. By seeing these new developments for Battambang, there is the admiration for the efforts of Royal Government of Cambodia and its civil servants, especially Samdech Primeminister Hun Sen about smart ideas for leading the ship of The Kingdom of Cambodia as The Kingdom of Wonder towards the new developed and properous era in the near future and for spreading the good prestige of Cambodia and her culture nowadays to tell other nations throughout the world. Finally, there is the hope and strong belief on The Royal Government of Cambodia to bring more new development for the land of Battambang as "The Land of Hope" in the northwest region of The Kingdom of Cambodia.

By: Pok Panhavuth

"New Good-Looking National Road 57A Run From Battambang City to Pailin Province"

"Underconstructing Surrounding Battambang City Road Connected National Road Number 5 to National Road 57A"

Battambang Province Overview

Battambang Province is the most famous rice producing province and a second biggest city in Cambodia. It locates in the northwest area near Tonle Sap Lake (Boeung Tonle Sap). It has boundary with Thailand (Changwat Trat, Changwat Chanthaburi, and Changwat Sakeo). Locally, it connected with Pailin Province, Banteay Meanchey Province, Siem Reap Province, Pursat Province, and Tonle Sap Lake (Great Lake). Noticeably, Banteay Meanchey used to be the part of Battambang Province and it was separated as Banteay Meanchey Province since 1987. It had been in peace again when civil war in Cambodia finished in 1998. Nowadays, Battambang has a population of 1,025,174 people equal 7.65% of the Cambodia's total population (2008 Cambodian Citizens Census). Most people are living in the rice field area and usually do the farming. However, many people living in Battambang city are likely to do business or work for private sector (Investing Company) and public sector (Royal Government of Cambodia). Furthermore, Battambang people, especially students are studious to learn foreign languages like Japanese, Chinese, English, French, Thai... Therefore, Battambang is now potential for tourism and foreign investment because most of Khmer Battambang can communicate well with foreigner. Finally, Battambang can be considered as "The Land of hope".

By: POK Panhavuth