The Brown Eugenia Flower

(Thabyenyo)

(Min Thu Wun)

Lo and behold! Eugenia leaves on his head

I’m also wearing the same on my cap!

Handed down by our mothers in our land

No wonder they are still fresh and fire brand

Never wilting Eugenia leaves, so grand!

Don’t despair for independence, my dear!

The sound of palace drum is approaching near

It’s being carried in the sweet breeze to hear.

When the cock crows in the early morn

Let’s celebrate together on the parade ground

Welcoming the arrival of the palace drum sound

Beating the victory drum galore in aurora around

Wearing the brown Shwebo Eugenia leaves aplomb

Let’s march in might and mane now!

Min Thu Wun (1909-2004)

(1938, England)

Translation Dr Maung Maung Nyo

27.8.2009

N.B.: (1) Tha Bye Nyo is brown Eugenia leaves that Burmes take as flower.

it's usually regarded as a sign of victory and auspiciousness.

(2) Min Thu Wun was composing the poem in advance of

Burma's independence that he anticipated in 1938 while

studying at Oxford in England.

(3) Shwebo is the birth place of the great King Alaungpaya the

Conqueror of Burma who established the Third Burmese Dynasty.