Pao Ly (Lis Pos)
Lis Pos started singing in 1978 for the Phooj Ywg Band in Nongkhai, Thailand. In 1977, approximately 15,000 youths lived in the Nongkhai camp. Due to the lack of school for these youths, Mr. Teng Lee, a law school graduate in the country of Laos established a youth organization. The purpose was to provide decent education and entertainment as well as other activities for the Hmong youths in the camp. Phooj Ywg Band was established through the youth organization under the leadership of Mr. Vue Yee. Mr. Vue was one of the Hmong song writer, and he also played the guitar at the time.
Lis Pos initially volunteered to practice singing with the band. Amazing, his voice was smooth, gentle and attractive to the Hmong population, children, women, and men of all ages. Phooj Ywg performed drama along with songs, like "Opera", during the Hmong New Year Celebration in 1978. After the New Year, Phooj Ywg became popular. Even today, many of the children and those who had grown up in Thailand are still looking for those songs we recorded in the hatched house in the camp.
Phooj Ywg's songs are written and composed by Lis Pos and other members of the band. Lis Pos has recorded seven albums since Phooj Ywg won first place in a "Song Contest" in Stockton, CA. in 1984. It was the first ever Hmong New Year Celebration in the U.S. which had a pageant, dance, and singing contest.
Some of Lis Pos' most popular songs are "Ua Siab Tso Cia", known as Tuag Ua Ib Pawg Av, in the first album, "Nkauj Hmoob Denver" in the third album, "Maiv Choo" in the second album, "Yog Rov Tsis Tau", also known as Looj Ceeb Xam Thong, which was written and composed by Mr. Vue Yee. This song was recorded in Thailand. It is not available. The "Ua Siab Tso Cia", will never die. It is well reflected in the real life of all human being.
Lis Pos' songs and Phooj Ywg Band are well known all over the world where there are Hmong. In Thailand, some of the Thai Dance Clubs also sing "My" songs in Hmong, and some songs are translated in the Thai language. The Mein Community is the U.S. also translates and sing these songs in their native languages.
The songs Lis Pos has written, was written from the heart, and reflects so well to the Hmong life. Dr. Elizabeth Kirton used his(Lis Pos) songs to write a paper presented at the annual meetings of the Southwest Anthropological Association in 1990. The paper titled "Reflections of Resettlement: HMONG POPULAR MUSIC. Quote from her paper, "I am focusing in this paper on the songs of Pao Ly(Lis Pos), one of the most famous and popular singers, because of his enduring popularity, his continuing recording, and the apparent evolution of this songs". And "Ly's lyrics again reflect the concern felt around the community".
The following are some examples of her translations:
"Nqua Hu Hmoob" (1988)
We Hmoob will
go everywhere under the sky,
Long ago our grandparents and great grandparents were created,
Now we have no country,
There will never be a day when the war and fighting ends.
We Hmong, old and young alike,
Let us all live together in one group,
Whether we live in the mountains or in the valleys
Let us lead our life as Hmong.
"Nkauj Hmoob Dab Tsi" (1988)
Young Hmong
girl so cute and lovable, what clan are you?
Talking as you laugh and smile,
What is your clan, what is your name?
Will you speak American or will you speak Hmong?
Young Hmong girl so cute and lovable, where are you going?
Will you let me be friends with you?
Say something- - let's see if it is sweet or sour,
Will you say, "Hello" or "Nyob Zoo"?
Young Hmong girl so beautiful, are you married yet?
I want to take your hand and walk with you?
Will you speak American or French?
Si tu savais combien je t'aime,
If you know how much I love you,
Yog tias koj paub kuv hlub koj npaum cas.
Phooj Ywg has existed for the longest of all Hmong musical bands, and was recently branched to another state, North Carolina. As one of the original of Phooj Ywg members, my best regard to Phooj Ywg is that I am and will keep its reputation forever, and who ever will lead Phooj Ywg in the future will have the best for Phooj Ywg as well. I want to thank all the founders and the former members of Phooj Ywg. There have been approximately 100 men and women who has joined the band. These members are living in the U.S., Australia, France, Thailand. They are fathers, mothers, grandparents, and professionals. I want to thank all my friends who have supported our band and will continue to support us in the future. Our number 7 album was released in August of 1998. It is already well known by the song, "Poj Nrauj".
To all my Hmong Friends, "It is good to have a band; it is better if we can maintain it; and it is the best if we have honesty from the heart and mutually respect."
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