Classic bolero ballad with đàn tranh, đàn bầu, sáo trúc, and nylon-string guitar; male vocals, southern Vietnamese lilt and slight cải lương ornamentation. Very slow tempo, gentle rubato, bass notes sparse so the vocal carries the sadness. Verses stay intimate and conversational; chorus opens harmonically with long held notes on key words, sáo answering between phrases. Subtle reverb gives a riverbank-at-dusk feel, instruments weaving softly around the voice., bolero