Little Star by Plum Village Band Ft. Born I and Phap Huu

This absolutely beautiful song is based on Thich Nhat Hanh’s poem Little Star

published in Call Me by my True Names: The Collected Poems of Thich Nhat Hanh : https://plumvillage.org/books/call-me-by-my-true-names

This song was shared & communally listened to in this years 2025 Path of The Modern Bodhisattva Class series taught by Mushim Ikeda at EBMC. I am so grateful to be part of this years class and I hope you can take some of the hope and joy rising from this song like I did.

Lyrics

Today the kingdom of Heaven

Held a festival for thousands of stars

I went up to that kingdom

Knelt down and prayed

That the anguish, the killing, the disaster

In our poor land would end.

Where have you been, little star?

I’ve been looking for you everywhere

Out of my window among the dark clouds

Where have you been, little star?

I feel so forlorn 

Like a small bird lost on a foggy island

It has been raining for nights

Late night on the sidewalk

I see the silhouettes of lonely, wet forms

I’ve tried to call your image

From deep in my consciousness 

While the rain and the wind continue to rage

Tonight as I bend over my desk

My head in my two hands

The wind has carried all the clouds away

The sky is clear

The rain has stopped longing for your call

I’m surprised to see you there

You have returned

Little star!

[Rap]

I’ve been looking at the stars in the distance 

I’ve been looking in my heart for resistance 

I’ve been searching in the self for existence 

all alone by myself Reminiscent 

underneath the Bodhi tree but it isn’t only me 

you and I collective energy how it’s s’posed to be 

I hope to be the ocean tide With my spirit open wide standing on a mountain top see the world with open eyes 

I was so surprised 

to know that I’m a part of this 

Sunrise sunset 

rain clouds all of it 

The journey of awakening taking it with one step 

one breath 

save all beings till there’s none left 

Suffering is painful 

but I’m still the same fool 

searching for the river 

while I’m swimming in the same pool 

Maybe we can find it 

keep the light shining 

walking on the path of ancestors behind me 

If you could be the person 

who you are in your heart 

would you grow a little bit 

or would you play a bigger part 

Love is a paintbrush 

life is the biggest art 

and I’m still the same kid 

wishing on a little star

Where have you been, little star?

I’ve been looking for you everywhere

Out of my window among the dark clouds

Where have you been, little star?

I feel so forlorn 

Like a small bird lost on a foggy island

It has been raining for nights

Late night on the sidewalk

I see the silhouettes of lonely, wet forms

I’ve tried to call your image

From deep in my consciousness 

While the rain and the wind continue to rage

Dear little star

You have been through such storms, rain, and wind

For how long and on what strange land have you been weeping?

You’ve come back

Your little body, still shivers will cold

With tears in your eyes

You recalled

You’ve been praying for our homeland

Your voice has reached the stars

transformed to teardrops

Trembling in the air 

I’m sending deep thanks to

Countless little stars

With diamond-strong faith

You are like flowers, blooming everywhere

My little star, you are back home

With tears in my eyes 

I call your name

And feel the warmth in my heart

Credits:

Lyrics written by: Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh

Rap lyrics written by: Born I

Singer/Songwriter: Sr Hieu Duc

Backing Vocals: Br Phap Huu, Sr Hien Tam, Sr Hieu Duc, Born I

Rap: Br Phap Huu, Born I

Bass: Robbie Campbell

Drums: Br Thien Y

Violin: Sr Trai Nghiem

Cello: Br Phap Linh

Music Production: Br Niem Thuan

Video: Br Duc Tru

Video Editing: Br Duc Tru, Sr Hien Tam, Sr Hieu Duc