TaoSongs: Songs of the Tao Te Ching by TaoSongs and Poetry

TaoSongs Songs of The Tao Te Ching

TaoSongs.com

TaoSongs Public domain songs by Vito Di Bona Public domain translation by John McDonald Musical transcription by Jeremy Kurn

Vito Di Bona 2020

The tao that can be described is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be spoken is not the eternal Name. The nameless is the boundary of Heaven and Earth. The named is the mother of creation. Freed from desire, you can see the hidden mystery. By having desire, you can only see what is visibly real. Yet mystery and reality emerge from the same source. This source is called darkness. Darkness born from darkness. The beginning of all understanding.

TaoSong 1

TaoSong 1 q = 120 D‹7

F/G

4 &4 Ó

D‹7

∑

Œ™ ‰

D‹7

F/G

not the e - ter - nal Tao. D‹7 F/G C

not the e - ter - nal name. C D‹7 F/G

& œ œ œ œj ™ œ œ

2 & 4 ‰ Œ™ ## &

44 C

& 49

D‹7

is the mo - ther

∑

Œ ‰ œj œ œ œj de - sire, G

œ œn œ ˙ œ ∑

D‹7

Ó j œ

F/G

cre - a -

## Œ ™ j œ ˙ B‹7

D‹7

Œ œ œ

from de - sire, G B‹7

F/G

j œ œ

j j œœ œ

By ha - ving

œ œœœœ œœœ œœœœœ you can on - ly see what is vi - si - bly real D‹7 F/G

‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

called D‹7

te - ry.

My - ste - ry and re - a - li - ty C D‹7

˙™

Œ œ œ œ œ œj

the hid - den mys B‹7

is F/G

Œ ™ ‰ Œ Œ 42

∑

‰ j œ œ œn œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ

j œ œ œ œ ˙™

Dark - ness born from dark - ness.

‰ œj

of Hea - ven and Earth C C/C© C/D

tion.

Freed C

This source is F/G C

& œ œ œ œ œœ œ

‰ œj œ œ œœ˙

Œ ‰ œj œ j œ œ œ œ™

j œ ˙ œ

‰ œj

˙™

can be spo - ken of C D‹7

‰ j œ œ œ œœ œœ œœ˙

j j œ œ œ ˙

The Tao that can be des - cribed F/G C

The name that F/G

D‹7

you can see C

# &# ˙ ## &

B‹7

™™ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œœ

The name - less is the be - gin - ning C D‹7 F/G

∑

4 4

∑

F/G

‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ˙

∑

The named E

C/D©

D‹7

‰ jœœœ œ œœœ ˙

∑

Œ™ ‰

& œ œ œ œ œj œ ™

F/G

œœ œ œ

e - merge from the same source. F/G C

∑

œ œ œ œ ˙ dark F/G

ness. C

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™

The be - gin - ning of all

un - der - stan - ding.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

When people see things as beautiful, ugliness is created. When people see things as good, evil is created. Being and non-being produce each other. Difficult and easy complement each other. Long and short define each other. High and low oppose each other. Fore and aft follow each other. Therefore the Master can act without doing anything and teach without saying a word. Things come her way and she does not stop them; things leave and she lets them go. She has without possessing, and acts without any expectations. When her work is done, she take no credit. That is why it will last forever.

TaoSong 2

TaoSong 2 q = 130

#4 & 4

∑

™™ ‰ j œ œj œ œœ œœ œ Œ œ œ œ J G

A‹

When peo - ple see things as

A‹

When peo - ple see things as

- ted

œœ œ œœœœœ

beau - ti - ful,

‰ j œ œj œ œ œ™ Ó œ œ œ J J

& ˙

u - gli - ness is cre - a

e - vil is cre - a

A‹

j œ œ œ œ œ œ™

Be - ing and non - be - ing pro - duce each o - ther

ted

j # œ œ œ œœ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ & œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œJ

œœœœœœœœ ˙

good,

Dif - fi - cult and ea - sy com - ple - ment each o - ther.

# j j j j œ ™ j œ™ j j œ ™ œj & Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œJ œ œ œ ™ œ œJ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ œ œ

A‹

Long and short de - fine each o - ther. High and low

j & œ œ œ œ œ™

A‹

& œ œ œœ

œœœ ˙

out do - ing a - ny - thing G

# œ &

- low each o - ther.

Ó™

and A‹

A‹

does not stop them; things

# ™ j j & œ ™ œJ œ œ œ œ™ Œ ™ with - out

teach

pos - ses - sing,

œ œœ

with - out sa - ying a word. G

3 œ œ œj œ œ œ ˙ J

with

Œ™

leave and she lets them go.

j œ

She

j œ œ œ œ œj œ œj œ œ œ œ œ ‰ j œ œ C

and acts with - out a - ny ex - pec - ta

tions.

When

rit.

j Ó œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

fol-

the Mas - ter can act

‰ œj œ œ

œ œ œ œ™ Ó J

Fore and aft

œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj

œ œ

œ ˙ There - fore

Things come her way and she

has

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

op - pose each o - ther.

her work is done, she take no cre - dit.

That is why it will last

A‹ G

Œ™ ‰ Ó

for - e - ver.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

If you overly esteem talented individuals, people will become overly competitive. If you overvalue possessions, people will begin to steal. Do not display your treasures or people will become envious. The Master leads by emptying people’s minds, filling their bellies, weakening their ambitions, and making them become strong. Preferring simplicity and freedom from desires, avoiding the pitfalls of knowledge and wrong action. For those who practice not-doing, everything will fall into place.

TaoSong 3

TaoSong 3 q = 92

#4 & 4Ó

E‹

A‹

E‹

A‹

E‹

A‹

Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ If you

o - ver es - teem ta - len - ted

2 4 & œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ 4 œ œ œ œ œ 4 œ œ œ™ Œ ‰ œ œ

E‹

in - di - vi

& œ

du- als,

A‹

œ J

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ dis - play

your

ti - tive.

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

peo - ple will be - gin

steal.

rit. U r ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ B7

trea - sures

If you

E‹

œ™

A‹

Do not

o - ver - ly com - pe

lue pos - ses - sions,

peo - ple will be - come

œ œ œ œ œ

o - ver - va 12

A‹

peo - ple will be - come en - vi -

ous.

≈ œr

The

In Tempo

# œ & œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ

E‹

Mas - ter leads by emp

tying

œ œ œ œœ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ A‹

peo - ple's minds,

fil - ling their bel

Freely

U & œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

A‹

U Ó

In Tempo

E‹

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ free - dom from de - si - res,

™ r 42 œ œ œ œ ‰ œ™ œ œ œœ œ the pit - falls

U #4 & 4 œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

tion.

A‹

For those who prac - tice not do - ing,

A‹

Pre - fer - ring sim - pli - ci - ty

A‹

a - void - ing

- lies,

Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

wea - ken - ing their am - bi - tions, and ma - king them come strong.

E‹

Slowly

4 œ œ œ œ 4

know - ledge and wrong ac -

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ e - very - thing will fall in - to

place.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

The Tao is like an empty container: it can never be emptied and can never be filled. Infinitely deep, it is the source of all things. It dulls the sharp, unties the knotted, shades the lighted, and unites all of creation with dust. It is hidden but always present. I don’t know who gave birth to it. It is older than the concept of God.

TaoSong 4

TaoSong 4 q = 60

#6 & 8

∑

9 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 6 œ œ œ œ™ 8 8 J

∑

Tao is like an emp - ty con

D(„ˆˆ2)

tai - ner:

D(„ˆˆ4) D

œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ & œœ œ œ œ œ it can ne-ver be emp - tied

and can ne - ver be filled.

it is the source of all

things.

In- fi - nite - ly

dulls the sharp,

un - ties

shades the ligh - ted,

and u- nites all of cre - a - tion with

deep,

œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ™ J J

# œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ™ Œ j & ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œœ œ œ œ

∑

œœ œ œœœ œ J

∑

# Œ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œ ™ œ œJ œ ˙™ &

D(„ˆˆ2) D(„ˆˆ4) D

™ œ™ Œ

dust.

the knot - ted,

∑

9 8

∑

#9 6 & 8 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œJ œ 8 œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ ≈ œR œ œ œ œ ™ œ™ œ œj œ œ œ G

It is hid - den but al - ways

D(„ˆˆ2) D(„ˆˆ4)

pre - sent.

I don't know whogave birth

# œœ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œ œ œ œ ™ œj œ œ ‰ &

ol - der than the con - cept of

∑

it.

It is

Œ™ Œ™

God

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Heaven and Earth are impartial; they treat all of creation as straw dogs. The Master doesn’t take sides; she treats everyone like a straw dog. The space between Heaven and Earth is like a bellows; it is empty, yet has not lost its power. The more it is used, the more it produces; the more you talk of it, the less you comprehend. It is better not to speak of things you do not understand.

TaoSong 5

TaoSong 5 q = 98

4 &4 Ó

A‹

‰ Œ™

∑

A‹

œ œ™ œ œ œ œ™ J

‰ Œ™

Hea - ven 6

A‹

& Ó

œ œj œ ‰ j J œ œ ˙

‰ œ œ J

are im - par - tial; C A‹

‰ Œ™

they treat

≈œ œ œ

& ˙

treats

Œ ‰ œ œ œ™ œj œ ™ œ œ e - very - one

a straw

œ œ Ó

A‹

Hea - ven and Earth is like G

wer 31

∑

& 36

A‹

& Ó

‰ œ œ œj œ ™ Œ ™ it is emp - ty,

∑

≈ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ ‰ Œ™

A‹

space bet - ween

yet has not lost A‹

ces;

‰ Œ™ œ Œ Œ œ œ

com - pre - hend.

∑

its po

j œ œj œ œ J œ™

∑

the less you

& œj œ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó bet - ter

she

Œ ‰ ™ œR œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ

the more you talk of it, 41

œ œ™ œ Œ ‰ j œ

the more it pro - du

∑

dogs.

j j œ œ œœœ œ œ œ

3 Œ ™ œj œ œ

Œ ‰ j œ œœœ ˙ œ

‰ œ œ J

The

a bel - lows; F

œ œ Ó

straw

Ó™

A‹

‰ Œ ≈ œr œ œ œ ˙

The more it is used,

take sides; C G

dog.

j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙™ œ

does - n't A‹

‰ Œ™

and Earth

all of cre - a - tion C A‹

œ œ™ ‰ Œ ™ J

The Mas - ter

‰ œj œj œ™ œ œ œœœ

It is

∑

not to speak of things you do not un - der stand.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

The spirit of emptiness is immortal. It is called the Great Mother because it gives birth to Heaven and Earth. It is like a vapor, barely seen but always present. Use it effortlessly.

TaoSong 6

TaoSong 6 q = 98

4 &4 ∑ E5

œ œ œ œJ œJ œ™ œ œ ‰ œJ œ œ

∑

Spi - rit of emp - ti - ness

œ™ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ & J J J J

B7(„ˆˆ4)

Great Mo

œ œ œ™ & œJ œ J J cause it

œ œ & œ Œ ‰ œJ œJ œJ ˙ B7(„ˆˆ4)

bare - ly

seen

but

∑

It is

∑

œ ™ œJ œJ œ™ Use

‰ œ œ œ

Œ ‰ j œ

œ œ œJ œJ œ™ J

∑

sent.

be-

Earth.

∑

œ œ œ ˙™

It is called the

‰ œJ œ œ œJ œ™ œJ œ ™

B7(„ˆˆ4)

tal

∑

al - ways pre

‰ œJ

and

œ œ œJ œJ œ™ J

∑

‰ œ œ œ œJ œ ™ Ó

Hea - ven

E‹

por,

œ œ œ™ & œJ œ J J

j œ œ œj œ œ J œ

gives birth

‰ œ œ œ œ œ™ Ó J J

œ™ œ Œ ™ J

ther

is im - mor

œ œ™ œJ J œ™

E‹

œ œ™ J

fort - les - sly.

∑

U ∑

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

The Tao of Heaven is eternal, and the earth is long enduring. Why are they long enduring? They do not live for themselves; thus they are present for all beings. The Master puts herself last; And finds herself in the place of authority. She detaches herself from all things; Therefore she is united with all things. She gives no thought to self. She is perfectly fulfilled.

TaoSong 7

TaoSong 7 q = 52 A‹

A‹

6 & 8 Œ™ Œ™

∑

A‹

Œ™ Œ™

A‹

≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ ‰ Œ œ œ

∑

e - ter - nal,

The Tao of Hea - ven is

j‰ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ œœ œ œ & J E7

A‹

Œ™

& œ™ selves;

18 A‹

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 38 œ œ œ 68 œ ™

thus they are pre - sent

Œ™ Œ™

A‹

for

all be

∑

A‹

Thus she is

u - ni - ted with all

& œ œ œ œ œ œ per - fect - ly

˙™

things.

A‹

Œ™

‰

œ œ œ œ

from all

things;

œ ‰™ œ œ œ œ J œ œ œ Œ F

& œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

in the

And finds her - self

She de - tach - es her - self

Œ™

≈œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ J

‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ

place of au - tho - ri - ty.

Œ™

œ™

A‹

≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ ™

A‹

They do not live for them

ings.

∑

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

≈ œ œ œ œ œ#œ œ œ

Œ™

The Mas - ter puts her - self last;

Why are they long en - du- ring?

earth is long en - du - ring.

A‹

and the

She gives no thought to

Œ™

A‹

∑

Œ™

self.

Œ™

œœ She is

A‹

U ∑

ful - filled.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

The supreme good is like water, which benefits all of creation without trying to compete with it. It gathers in unpopular places. Thus it is like the Tao. The location makes the dwelling good. Depth of understanding makes the mind good. A kind heart makes the giving good. Integrity makes the government good. Accomplishment makes your labors good. Proper timing makes a decision good. Only when there is no competition will we all live in peace.

TaoSong 8

TaoSong 8 q = 69 C

4 &4 Ó

‰™ r œ œ œ œ

œœœ œ œÓ

The su - preme good

cre - a

& œj œ ™ Ó C

& œ

with - out

try-ing

to com - pete

with it.

Thus

it is like the Tao. F

r œ

‰™

The lo - ca - tion

œ œ œ œ œ œ

‰™

of un - der - stan- ding

A‹

& œ œ™ Œ

Ac - com - plish - ment

In - te - gri - ty makes the go - vern - ment

makes your

œ -

Œ & œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Pro - per ti

ming

makes

de - ci

sion

will we all live

Œ œ œ

bors good.

‰

good.

& œœ œœœœœœœœ œœ œ œœœœœ Ó no com - pe - ti - tion

good.

‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ

‰ ™ r œ œ œj ‰ œ™ œ œ œ œ

good.

A‹

j œ œ™

r œ œ œ œ

A kind heart makes the gi - ving good.

makes the dwel - ling good.

makes the mind

Œ Ó & ≈ œ œ œ œ™ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

It ga - thers in un - po - pu- lar

Œ Œ ™ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ™ œ œ œ œj œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œœ

Depth 15

which be - ne - fits all of

tion

‰

Œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ

‰ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ ‰™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ

pla - ces. 12

≈

is like wa - ter,

& ‰ œ œœœœœœ Œ

œ œ œ œ œ On - ly when there

∑

in peace.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

It is easier to carry an empty cup than one that is filled to the brim. The sharper the knife the easier it is to dull. The more wealth you possess the harder it is to protect. Pride brings its own trouble. When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.

TaoSong 9

TaoSong 9 q = 92

#4 & 4

∑

Œ ‰

œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

It is ea - si - er to car - ry an emp - ty cup than one that is

& œ œ™ œ Œ œ œ œ filled

œ Œ Ó

‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ

to the brim.

C(„ˆˆ2)

& œ œ Œ ‰ œœ ˙ is

C(„ˆˆ2)

The shar - per the knife

∑

the ea - si - er it

∑

Œ Ó œ œ œœ œ

C(„ˆˆ2)

‰™ r Œ Œ œœ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ the har - der it is

to pro - tect.

# œ œ œ œ ‰ œ & œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œJ w G

# œ & G

plished

# & Ó

‰ œJ œ œ your

Œ ‰™ r œ

goal

œ Œ œ œ œœœ œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ

When you have ac - com

œ œ œ œ œ œ sim - ply

œ œ œ™

Pride brings its own

trou - ble.

The

more wealth you pos - sess

‰™ œ œ œ œ œ R

to dull.

& œ 21

walk

C(„ˆˆ2)

a - way.

∑

U ∑

This is the path - way to Hea - ven.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Nurture the darkness of your soul until you become whole. Can you do this and not fail? Can you focus your life-breath until you become supple as a newborn child? While you cleanse your inner vision will you be found without fault? Can you love people and lead them without forcing your will on them? When Heaven gives and takes away can you be content with the outcome? When you understand all things can you step back from your own understanding? Giving birth and nourishing, making without possessing, expecting nothing in return. To grow, yet not to control: This is the mysterious virtue.

TaoSong 10

TaoSong 10 q = 126 C

4 &4

∑

œ œ˙

œœ

Nur - ture

un - til

œ œ ˙

you

be - come

whole.

of your

C/B

A‹

& œj œ ™

∑

œ™ While

Œ™

∑

F/E

j j œ œ œ œj ˙ F/E

D‹7

you be found

D‹7

& Œ œ œ œ œ œJ œ™ Ó F

& œ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™ on

them?

∑

j j œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œ

you be - come sup - ple as a new - born child?

j j œ œ œ œj ˙ F/E

D‹7

‰ j œ œ œ ˙™

you cleanse your

C/B

Œ ‰ j œ ™ œj œ œœœ œ œ 3

with - out

C/B

fault?

Œ ‰ j œ œ ˙™ œ

When Hea - ven gives

in - ner vi - sion

A‹

and lead them with - out

fail?

‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œœœ ˙

Can you love peo - ple

will

œ œ œœœ œ œ œ Can you do this and not

Can you fo - cus your life - breath un - til 17

soul

∑

j j & œ Œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™ Ó

A‹

the dark - ness

& œ ˙

j j j ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œœœ ˙

C/B

j œ œj œ œ œ

for - cing your will

Œ ™ œj œj œ œj ˙

C/B

A‹

and takes a - way

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 10, continued 2 38

can you be

con - tent

all

A‹

œ œ

When you un - der - stand

can

Ó j œ œ™

& ˙

∑

œ™

shing,

& ˙

& œ™ To

F/E

j œ œ

F/E

D‹7

œ J œ™

grow,

yet

œ œ œ œ

œ œ

j œ œ œ œ pos - ses -

A‹

re - turn.

C/B

not

C/B

‰ œj œ œ

j œ œ

TaoSongs.com

and nou- ri

Œ œ œ œ œ œ

™

A‹

con - trol:

back

œ œ œ

with - out

j œ œ

step

‰

birth

Œ ‰ j ™ œ œ

king

D‹7

ex - pec - ting noth - ing

& œj œ™

D‹7

œ™ œj œ œ œ ˙ F

sing,

Gi - ving

F/E

you

œ™ œj œj œ j œ ˙

∑

F/E

j j œ œ œ œj ˙

j j œ œ œ œ œ

things

from your own un - der - stan - ding?

∑

come?

& œœ œ œœœ œœ 53

with the out

C/B

& œ œ œ œ ˙

j Œ ‰ j j j œ ™ œœœ œ œ œ œœœœ œ œœ œ œœ œ

∑

Thirty spokes are joined together in a wheel, but it is the center hole that allows the wheel to function. We mold clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that makes the vessel useful. We fashion wood for a house, but it is the emptiness inside that makes it livable. We work with the substantial, but the emptiness is what we use.

TaoSong 11

TaoSong 11 q = 174 D‹7

4 &4

∑

D‹7

j œ œ œ œ œ œ™

∑

Thir - ty spokes are

˙ F

& Ó™

D‹7

& Œ œ œ ™ œj œj œ™ Ó that makes the ves - sel

& Œ

& Ó™

but it

F(„ˆˆ2)

to func - tion.

use

∑

F(„ˆˆ2)

We fa - shion wood for a house,

D‹7

Œ œ ˙

F(„ˆˆ2)

Ó™

œ œ Ó

that makes

stan - tial,

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w œ œ

but the emp - ti - ness is what

œ œœ œ

œœ œ

ful.

D‹7

j œ œ œ œ œ œ™

œ œ œ œ J

œ œ J

∑

We work

& œ ˙

∑

Œ Œ j œ œ™

œœ

F(„ˆˆ2)

œœœœœœ œ Ó

is the emp - ti - ness in - side F(„ˆˆ2)

is the emp - ti - ness in - side F

j j œ œ œ œ œ œœœœœœ ˙ œ

in a wheel,

but it

to - ge - ther

We mold clay in - to a pot, 20

œ œœ

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

∑

joined

the wheel

D‹7

œœ œœ˙

Œ ‰ j ˙™ œ

it's the cen - ter hole that al - lows

F(„ˆˆ2)

œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ œ

but

∑

with

∑

va - ble.

the sub C

∑

use.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Five colors blind the eye. Five notes deafen the ear. Five flavors make the palate go stale. Too much activity deranges the mind. Too much wealth causes crime. The Master acts on what she feels and not what she sees. She shuns the latter, and prefers to seek the former.

TaoSong 12

TaoSong 12 q = 116

4 &4 ˙

D‹

Five

j œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ G

co - lors

& j œ œj ˙ œ late go stale.

blind

the eye.

D‹

œ œ œœ

Five notes

- ses crime.

D‹

dea - fen the ear.

Too much ac - ti - vi - ty de - ran - ges the

œ œ œœœ

2 4 œ œ œœœ 4 œœ œ œ œ4 ˙

D‹

2 4 &4 jœ j 4 ˙ œ œ G

œ œ œ œ œ œ

Five fla - vors make the pa

∑

mind.

œ œ œ œj œ j 42 œ

D‹

Too much wealth cau

D‹

j Œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ™ œ

Œ œ œ œj œ œ œ

D‹

The mas - ter acts on what she feels

and not what she

rit. 18

& œj œ ™ Ó sees.

D‹

Œ j j jœ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ

She shuns the lat - ter, and

pre - fers

D‹

œ œœœ œ

œœœœ˙

for

seek the

mer.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Success is as dangerous as failure, and we are often our own worst enemy.

What does it mean that success is as dangerous as failure? He who is superior is also someone’s subordinate. Receiving favor and losing it both cause alarm. That is what is meant by success is as dangerous as failure. What does it mean that we are often our own worst enemy? The reason I have an enemy is because I have a “self”. If I no longer had a “self”, I would no longer have an enemy. Love the whole world as if it were your self; then you will truly care for all things.

TaoSong 13

TaoSong 13 q = 94

#2 & 4 ∑ E‹

j≈ Œ ‰ j r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ D

∑

Suc - cess is as dan - ge - rous as

# œœ œœ œ & D

∑

and we are of - ten our own worst

E‹

œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ

What does it mean

∑

that suc - cess is as dan - ge - rous as

∑

A‹7

‰ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ some - one's su - bor - di - nate.

al - so

j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Re - ceiv - ing fa - vor and lo - sing it 26

E‹

both cause

∑

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ

E‹

is as dan - ge - rous as fail - ure.

E‹

& œ œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ œ that we

are

of - ten our own worst

# j & œ Œ œœ œ œœœœœ A‹7

If I no longer had

What does it mean

j œ ‰ ≈œ œ œ

A‹7

a "self",

I would no

œ œ œ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œœ œœ

E‹

Love the whole world as if

œ œ œœœ œ

Œ ‰™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

j œœœœ œ ‰ ≈œœœ œ œ

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ ™ œ you will tru - ly care for all

∑ D

A‹7

Œ Œ

The re - ason I have an e - ne

A‹7

lon - ger have an e - ne - my.

∑

e - ne - my?

is be-cause I have a "self".

& œ œœœœœœ ˙

∑

œœ œ œ œ

G G/F©

a - larm.

E‹

That is what is meant by suc - cess

fail - ure?

œ œ œœ œœœœ œœ œœ

He who is su - pe - ri - or is

fail -ure

E‹

e - ne - my. 12

E‹

∑

G/F© E‹

Œ Œ

∑

it were your self;

∑

then

∑

things.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Look for it, and it can’t be seen. Listen for it, and it can’t be heard. Grasp for it, and it can’t be caught. These three cannot be further described, so we treat them as The One. Its highest is not bright. Its depths are not dark. Unending, unnameable, it returns to nothingness. Formless forms, and imageless images, subtle, beyond all understanding. Approach it and you will not see a beginning; follow it and there will be no end. When we grasp the Tao of the ancient ones, we can use it to direct our life today. To know the ancient origin of Tao: this is the beginning of wisdom.

TaoSong 14

TaoSong 14 e = 132

### 7 U & 8 ∑

U ∑

### ≈ &

F©‹

it, E

B‹

and it can't be seen. G

C©‹ F©‹

and it can't be heard. B‹ C©‹ F©‹

Grasp for B‹ C©‹

it, E

These three can - not A E

œ™

it,

and it can't be caught. D

3 2 4 œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ 4 œ

Œ Ó

fur - ther de - scribed G F©‹

Lis - ten for F©‹ D

≈ nœ œ œ œœœœœ nœ

œ ™ œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ

### 3 4 & œ™ œ œ œ œ œj ≈ r 8 œ™ œ œ 4 œ œ œ

œ ™ œ œ œ#œ œ œ œ ≈ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ nœ

Look for

so we treat them as The One. B‹ C©‹ F©‹

### 2 ‰ ™ 7 & 4 œ r 8 œ œ œ œ œ#œ œœœ ≈ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ

Its C©‹

high - est is not bright. E E

### & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

B‹

Un - en - ding, un - na - mea - ble, F©‹ D

Its depths are not dark. E G

Œ ≈ nœ œ œ œ œ œ™ nœ

œ ™ œ™ œ #œ œ œ œ

it re - turns to noth - ing - ness. Form less forms, B‹ C©‹ F©‹ B‹ C©‹ E

and i - mage - less i - ma - ges, D A

### 3 4 ™ & œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œj ‰ 8 œ œ œ œ 4 œ œ™ Œ Œ ‰ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ œ œ

sub - tle be -yond D A

### Œ &

all

œ™ œ œ œ œ œ a

be - gin - ning;

un - der - stan - ding. D

Ap - proach it and you will not see D A

œ œœœ œ œ œ Œ

fol - low it and there will be D

œ œ œ œ œ ‰™ r œ no

end.

When

### œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰™ œ œ & n œ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

we grasp the Tao of the an - cient ones, D A

### & œ œœ œ œ

we can use it to di - rect our D A

life

to - day. D A

‰ ™ #œR œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó œœ œ œ

know the an - cient o - ri - gin of Tao:

this is

the be - gin - ning of wis - dom.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

The Sages of old were profound and knew the ways of subtlety and discernment. Their wisdom is beyond our comprehension. Because their knowledge was so far superior I can only give a poor description. They were careful as someone crossing a frozen stream in winter. Alert as if surrounded on all sides by the enemy. Courteous as a guest. Fluid as melting ice. Whole as an uncarved block of wood. Receptive as a valley. Turbid as muddied water. Who can be still until their mud settles and the water is cleared by itself? Can you remain tranquil until right action occurs by itself? The Master doesn’t seek fulfillment. For only those who are not full are able to be used which brings the feeling of completeness.

TaoSong 15

TaoSong 15 q = 86 A‹

4 &4 Ó

A‹

‰ ™ œr

The

j œ™ œ œ ‰ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ J

œœ œ œ œœ œ & œ™ œ œ

A‹

Sa - ges of old

A‹

were pro - found

A‹

and knew

A‹

ment.

A‹

Their wis - dom was

A‹

œ œ J

our

œ œ ‰ œ œ J J com

I can on - ly give

A‹

poor

j œ œœ‰ œ œ ‰ œ œ &

A‹

They were care ful

A‹

& œ Œ Ó

œ œ™ œ™ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ

‰ œj œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ E7

A - lert as if

de - scrip - tion.

as some - one cros - sing a fro - zen stream

A‹

pre - hen-

œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ™ Ó

™ œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œJ œ™ Ó

dis - cern

Be - cause their know - ledge was so far su - pe - ri - or

sion.

A‹

be - yond

œ œ œ œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œr -

the ways of subtle-ty and

j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ

& œ œ œ Œ

A‹

œœœœœœœ œœœœœ œ in win

œ œ œ œ œ œ

sur - roun - ded on all sides by

ter.

A‹

œ œ œ œ ˙™

the e - ne - my.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 15, continued

2 26

A‹

œ œ œ œ œ œÓ

& œ Œ Ó

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ

Cour - te - ous as a guest.

œ & œ œ™

‰ ™ œR œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Re - cep- tive as

of wood

Flu - id as mel - ting

A‹

& œJ œ™

A‹

a val - ley.

‰ œJ œ ™ œ œ œ œ

ice.

œ œœœ œ œœœ œœœœœ

Tur - bid

A‹

Whole as an un - carved block

as mud - died wa - ter.

A‹

j œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ & ‰ œ œ

A‹

Who can be still

A‹

their mud set -tles

A‹

& Ó

and the wa - ter is cleared by

A‹

tran - quil

a - ble to be used

& œJ œ™

right ac - tion oc - curs

A‹

it - self?

by it - self?

Œ ‰ ™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ ™ r œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ

& œ œ œ œ ˙

A‹

un - til

The Mas - ter does - n't seek ful - fill - ment.

Can you re - main 44

A‹

‰ œj œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ™ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ™ œ J J J

& Ó

un - til

œ J

œ œ œ œ J

which brings the feel - ing

A‹

TaoSongs.com

For on - ly those who are not full are

A‹

œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ

com - plete - ness.

A‹

∑

If you can empty your mind of all thoughts your heart will embrace the tranquility of peace. Watch the workings of all of creation, but contemplate their return to the source. All creatures in the universe return to the point where they began. Returning to the source is tranquility because we submit to Heaven’s mandate. Returning to Heaven’s mandate is called being constant. Knowing the constant is called ‘enlightenment’. Not knowing the constant is the source of evil deeds because we have no roots. By knowing the constant we can accept things as they are. By accepting things as they are, we become impartial. By being impartial, we become one with Heaven. By being one with Heaven, we become one with Tao. Being one with Tao, we are no longer concerned about losing our life because we know the Tao is constant and we are one with Tao.

TaoSong 16

TaoSong 16 q = 84

#4 & 4

E‹

∑

≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ If you can emp - ty your mind of all

3 #3 4 & 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4 œ œ™ Œ

E‹

heart will em - brace the tran - qui - li - ty

œ ‰ ™ œr 43

thoughts

your

∑

peace.

3 4 & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4 œ œ ™ Œ Ó œ E‹

Watch the wor - kings of all of cre - a - tion,

# Ó &

but

E‹

con - tem - plate their re - turn to

j≈ r3 Œ ‰™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4œ œœ œ œ œ œ œœ

#4 & 4 œ œ™ Œ E‹

E‹

cause we submit to Hea - ven's man

Re - tur - ning to the source is tran - qui - li - ty

#3 4 & 4œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4œ œ Œ

man - date is

called

date.

& œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ Hea - ven's

j ≈ œr 43 ‰™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ E‹

- gan.

4 œ œ œœ œ 4

re - turn to the point where they

All crea - tures in the u - ni - verse

the source.

ing con - stant.

be-

‰ œ œ œ œ Re - tur - ning to

œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

Kno - wing

the con - stant is called

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 16, continued

# & Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œr

'en - ligh - ten - ment'. Not kno - wing

# & œ™ œ œ ™ œ œ œ ™ œ

cause we

have no

the con stant

& œ œ œ œ œ œœœœœ œ Œ Ó

‰ œj œ œ

E‹

ac - cept things as

roots.

they

are.

is the source of e - vil deeds

œ œ œ Œ

By ac - cep- ting things as they are,

be - ing one with Hea - ven,

be - come one with Tao.

Be - ing one with Tao,

lon - ger

con - cerned

a - bout

j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ ‰ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ Œ

we know the Tao is con - stant

one with Hea

j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰

œœœœœœ œ œ œ œ

im - par - tial, we be-come

# & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ

we can

Œ ‰œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ

j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ By be-ing

‰ œ œ

kno - wing the con - stant

we be - come im - par - tial.

and we are

be-

one

TaoSongs.com

ven. By

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈œ œ œ

we are no

œ œ™ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ

lo - sing

our

life

be - cause

‰ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™ Ó G

with

Tao.

The best leaders are those the people hardly know exist. The next best is a leader who is loved and praised. Next comes the one who is feared. The worst one is the leader that is despised. If you don’t trust the people, they will become untrustworthy. The best leaders value their words, and use them sparingly. When she has accomplished her task, the people say, “Amazing: we did it, all by ourselves!”

TaoSong 17

q = 88

4 & 4 r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ D‹

The best lea - ders are those the peo - ple hard ly know ex - ist.

D‹

& ˙™

praised.

& ˙

‰™

The worst one is the lea - der

C/G

lea - ders va - lue

& œ œ œ œ she

their

task,

‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ all

them

spa - ring - ly.

has ac - com - plished her

it,

and use

j œ œ œ œ™ œ ≈ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ the

did

words,

™ œ œ œ ‰

œ œ œ™

our - selves! "

peo - ple say, "A - ma

C/G

r œ When

‰™

zing:

r œ The

‰

‰™

they will be - come un - trust - wort - hy.

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

des - pised.

r œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ œœœ œ

best

that is

If you don't trust the peo - ple,

‰œ j j j œ œœ œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ

Next comes the one who is feared.

The next best is a lea - der who is loved and

r œ

∑

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

When the great Tao is abandoned, charity and righteousness appear. When intellectualism arises, hypocrisy is close behind. When there is strife in the family unit, people talk about ‘brotherly love’. When the country falls into chaos, politicians talk about ‘patriotism’.

TaoSong 18

TaoSong 18 q = 126

#4 & 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ ™ œ Ó ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó ‰ j œ œœ G

When the great Tao is a - ban - doned,

D(“4)

cha - ri - ty and right - eous - ness appear.

When in - tel

# œ œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ™ Œ ™ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó C

lec - tua - li - sm a - ri -

hy - po - cri - sy is close

ses,

Œ ‰ j œ

When

be - hind.

D(“4)

& œJ œ œJ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ there is strife

# œ œ œ & C

coun - try falls

& ˙

in the

fa - mi - ly u

œ œ

in - to

cha

œ œ™ J -

nit, peo - ple talk a - bout 'bro - ther - ly

‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙™ œ a - bout 'pa - tri - o - ti

love'.

œ œ

When the

˙™

os,

œ œœ œ œ™ ˙

li - ti

talk

∑

cians

∑

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Forget about knowledge and wisdom, and people will be a hundred times better off. Throw away charity and righteousness, and people will return to brotherly love. Throw away profit and greed, and there won’t be any thieves. These three are superficial and aren’t enough to keep us at the center of the circle, so we must also: Embrace simplicity. Put others first. Desire little.

TaoSong 19

TaoSong 19 q = 68

#4 r & 4 œ œœ œ ‰™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ G

For - get

& œ œ œ™

a - bout know - ledge and wis - dom,

- ter off.

a - way

cha - ri - ty

& œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

to bro - ther - ly

love.

a hun - dred times bet

‰ œJ œ œ œ œ œ

and

‰™

right - eous - ness,

re - turn

and peo - ple will be

Throw

j œ j œ ‰ Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ

œ œœ œ œœœœœ

peo - ple will

r œ

and

A‹

œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ

œ œ œ

Throw a - way

pro - fit and greed,

A‹

and there

& œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œr won't be a - ny thieves. These three are su

- per - fi - cial

and are

# œ œœ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œr œJ œ œœœ œ

A‹

keep us at the cen - ter of the cir - cle,

j & œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œj œ Œ Ó

Put

o - thers first.

n't

˙™

we must al - so: Em - brace

j ‰ œ œ œ œj œ bœ œ F

De - sire

Œ Ó

e - nough

œœ ™ œœ œ œŒ Ó sim - pli - ci - ty.

∑

lit - tle.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Renounce knowledge and your problems will end. What is the difference between yes and no? What is the difference between good and evil? Must you fear what others fear? Nonsense, look how far you have missed the mark! Other people are joyous, as though they were at a spring festival. I alone am unconcerned and expressionless, like an infant before it has learned to smile. Other people have more than they need; I alone seem to possess nothing. I am lost and drift about with no place to go. I am like a fool, my mind is in chaos. Ordinary people are bright; I alone am dark. Ordinary people are clever; I alone am dull. Ordinary people seem discriminating; I alone am muddled and confused. I drift on the waves on the ocean, blown at the mercy of the wind. Other people have their goals, I alone am dull and uncouth. I am different from ordinary people. I nurse from the Great Mother’s breasts.

TaoSong 20

q = 120

# 4 & #4 Ó

D(„ˆˆ2) D(“4)

‰ Œ™

D(„ˆˆ2)

Œ™ ‰ ‰ Œ™

™™ œj œ

j Œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ nœ œ œ

Re - nounce know - ledge and your pro - blems

## & œ œœ œ œ œœ

What is the dif - ference bet - ween

## Ó j j j j & j œ n œ œ œ œ œ n œ œ™

What is the dif - ference bet - ween

missed

œœ

the mark!

O - ther peo - ple are joy - ous,

at a spring

# &# j nœ œ

fes - ti - val.

be - fore it

has

learned

A‹

∑

œ œœœ œ œ œ œ œ Œ

Œ™

œ œ œ to

a - lone

A‹

I am lost

∑

4 4

smile.

# j & # œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ˙ ing.

2 4

O -ther peo - ple have more than they need;

they were

I a - lone am un - con - cerned and ex - pres - sion - less, like an

3 ## 4 & 4œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

j œ n œ œj œ Œ

in - fant

as though

j œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ

j œ œ œ œ œ

you have

œ œ œ œ œ œ œj ‰ œ œ

## j œ3 j & ‰ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œj œ™ Ó

good and e - vil?

Non - sense, look how far

œœ œ œœœŒ

3 2 4 j œ ™ ˙ ‰ œj œ ∑ 4 ∑ 4œ œ œ œ

Must you fear what o - thers fear?

## & œœœ ˙

A‹

œœ œœœ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ yes and no?

will end.

and drift a - bout

seem to pos - sess

‰ œj œ with no

j œ noth-

œœœ ˙

œ œ

place

to go.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 20, continued 2

## j & œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œj œ œj ˙ A‹

I am like

a fool,

my mind is in

# & # œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰n œ œj ˙ D

Or - di - na - ry peo - ple

# &# ‰

j Œ œ œ nœ

## &

œn œ œ œ œ œ

di - scri - mi - na - ting;

# & # ‰ j œ œj œ™ nœ œ C

on the o - cean,

A‹

œ Œ

ferent

# &#

am dark.

j Œ j œ œ œ œ am

dull.

Or - di - na - ry peo - ple

œ œ ˙™ from

seem

Œ ‰ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™œ œ œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ I a - lone am mud - dled and

con - fused.

drift on the waves

4 Œ Ó ‰ j j j 42 nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ 4 œ blown at the mer - cy

∑

the wind.

j j j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œj œ œ™ œ œ™ ‰ œ œ œ D

I a - lone am dull

and

j œ œœœ œ œ œ Œ D

Œ™

un - couth.

I am dif -

‰ œ œj I

from or - di - na - ry peo - ple.

rit.

A‹

Or - di - na - ry peo - ple

œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj

O - ther peo - ple have their goals,

## &

I a - lone

A‹

‰ œœ œ œ œ ™ œ j œj œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œœ

‰ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ

## & œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™

∑

cha - os.

are bright;

are cle - ver;

j ‰ œ œ œ œ œœœ ˙ œ D

‰

j œ œ œ œ n œj œ

the Great Mo

TaoSongs.com

ther's

j œ

˙ breasts.

nurse

The greatest virtue you can have comes from following only the Tao; which takes a form that is intangible and evasive. Even though the Tao is intangible and evasive, we are able to know it exists. Intangible and evasive, yet it has a manifestation. Secluded and dark, yet there is a vitality within it. Its vitality is very genuine. Within it we can find order. Since the beginning of time, the Tao has always existed. It is beyond existing and not existing. How do I know where creation comes from? I look inside myself and see it.

TaoSong 21

TaoSong 21 q = 70

### 4 & 4Ó A

B‹

Œ™

‰ Ó™

B‹

™™ ‰ ™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ J J

The great - est vir - tue

### ‰œ &

B‹

tan - gi - ble

B‹

and e - va - sive.

tan - gi - ble

B‹

and e - va - sive.

tan - gi - ble and e - va - sive, yet

B‹

in-

B‹

‰ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ r œ 3

in-

B‹

‰ œ œœ œ œ œ œœ œ Ó

rit.

B‹

it has

œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ r œ œ

Œ ‰™ r œ

we are a - ble to know it ex - ists.

### œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ œ™ &

can have

E - ven though the Tao

### œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ &

you

which takes a form that

### œ œ œ œnœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ & A

œ œ œ œ nœ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ ‰ œJ

comes from fol - lo - wing on - ly the Tao;

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ

a ma - ni - fes - ta

In-

U Ó

nnn

tion.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 21, continued

In Time 20

A‹

Se - clu - ded and dark,

A‹

yet there is

& œœœœœ Ó

‰™ r ‰ ™ r œ ™ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ

œœ ˙ œ

& ‰™ r œ œ œ œ Œ œ

vi - ta - li - ty

with - in

A‹

™ r ‰ j œœ ‰™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœœ œ ‰ œ

Its vi - ta - li - ty

ve - ry ge - nu- ine.

rit.

œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œœœœœ Ó & J J J J

A‹

in it

can

find

### œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œœ & A

Since the be - gin - ning of

B‹

time,

With

###

der.

In Time

it.

j Œ ‰ ™ r œ œ œnœ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ Œ œ œ E

the Tao has al

B‹

ways ex - is - ted.

Freely

### œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ‰ ™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ & œ

It is

### 2 & 4

B‹

be - yond ex - is - ting

B‹

œ œ œ look in - side

‰

and not ex - is - ting

j 4 œ 4 œ œ™

2 œ œ4

How do I know where cre - a - tion comes from? I

self

TaoSongs.com

≈

œ œ œ

and see

it.

∑

If you want to become whole, first let yourself become broken. If you want to become straight, first let yourself become twisted. If you want to become full, first let yourself become empty. If you want to become new, first let yourself become old. Those whose desires are few get them, those whose desires are great go astray. For this reason the Master embraces the Tao, as an example for the world to follow. Because she isn’t self centered, people can see the light in her. Because she does not boast of herself, she becomes a shining example. Because she does not glorify herself, she becomes a person of merit. Because she wants nothing from the world, the world can not overcome her. When the ancient Masters said, “If you want to become whole, then first let yourself be broken,” they weren’t using empty words. All who do this will be made complete.

TaoSong 22

TaoSong 22 q = 130

### &

∑

first let yourself

be - come

bro - ken.

first let your - self A

be - come G

### œ œ œ & œ œ œ œ

twis - ted.

If you want to be - come full, A G

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J J

j j Œ œ œ œ œ emp - ty.

# &#

first let your - self D

Those whose de - si - res are

# &# ˙

œœœ ˙

# & # œ™ bra

## & ˙

∑

Œ ™ œj œ œ ˙

few

get

Œ™

œ œ œ

j œœœ œ

j œ ˙

great 33

SOLO

™™

∑

™™ ##

be - come old.

œ œœœ œ ˙

If you want to be - come new,

### ‰ œj œj œ j œ œ œ œ & œ œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w J J

j j Œ œ œ œ œ

be - come

If you want to be - come straight,

first let your - self A

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J J

j j Œ œ œ œ œ

™™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w

∑

### œ œ œ & œ œ œ œ

If you want to be - come whole,

### œ œ œ & œ œ œ œ

j œ œ œ ˙ go

Œ™

ces

as - tray.

j œ ˙™ the

‰ œj œ œ for the world

them,

œ œœœ œ

Those whose de - si - res are D

‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 3

For this re - ason the Mas - ter em D

Tao,

Œ œ œ œ™ œj œ œ œ to fol

j œ

œ™

j œœœ œ

an ex - am - ple

∑

###

low.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 22, continued 2

### SOLO ™™ ∑ & A

∑

™™

j œ œœœ œ œ œ J J œ

Œ™

Be - cause she is - n't self cen - tered,

### 3 œ œ œ & œœœœ A

peo - ple can see A

### œœ œ &

j j œ œ œ œ œ œœ œœ˙ œ œ œj œ ‰ œ

the light

in G

‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

j j œ ˙ œœ œ œ

### œ œ œ & j œ œ œ A

she be - comes a

### ˙ &

j œ œ

me - rit.

j Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œj

the world can - not

# &# Ó

## &

Be - cause she wants nothing from the

## j & œ œ™ -

# j & # œ œ™

"If you want

# & # ™™

SOLO

∑

j j œ œ œ

they weren't u- sing emp D

j œ œ œ œ œ œœ

All who do this will D

œ œ ˙™

‰ œ œj œ œ ˙™

com D

∑

∑ TaoSongs.com

™™

Œ œj œ œj œj œ œ œ

words.

œœ˙

™™

be - come whole, D

˙™

made

∑

be bro - ken,"

j œœœ œ ˙

world,

## SOLO ™™ ∑

∑

Œ ‰ œj œ œ ˙

œœœ ˙ C

j j œ œ œ

j œ œ œj œj œ ™ ‰ œj œ œ

then first let your - self 75

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

o - ver - come her.

j j œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ œ œ

j j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

j j j œ œœ œ ˙ œ

When the an - cient Mas - ters said, C

‰

Be - cause she does not glo - ri - fy her - self,

per - son

Be - cause she does not boast of her - self, A G

her.

she be - comes a shin - ing ex - am - ple. 56

∑

plete.

∑

U ∑

Nature uses few words: when the gale blows, it will not last long; when it rains hard, it lasts but a little while; What causes these to happen? Heaven and Earth. Why do we humans go on endlessly about little when nature does much in a little time? If you open yourself to the Tao, you and Tao become one. If you open yourself to Virtue, then you can become virtuous. If you open yourself to loss, then you will become lost. If you open yourself to the Tao, the Tao will eagerly welcome you. If you open yourself to virtue, virtue will become a part of you. If you open yourself to loss, the lost are glad to see you. “When you do not trust people, people will become untrustworthy.”

TaoSong 23

q = 134 A‹

∑

™™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ E

∑

Na - ture u - ses few

∑

j j œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

& œ

not

A‹

tle while;

j & œ œ œ œ ˙

Earth.

Œ œœœ

hard,

œœœ

it lasts but a lit

œ œ ˙™ œ E

j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ j œ

A‹

Why do we humans go on

A‹

& œ œ œ œ œ œ

o - pen your - self to the Tao,

Œ œœœ œ œ ˙

when na - ture does much

in a lit - tle time?

œ œ ˙ E

en - dle - ssly

Œ ™ œj œ œ œ ˙ ™

A‹

bout lit - tle

˙™

j œ œ œ œ & œ œ™ Ó

œœ™ ˙™

blows, it will

What cau - ses these things to happen?

Hea - ven and

‰ œj œ œ œ

∑

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙™

œ œ

when the gale

when it rains

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

words:

last long;

œ œ œ œ œj œ œj œ F

you

˙™

and

Tao

œ œ

If you

œ œ œ œ œ œ come one.

If you

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 23, continued

jœ œ ˙™ œ œ œ œ œ & J

A‹

œ œ œ œ œj œ œj Œ œ œ œ F

o - pen your - self to Vir - tue,

then you can be - come

j œ œ ˙™ & œ œ œ œ œ J

A‹

o - pen your - self to

loss,

œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ

o - pen your - self to Vir - tue,

œ œ œ ˙™ & œ œ œ œ œJ

loss,

j & œ œ œ œ œ œJ œ œ ˙

you do not

trust peo

œ œ œ œ œ œ

ple,

lost.

œ œ

If you

œ œ

If you

‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

tu - ous.

the Tao will ea - ger - ly wel - come

œ œ œ ˙™ & œ œ œ œ œJ

œœœ ˙

o - pen your - self to

vir

then you will be - come

o - pen your - self to the Tao,

j œ œ œ œ œ œ J you.

If you

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J

vir - tue will be - come a part

of you.

If you

œ œ œ ˙™ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ the

lost

are glad to see you.

‰ j œ

"When

rit. G

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ w

peo - ple will be - come un - trust - wor - thy."

TaoSongs.com

Those who stand on tiptoes do not stand firmly. Those who rush ahead don’t get very far. Those who try to outshine others dim their own light. Those who call themselves righteous can’t know how wrong they are. Those who boast of their accomplishments diminish the things they have done. Compared to the Tao, these actions are unworthy. If we are to follow the Tao, we must not do these things.

TaoSong 24

TaoSong 24 Swing q = 92

# 3 & #4 Œ Œ Œ

B B/G B/F©

∑

## & œ œ œ œœ ˙

B/G B/F©

∑

# & # nœ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ C

get

# & # œœœœœ Œ light.

they have

B/G B/F©

∑

FŒ„Š7

don't

Those who rush a - head

FŒ„Š7 3

∑

œ ™ œ œ nœ nœ œ ‰ œ J J A

Œ ‰ œJ œ œ™

to out - shine o - thers

dim their own

œ œ œ œ œnœ ™ nœ œ œ Œ œ nœ ‰ œ œ œ œ ˙ J

∑

Those who call them - selves righ - teous can't know how wrong they are.

B/G

B/F©

Œ Œ ≈œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ac - com - plish - ments

done.

B B/G B/F©

FŒ„Š7

di - mi - nish

the things

‰ j œJ œ œJ œ œ œ ˙ œ

‰ œj œ œ œ œ ˙ C

Com pared to the Tao,

FŒ„Š7

we are to fol - low

j ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ nœJ œ ‰ Œ J

‰ œj

these ac - tions are un - wor - thy

# & # œJ œ œJ œ œnœ nœ œ œ œ nœ œ nœ œ œ œ ˙

∑

œ œ œ œœ œœ œ œ J J

# j & # nœ ™ œ œ œ Œ Œ Ó C

Those who try

Those who boast of their

∑

do not stand firm - ly.

∑

## & œ œ œ œœ

œ œ œ œ œ œ˙ J J

far.

∑

FŒ„Š7

Those who stand on tip - toes

∑

U ∑

the Tao,

we must not do these things.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Before the universe was born there was something in the chaos of the heavens. It stands alone and empty, solitary and unchanging. It is ever present and secure. It may be regarded as the Mother of the universe. Because I do not know its name, I call it the Tao. If forced to give it a name, I would call it ‘Great’. Because it is Great means it is everywhere. Being everywhere means it is eternal. Being eternal means everything returns to it. Tao is great. Heaven is great. Earth is great. Humanity is great. Within the universe, these are the four great things. Humanity follows the earth. Earth follows Heaven. Heaven follows the Tao. The Tao follows only itself.

TaoSong 25

TaoSong 25 q = 120

#### 4 ∑ & #4 B

EŒ„Š7

‰ j œ œœ œ œ œ œœ

∑

Be - fore the u- ni - verse was born

#### & # œ œœœœ œ œ Œ EŒ„Š7

os of

#### & #

the hea - vens.

EŒ„Š7

chang

∑

EŒ„Š7

may be re - gar - ded as the Mo - ther

EŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œ œ œ™ ˙ I call it

#### & #

ty,

so - li - ta - ry and un

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

Œ™

j œ

Be - cause I do not know its name,

EŒ„Š7

If forced to give it a name,

EŒ„Š7

Great means it

EŒ„Š7

œ œ œœœœ I would call

Œ Œ ™ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œj 42 œ œ œ 44 Ó ˙ ˙™ œ œ Be - cause it is

Ó ‰ j œ œ œœ œ œ œ ˙

‰ j œ œ œ œ œœœ

EŒ„Š7

of the u - ni - verse.

the Tao.

'Great'.

œœœœ œ œ

EŒ„Š7

#### œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ ˙ & #

#### & # Œ

It is e - ver pre - sent and se - cure.

ing.

Ó ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ™ It stands a - lone and emp

œ œœ œ

there was some - thing in the cha

EŒ„Š7

∑

œ œ œ œ ˙

Œ œ œ œ

Œ Ó

is e - very - where.

Ó œ œœ œ Be - ing e - very

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 25, continued

#### j 2 4 j & # œ œ œ œ œ 4 œ œ œ œ 4 œ œ™ œ Ó œ

EŒ„Š7

where

#### & #

EŒ„Š7

means it

is e - ter

j j œ ™ œ™ œ œ œ ˙

means e - very - thing re - turns

Be - ing e

F©

œ œœœœ˙

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œj

nal.

G©‹

EŒ„Š7

it.

ter

nal

EŒ„Š7

œœœ œ Œ œ Tao is great.

#### ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 42 & # œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ

EŒ„Š7

Hea - ven is

#### 2 & #4 œ

EŒ„Š7

great.

Earth is

EŒ„Š7

great. Hu - ma - ni - ty is great. With - in the u - ni - verse, these are the

EŒ„Š7

Hu - ma - ni - ty fol - lows the earth.

#### & # œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ™ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œœœ EŒ„Š7

EŒ„Š7

4 4 ˙™ Œ Ó Œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ Œ œœ œ

four great things.

EŒ„Š7

Hea - ven fol - lows the Tao.

EŒ„Š7

The Tao fol - lows on - ly it

TaoSongs.com

œœ ˙ -

self.

Earth fol - lows Hea - ven.

EŒ„Š7

U Ó B

Heaviness is the basis of lightness. Stillness is the standard of activity. Thus the Master travels all day without ever leaving her wagon. Even though she has much to see, she is at peace in her indifference. Why should the lord of a thousand chariots be amused at the foolishness of the world? If you abandon yourself to foolishness, you lose touch with your beginnings. If you let yourself become distracted, you will lose the basis of your power.

TaoSong 26

TaoSong 26 q = 122 FŒ„Š7

4 &4

∑

FŒ„Š7

∑

œœŒ Ó

™™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Hea - vi - ness is the ba - sis of light - ness.

FŒ„Š7

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Still - ness is the stan - dard of ac - ti - vi - ty.

Thus the Mas - ter

Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

leav - ing her wa - gon. E - ven though she has much to see,

& œ œ ˙

& œ™ touch

j œ œ

with your

the world?

œ C

œ œ

peace

j œ œ œ in her

of a thou - sand cha - ri - ots be a - mused

be - gin - nings.

FŒ„Š7

If you a - ban - don yourself to foo - lish - ness,

at the

j ™ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

you lose

FŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

you let your - self be - come dis - trac

j & œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

œ™

Why should the lord

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

FŒ„Š7

3 j Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ

foo - lish - ness of

she is at

dif - fe - rence.

tra - vels all day with - out e - ver

∑

ted,

∑

you will lose the ba - sis of your po - wer.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

A good traveler leaves no tracks, and a skillful speaker is well rehearsed. A good bookkeeper has an excellent memory, and a well made door is easy to open and needs no locks. A good knot needs no rope and it can not come undone. Thus the Master is willing to help everyone, and doesn’t know the meaning of rejection. She is there to help all of creation, and doesn’t abandon even the smallest creature. This is called embracing the light. What is a good person but a bad person’s teacher? What is a bad person but raw material for his teacher? If you fail to honor your teacher or fail to enjoy your student, you will become deluded no matter how smart you are. It is the secret of prime importance.

TaoSong 27

q = 126

#4 & 4

∑

2 4

∑

4Ó 4

j œ™ œ œ œ™ œj œ

Œ™

# & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

skill - ful spea - ker is well

good

tra - ve - ler

j œ œ œJ

leaves

œ ‰ œœ

tracks,

and a

3 j j j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœœ œ œ ‰ j œ

re - hearsed.

A good book - kee - per has

j Œ Œ ‰ j œ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ & œ œ œ œ jœ j œ œ œ œœ œ

ex - cel - lent me - mo - ry,

and a well made door

is ea

sy to o - pen

# j j j & Œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

and needs

# & œj œ œj œj œ j œ

can not come un - done.

locks.

Œ Œ ‰

A good knot

needs no

rope and it

j œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ C

Thus the Mas - ter is wil - ling

to help

e - very - one

and

# j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œj

does - n't know the mean - ing of re - jec

tion. She is there to help all of cre

tion, and

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 27, continued

2 26

j œ œj œ œ œ œœ œ

& œ ™ œj œ œ œ œ œj œ™ Ó does - n't

& œ œ œ ˙™

a - ban - don

‰ ™ œr œ œ œ

the light.

e - ven the smal - lest

œ œœ œ œ œ œ

fail to en - joy your stu - dent,

j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

mat - ter how

# j & œ œ™

smart

you

crea - ture.

This is called em - bra - cing

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ œ ≈ œ œœ per - son but a bad

per - son's tea - cher? What is a

j ‰ œ œ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj

bad per - son but raw ma - te - ri - al for his tea - cher?

œ œ œ œ œ œœ

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ

œ œ™ Ó J

What is a good

If you fail

to ho - nor your tea - cher

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ ˙

Œ Ó

you will

j œ ˙ G

are.

be - come

Œ™

œ œ œ

It is the

se - cret

œ œ œ

In Time

im - por

tance.

˙™

TaoSongs.com

j œ

de - lu - ded

Freely

œ œ

prime

Know the masculine, but keep to the feminine: and become a watershed to the world. If you embrace the world, the Tao will never leave you and you become as a little child. Know the white, yet keep to the black: be a model for the world. If you are a model for the world, the Tao inside you will strengthen and you will return whole to your eternal beginning. Know the honorable, but do not shun the disgraced: embracing the world as it is. If you embrace the world with compassion, then your virtue will return you to the uncarved block. The block of wood is carved into utensils by carving void into the wood. The Master uses the utensils, yet prefers to keep to the block because of its limitless possibilities. Great works do not involve discarding substance.

TaoSong 28

q = 84 A‹

4 &4

∑

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œJ ‰ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œJ

™™ Œ

Know the mas - cu - line, but

keep to

the fe - mi - nine: and

œ œ ™ & Œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œR

be - come a wa - ter - shed

the world.

you em - brace the world,

œ & œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

Tao will ne - ver leave you

& œ œ

œ œ Ó

keep to the black:

& œ œ œ œ œ

& <#>œ#œ œ œ Ó

Œ œ œ œ Œ ‰™ r œ

and you be - come as a lit - tle child.

Know the white,

yet

Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™œ™ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ be a mo - del for the world.

If you are a mo - del for the world, the

œ œ ‰ ™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ ™ œ œ#œ œ

Tao in - side you will streng - then

the

2 4

and you will re - turn wholeto your e - ter - nal be - gin - ning.

∑

FŒ„Š7

4 4

∑

r ™ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ & œœ œ œ œ™ œ œ

25 FŒ„Š7

Know the ho - no - ra - ble,

but do not shun the dis - graced:

FŒ„Š7

SOLO

™™

∑

™™

FŒ„Š7

‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

œ œœœ

em - bra - cing the world as

it is.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 28, continued

2 C

FŒ„Š7

r & œ Œ Œ ‰™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ

you em - brace the world with com - pas - sion, then your vir - tue will re - turn you to

& œj œ j Œ œ œ

A‹

∑

SOLO

™™

™™ Ó

Œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ ˙ ™

un - carved block.

The block of wood is carved

j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰™ r œ

& œ œ œ œ œ œJ œ ™ in - to u - ten - sils

by car - ving void

œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ

Mas - ter u - ses the u - ten

& ˙™

FŒ„Š7

∑

the

sils,

in - to

the wood.

‰ œ #œj œ ™

œ œœœœ œ Ó yet pre - fers

to keep

FŒ„Š7

∑

™™

œœ the block

3 ™™ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ

FŒ„Š7

∑

SOLO

The

be - cause of its li - mit - less

& œ œ œ œ pos - si - bi

& ˙

Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

FŒ„Š7

‰

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

li - ties.

FŒ„Š7

‰ œj œœœ ˙ dis - car - ding

‰

Great works do

œ œ ˙™

sub - stance.

TaoSongs.com

FŒ„Š7

not

in - volve

∑

Do you want to rule the world and control it? I don’t think it can ever be done.

The world is a sacred vessel and it can not be controlled. You will only make it worse if you try. It may slip through your fingers and disappear. Some are meant to lead, and others are meant to follow; Some must always strain, and others have an easy time; Some are naturally big and strong, and others will always be small; Some will be protected and nurtured, and others will meet with destruction. The Master accepts things as they are, and out of compassion avoids extravagance, excess and the extremes.

TaoSong 29

q = 66 FŒ„Š7

12 &8

SOLO

∑

FŒ„Š7

™™ œ œ œ œ œj œ œ ™ j œ œ œ

∑

Do you want C

FŒ„Š7

& œ œ œ œ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ I don't think C

e - ver can be done. FŒ„Š7

™ œ œœœ Œ

to rule the world and

™ œ™ Œ

- sel 13 FŒ„Š7

and

can not C

j Œ œj œ™ œ œj œ™ œ œ

Œ™

The world is a sa - cred ves FŒ„Š7 C SOLO

con - trolled.

You will on - ly make it worse if C FŒ„Š7

Œ™

& œ œ œ ˙™ dis - appear. 19 FŒ„Š7

you try.

slip through your

fin - gers

Some are meant to lead, FŒ„Š7

Some must al - ways strain, and FŒ„Š7 C

and o - thers are meant to fol - low; FŒ„Š7 C

o - thers will al - ways

& œ™ Œ™

tured, 30 FŒ„Š7

j j & œ œ œ œ œ™

be small; FŒ„Š7 4

and

Mas - ter ac - cepts 33 FŒ„Š7 C

& œ™ œ

∑ ™™ œ œj œ œj œ œj œ œœ

∑

Some will be pro - tec - ted and nur C

Œ™ Œ œj œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Œ™

o - thers will meet C

j j ™ œ œ œ œ œ

things as they FŒ„Š7

voids ex - tra - va - gance,

ex - cess

and

Œ™

with des - truc - tion. FŒ„Š7

are,

‰ ‰ œj

The C

‰ ‰ œj œ œj j œ œj œ Œ œj œ and out

6 12 j 8 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ 8 œ œœ 4

j6 œœ 8

o - thers have an ea - sy time; Some are na - tu - rally big and strong, and FŒ„Š7 C FŒ„Š7 SOLO

6 j œ 12 j Œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™ ™™ &8 œ œ 8 œ œ œ œ

and

4 j j j j j & œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ™ œ œœœ œ œ œ œ œ

™™

‰ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

œ œ œ œ ˙™

∑

Œ œj œ œJ œ œj œ j œ

It may

∑

™™

FŒ„Š7

j j j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œj œ œ ™ Œ œj ™ œ

Œ™

con - trol it? FŒ„Š7

6 12 & œj œ œ œj œ ™ Œ œj 8 œ œj œ œ œ 8 œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ Œ ™

Œ™

the ex - tremes.

œ™

of com - pas - sion FŒ„Š7 C

Œ™ Œ™

™™

∑

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

™™

Those who lead people by following the Tao don’t use weapons to enforce their will. Using force always leads to unseen troubles. In the places where armies march, thorns and briars bloom and grow. After armies take to war, bad years must always follow. The skillful commander strikes a decisive blow then stops. When victory is won over the enemy through war it is not a thing of great pride. When the battle is over, arrogance is the new enemy. War can result when no other alternative is given, so the one who overcomes an enemy should not dominate them. The strong always weaken with time. This is not the way of the Tao. That which is not of the Tao will soon end.

TaoSong 30

TaoSong 30 q = 114

#### 4 ∑ & 4 CŒ„Š7

E‹

∑ ™™ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Those who lead peo - ple B7

#### j & œ œ™ Ó E

fol - lo - wing the Tao E

don't use wea - pons to en - force A E

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ Œ œ œ

their will. A

U - sing force al - ways leads to un - seen trou - bles. In the pla - ces where ar - mies march, E A E A

#### œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ‰ œj 42 œ œ œ œ 44 &

thorns and bri - ars bloom and grow.

#### 4 ‰ j Ó & 4 œ œ E

#### &

∑

CŒ„Š7

2. E‹

™™ Ó

∑

fol - low. E

bad

Œ ‰ j œ ™ œŒ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

The skill - ful com - man - der strikes a de E

ci sive blow then stops. When vic - to - ry B7 E

not A

War

a thing of great

pride. E

œ œ œ™

can re - sult

when

œ œ ™ œ œj ‰ œ œ

o - ver the e - ne - my through war E A

is won A

#### &

‰

j œ

œ œ œ

o - ther al - ter - na - tive

gi - ven,

˙™

Tao.

not do - mi - nate them. E

Œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ

ar - ro gance is the new e - ne - my. E

When the bat - tle is o - ver, A

one who o - ver - comes an e - ne - my should B7 2. E‹

#### Ó &

it is

œ ‰ œ œ œ œœ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ Œ

#### œ œ œœœ œœ œ™ œ 42 œ œ ™ œ 44 œ œ Œ Ó & œœ

years must al - ways

j œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

#### œ™ &

ar - mies take to war,

1 . E‹

™™ ∑

#### j & œ œ™ œ œ œ ˙

Af - ter

˙™

The strong al - ways wea - ken with time. B7 E

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙™

That which is

not

of the

Tao

CŒ„Š7

™™

∑

œ œ

so the

1 . E‹

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ This is not the way A E

of the

U ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ will

soon

end.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

™™

Weapons are the bearers of bad news; all people should detest them.

The wise man values the left side, and in time of war he values the right. Weapons are meant for destruction, and thus are avoided by the wise. Only as a last resort will a wise person use a deadly weapon. If peace is her true objective how can she rejoice in the victory of war? Those who rejoice in victory delight in the slaughter of humanity. Those who resort to violence will never bring peace to the world. The left side is a place of honor on happy occasions. The right side is reserved for mourning at a funeral. When the lieutenants take the left side to prepare for war, the general should be on the right side, because he knows the outcome will be death. The death of many should be greeted with great sorrow, and the victory celebration should honor those who have died.

TaoSong 31

TaoSong 31 q = 120 A‹

4 &4 Ó

E‹

D‹

∑

D‹

Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œj œ™

∑

Wea - pons are the bea - rers

E‹

FŒ„Š7

Œ Ó & Œ ‰ jœ œ œ œ œ œ of bad

& Ó

Œ™

j œ œœ œ œ

news;

all

Œ™

œœœœ˙

det - est them.

Œ ‰ œj œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™ ‰ œj œ ‰ j j Ó J œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ C

D‹

E‹

FŒ„Š7

and in time of war

A‹

he va - lues the right.

G7/B

≈ j j & œ œ œ œ œj œ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙™ Wea - pons are meant for des - truc - tion, and thus

œœ œ œœ

On - ly as a last re - sort G

& ˙

her

D‹

& œ œ ˙

ry of war?

A‹

are a - void - ed by

A‹

& Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œj œ œ

j œ œ œ

pe - ople should

The wise man va - lues the left side,

A‹/E

will a wise

œœœœœœ œœ˙

true ob - jec - tive

∑

the wise.

FŒ„Š7

j j œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

A‹

œ œœœ œœ how can she

∑

Œ œ œ œ

per - son use a dead - ly wea - pon.

G7/B

∑

re - joice

D‹

j j œ œ œœœ œ œ œ œ ˙ 3

Those who re - joice in

vic - to - ry

If peace is E‹

œœ œœ

in the vic - to -

‰ œj

de -

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 31, continued 2 38

E‹

FŒ„Š7

& œ œœ œ œœœ œœœœœœŒ

‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj

light in the slaugh - ter of hu - ma - ni - ty. 42

& œ œœ œ œ œ œœœ

Those who re - sort

E‹

G7/B

sions.

œ œ œ œœ˙

at a fu

A‹

& ˙

the ge - ne - ral

Œ ™ œj œj œ œ J be - cause he

j œj œ œ œ ™ œj j ™ œ œ œ J G

& Œ™

The death of

A‹

knows

ma - ny

should be

E‹

& œœœœ œ œ œ - to - ry ce - le - bra - tion

œ œ œ œ™ œ Œ

re - served

for mourning G

lieu- te - nants take the left side G

œœ˙

should

A‹

œ œ œœœœ

on the right side,

j j j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

ho - nor

œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ ˙

Œ ™ œj œ œ œ œ œ

∑

œ œ

When the

to pre - pare for war,

ne - ral.

of A‹

The right side

œœ œ ˙

j œ œ œ & œ œ œ™

is a place

will

œ œ œ œ œj œ j œ

j ‰ j j jœ j jœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

on happy oc - ca 50

The left side

o - lence

D‹

Œ ‰ œj œJ œ™ œ œ œ œ

FŒ„Š7

& Œ™

to vi

ne - ver bring peace to the world.

E‹

A‹

∑

the out - come will be death.

A‹

G7/B

œ œ œ œ œ œœœ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ

greet - ed with great sor

‰ j œ œœ œ œ

D‹

should ho - nor those

TaoSongs.com

row,

j j œ œ œ ˙ who have died.

and the vic

U ∑

The Tao is nameless and unchanging. Although it appears insignificant, nothing in the world can contain it. If a ruler abides by its principles, then her people will willingly follow. Heaven would then reign on earth, like sweet rain falling on paradise. People would have no need for laws, because the law would be written on their hearts. Naming is a necessity for order, but naming can not order all things. Naming often makes things impersonal, so we should know when naming should end. Knowing when to stop naming, you can avoid the pitfall it brings. All things end in the Tao just as the small streams and the largest rivers flow through valleys to the sea.

TaoSong 32

q = 108

#### 4 & 4Ó E

∑

™™ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ A

The Tao is name - less and un - chang - ing.

3 #### ‰ j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™ Ó

Al - though it appears in - sig - ni - fi - cant,

#### œ Ó & J œ™

∑

it.

F©‹

peo - ple will

wil - ling - ly fol - low.

#### j œ œ œj œ œ œ œ ˙™ & œ

F©‹

sweet rain

#### Ó &

noth - ing in the world

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

hea - ven would then reign on

‰ œj œ œ µ

law would be writ - ten on

Œ™

earth,

their hearts.

for laws,

œ œ œœœ œ œœ

Na - ming is a ne - ces - si - ty

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

j œ

œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ ™ Ó

‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œj œ œ œ œ œ Œ A

be - cause the

prin - ci - ples, then her

F©‹

Peo - ple would have no need

fal - ling on pa - ra - dise.

can con - tain

Œ ‰ œ œ œj œ œj œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ F©‹

If a ru - ler a - bides by its

#### œ œ œ œ œ & œ œ Œ Ó œ œ

‰ œj œ œ

TaoSong 32, continued

#### Ó &

™™ Ó

∑

SOLO

F©‹

#### & œ™ œ ˙ B

na - ming can not or - der all

∑

™™

œ œ

Na - ming of - ten makes things im -

j œ œ œj œ œ œ

F©‹

we should know when na - ming should end.

Kno - wing when to stop

∑

™™ Ó

SOLO

∑

™™

the pit - fall it brings.

#### Œ œ œ œ œ œœœ ˙ & A

Œ™

All things end in the Tao

∑

™™ ™™

œ œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ œ ˙™

#### Ó &

‰ j œ œ œ

na - ming, you can a - void

F©‹

things.

#### j j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œœ ˙

F©‹

∑

F©‹

per - so - nal,

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙™ œ œ

but

or - der,

####Last Time ™ Ó Œ &

Œ œ œ œ œ™ Ó J for

œ œ œ œœ œ ˙

and the larg - est ri - vers

j œ œ œ œ A

œ œ

just as the small

Œ œ

TaoSongs.com

streams

Slowly

œ œ œ œ œœ œ

flow through val - leys

the sea.

∑

Those who know others are intelligent; those who know themselves are truly wise. Those who master others are strong; those who master themselves have true power. Those who know they have enough are truly wealthy. Those who persist will reach their goal. Those who keep their course have a strong will. Those who embrace death will not perish, but have life everlasting.

TaoSong 33

TaoSong 33 q = 110 FŒ„Š7

4 &4

∑

CŒ„Š7

∑

FŒ„Š7

∑

CŒ„Š7

™™ ˙

‰ œ™ œ Œ œ œœ œ œ

œœ œ œ ˙

Those who know o - thers 8

FŒ„Š7

∑

‰ j œ œ œ œœ

œ œ œ œj œ ™

those who know them - selves 14

‰

& ˙

j œ œ

are

& ˙

œœ˙

Those who mas - ter o - thers

FŒ„Š7

∑

œ œ œ œ j œ™ œ

strong; FŒ„Š7

∑

™™

CŒ„Š7

∑

SOLO

∑

CŒ„Š7

31 CŒ„Š7

& œœ˙

∑

™™ œ œ ˙

˙ œ œ

∑

goal.

œ œ œœœ Œ

‰ j œœ

e - ver

œ œ

CŒ„Š7

œ ™ œj ˙ -

‰ j œ œ œ

will reach their

CŒ„Š7

œœ

Those who keep their course

Those who em - brace death

Those who per - sist

œ œ œ œ ˙

Ó j & œ œ œ œ œ œ™ & Ó

∑

FŒ„Š7

37 FŒ„Š7

FŒ„Š7

are tru - ly weal - thy.

have true

Those who know they have

j & œ œ™ Œ ‰ œ œ œ e - nough

j œ œ

FŒ„Š7

po - wer. 26

‰

those who mas - ter them - selves

∑

œ œ™ œ

˙™

j œ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™

∑

in - tel - li - gent;

FŒ„Š7

are tru - ly wise.

CŒ„Š7

19 CŒ„Š7

CŒ„Š7

are

‰

have a strong

CŒ„Š7

j œ œ œœ ˙

will not

pe - rish,

∑

FŒ„Š7

œ ™ œj ˙

∑

will.

FŒ„Š7

Œ ‰ œj œ œ œœ œ œ ˙ but

SOLO

™™

œœ

∑

CŒ„Š7

have

life

∑

las - ting.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

™™

The great Tao flows unobstructed in every direction. All things rely on it to conceive and be born, and it does not deny even the smallest of creation. When it has accomplished great wonders, it does not claim them for itself. It nourishes infinite worlds, yet it doesn’t seek to master the smallest creature. Since it is without wants and desires, it can be considered humble. All of creation seeks it for refuge yet it does not seek to master or control. Because it does not seek greatness; it is able to accomplish truly great things.

TaoSong 34

TaoSong 34 q = 54

#6 & 8 ∑ G

E‹ G

Œ™ ‰ Œ

∑

E‹

Œ ™ ‰ Œ ™™ Œ ™ ‰ ‰ j ™ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œJ œ œ™ œ The great Tao flows C

un - ob- struc - ted G

# j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ ‰ œ œ œ™ œ ™ œj ‰ œJ œ œ œ œ œJ œ Œ ™ C

e - very di - rec

tion.

All things re - ly

on it

to con - ceive C

and be

born,

# ™ j‰ œ Œ j Œ ‰ ‰ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ≈ œr & r œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ J œ G

and

it does not de - ny

e - ven the smal - lest C 3

cre - a

tion.

When

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œJ œ Œ ™

it has ac - com - plished greatwon - ders, G

& œ œ œ œ Œ™

œœ œ

It nour - ish - es

# & œ œ œ œ™

∑

lest crea - ture. G

∑

it does not claim them for it -

∑

self.

œ ‰ ‰ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™

in - fi - nite worlds, G

yet G

∑

it does - n't

∑

seek C

to mas - ter D

∑

Œ™ œ œ œ œ

D(“4) D

the smal C

Œ™ Œ™

∑

j‰ ‰ ‰œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œœ J œ œ

∑

Since it is with - out

wants and de - si - res, it can be con - si - dered C G

hum - ble.

# 3 6 & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ 8 œ œ œ 8 œJ œ Œ ™

All of cre - a - tion G

# & ∑

# & Œ™ Œ™

D(“4) D

seeks it for re - fuge yet it does not seek to mas - ter or con C

trol.

j œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ™ œ™ œ ™ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ

∑

Be - cause it does not seekgreat - ness; G

tru

œ œj œœ œ œ œ œ œ ™ J ly great

∑

it is

∑

ble

∑

œ œ œ™œ™

to ac - com - plish

∑

U ∑

things.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

She who follows the way of the Tao will draw the world to her steps. She can go without fear of being injured, because she has found peace and tranquility in her heart. Where there is music and good food, people will stop to enjoy it. But words spoken of the Tao seem to them boring and stale. When looked at, there is nothing for them to see. When listened for, there is nothing for them to hear. Yet if they put it to use, it would never be exhausted.

TaoSong 35

TaoSong 35 q = 100

#4 & 4

E‹

D(„ˆˆ2)

∑

A7 E‹

D(„ˆˆ2)

∑

Œ Œ

E‹

Œ Œ ™™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

She who fol - lows the way of the Tao will

D(„ˆˆ2)

™ œr œ œ œœœ œ œ ≈ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ #œ

E‹

& œ œ œ œ œœœ Œ

D(„ˆˆ2)

draw the world to her steps. She can go with - out fear E‹ D(„ˆˆ2) A A7

# œ œ œ œ™ & œ œ J

# & ™™

E‹

and

D(„ˆˆ2)

∑

of be - ing in - jured, G

‰ œj œ œ™ œ œ œ œ

cause she has found peace A

‰

1 . D(„ˆˆ2)

∑

be-

∑

œ œj œ™ œ œ

tran - qui - li - ty E‹

her heart.

2. D(„ˆˆ2)

™™ Ó

j ‰ œ

Where

# & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ E‹

there

mu - sic and

good

food,

# & œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ E‹

D(„ˆˆ2)

& ‰

j œ œ™ for them

D(„ˆˆ2)

bo - ring and

‰™

see. A7

peo - ple will stop A7

stale.

r œ œ œ œ G

& ≈œ œ œ Ó

to hear.

œ œ

œ™

When lis - tened for, there G

∑

But

noth - ing

œ œ œ

noth - ing

‰

Yet if they put it to use,

it.

œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ

When looked at, there is

j & ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ for them

E‹

j ≈ œr œ

to en - joy

j ‰ ™ œr œ ≈ œ œ œ œ™ œ

œ œ œ™

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

D(„ˆˆ2)

words spo - ken of the Tao seem to them

D(„ˆˆ2)

œ œ œ œ œœ

it would ne - ver be ex-

∑

haus - ted.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

If you want something to return to the source, you must first allow it to spread out. If you want something to weaken, you must first allow it to become strong. If you want something to be removed, you must first allow it to flourish. If you want to possess something, you must first give it away. This is called the subtle understanding of how things are meant to be. The soft and pliable overcomes the hard and inflexible. Just as fish remain hidden in deep waters, it is best to keep weapons out of sight.

TaoSong 36

q = 140

4 &4

∑

A‹

∑

™™ œ œ œ œ

œ ˙

Œ ™ œj œ ™ j œ

If you want some - thing to

A‹

& œj ™ Œ ™ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ the source,

& œ œ œ œ

If you want some - thing

& ˙ to

be - come

moved,

∑

SOLO

& ™™

∑

j œ œ œ œ œ œ

∑

œ ˙

If you want some - thing to

you must first al - low

œ œ œ œ

& œ œ œ œ™

you must first al - low it

strong.

A‹

Œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ

ken,

out.

œœœœ ˙ wea

œœœœ ˙

spread

A‹

Œ œœœœ œ œœœ

∑

A‹

∑

˙ to

A‹

you must first al - low it

re - turn

j œ œ™

œœœœ be

re-

∑

flour - ish.

™™ œ œ œ œ œ œ

j œ ‰ œ œ

If you want to pos - sess some - thing,

you must

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 36, continued

2 35

A‹

& œ ‰ œj œ œ œ first

give it

œ œ œ œ œ

a - way.

A‹

& œj œ œj œ œ œ œj œ ™

hard and

in - flex

‰ & œ œ œ œ œ œœ ˙ wa

∑

SOLO

& ™™

ters,

∑

A‹

∑

‰

j j œ œ œ

∑

o - ver - comes

j œ œ œ œ

fish

re - main

FŒ„Š7

the

A‹

∑

TaoSongs.com

∑

out

œ œ œ œ

hid - den in deep

j œ œ™ œ œ œ

to keep wea - pons

Just

‰™ r œ œ

it is best

j œ

j ‰ j j œ œ œ œj œ œj œ œ j œ œ œ œ F

Œ™

A‹

i - ble.

Œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

The soft and pli - a - ble

j œ œ œ œ œ

& œj œ

This is called the subtle un - der - stan - ding

how things are meant to be.

of sight.

FŒ„Š7

∑

™™

∑

U ∑

The Tao never acts with force, yet there is nothing that it can not do.

If rulers could follow the way of the Tao, then all of creation would willingly follow their example. If selfish desires were to arise after their transformation, I would erase them with the power of the Uncarved Block. By the power of the Uncarved Block, future generations would lose their selfish desires. By losing their selfish desires, the world would naturally settle into peace.

TaoSong 37

TaoSong 37 q = 132 FŒ„Š7

4 &4 ∑

∑

A‹

1.G

∑

2. G

FŒ„Š7

™™ Ó

∑

j j j & œ œ œj œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ ˙ G

FŒ„Š7

noth - ing

that it can not

way A‹

˙ Ó

then all of cre - a

their ex - am

tion

ru - lers could fol - low the

FŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙™

would wil - ling - ly F

fol C

low

j j j j Ó Œ ‰ j œ™ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ 42 œ œj 44 œ œ ˙ ™ œ œ G

& œ œ œ œœ œœ ˙

FŒ„Š7

of the Tao,

yet there is

j j Ó Œ ‰ j œ œ œj œ œ œj œ

A‹

do.

A‹

j j œ œ œ

Tao ne - ver acts with force,

j & œ ™ œ œj œ œj œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ

A‹

Œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ w œ The

ple.

sel - fish de - si - res were

to a

∑

rise

3 j j 2 j j 4 j j Ó Ó j j œ œ œ œ œ œ & œ 4 œ œ 4 œœ ˙™ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ ˙ ˙

af - ter their trans - for

& ∑

FŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œ œj œ ™

carved C

I would e - rase them

tion,

j œ œ œ œ œ™

of the Un-

A‹

FŒ„Š7

∑

Block. A‹

™™ ∑

j j Œ œ œ œ & œ œ œ œœ œ œ ™ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙™

43 FŒ„Š7

A‹

By the po - wer of the Un - carved Block, fu - ture ge - ne - ra - tions G FŒ„Š7 C

& Œ ™ œj œj œ™ œ œ œ œ ˙ sel - fish

& œ œ œ œ œj œ™ - tu - ral - ly

Œ™

de - sires. FŒ„Š7

A‹

∑

FŒ„Š7

Œ œ œ œ

By lo - sing their sel - fish de - sires, C

∑

™™

w œ œ

the world would na

∑

peace.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

would lose their A‹

j j œ œ j œ œ j œ œj œ ‰ j œ œœ œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙™

set - tle in - to

with the po - wer

The highest good is not to seek to do good, but to The allowhighest yourself to become good is not toit.seek to do good, The ordinary person seeks to good things, but to allow yourself todo become it. and finds they can not do them continually. Thethat ordinary person seeks to do good things, and finds that they can not do them continually. The Master does not force virtue on others, thus she is Master able to accomplish hervirtue task. on others, The does not force The ordinary person uses force, her task. thus she is ablewho to accomplish will find that they accomplish nothing. The ordinary person who uses force, will find that they accomplish nothing. The kind person acts from the heart, and accomplishes a multitude of things. The kind person acts from the heart, The righteous person actsa out of pity,of things. and accomplishes multitude yet leaves things undone. Themany righteous person acts out of pity, The moral personmany will act out of duty, yet leaves things undone. and when one person will respond Theno moral will act out of duty, will rolland up when his sleeves force. no oneand willuse respond will roll up his sleeves and use force. When the Tao is forgotten, there is righteousness. When When righteousness morality. the Tao is forgotten, there is righteousness. When When morality is forgotten,isthere is the law. righteousness forgotten, there is morality. The law is themorality husk of is faith, When forgotten, there is the law. and trust theisbeginning chaos. Theislaw the husk of faith, and trust is the beginning of chaos. Our basic understandings are not from the Tao because they come from the depths ourfrom misunderstanding. Our basic understandings areofnot the Tao The master abides the fruit in the husk. because theyincome fromand the not depths of our misunderstanding. She dwells in the Tao, The master abides in the fruit and not in the husk. and notShe with the things dwells in the that Tao, hide it. This isand hownot shewith increases in wisdom. the things that hide it. This is how she increases in wisdom. 39 The masters of old attained unity with the Tao.

TaoSong 38

q = 122 A‹

SOLO 4 ∑ &4

∑

™™ Ó

j j œ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ J

Œ™

The 6

high - est good is not to seek to do good,

3 j j œ ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ œJ œ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™ œ

but to al low your - self to

be - come it.

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ &

j œ ‰ œ œœ œœ

∑

œœœœ œ œœœœ œ ˙ 3

con - ti - nu- al - ly.

™™ ∑

3 j œ j œ œ œ œ œ™ ™ Œ œ Jœ œ œ œ œ J

™™ Ó

∑

The

Mas - ter does not force vir - tue on o - thers,

3 jœ œ Œ Œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ J œ œ J œ j œœœœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

thus she is a - ble to ac - com - plish her task. 25

& œ œ œ œ œ œ & ™™ ∑

∑

SOLO

™™ Ó

The or - di - na - ry per - son who u - ses force,

noth

will

A‹

œœœœ œ œœœœ œ ˙

∑

j œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Ó J 3

find that they ac - com - plish

and

œœœœ œ

finds that they can not do them 14 A‹ SOLO

& œœŒ Ó

The or-di - na - ry per - son seeks to do good things,

ing.

3 œ œ œ Œ ™ œj œJ œ œj œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œœ J J

The

kind per - son acts

from the heart,

and ac - com - plish - es a mul - ti -

œ œ ‰ œj œ œ Œ ‰ j j & J j œ œ œ œ œ œ J 3 œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

- tude

done.

of things. The right - eous per - son acts out of

Œ™

pi - ty,

j j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

The mo - ral per - son will act out of

du - ty,

yet leaves ma - ny things un -

‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ and when no

one will re -

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 38, continued 2

j & œ ‰œ œ œ œœ

œœ œ œœœœ˙ A‹

spond will roll up his sleeves

and use

∑

™™ ∑

∑

SOLO

™™

force.

œ œ œj œ œ œ œj œ œ™ Œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œj œ œ J J j œ œ œ œ œj œ j & J œ J J J œ œ

When the Tao is

& Ó

for - got - ten,

there is

œ œœ œœ˙

Œ ‰ j œœœœœ œ Ó œ œ œ

there is mo - ra - li - ty. 61

Ó & j œ œ™

& &

1 .2.3.

∑

™™ ∑

∑

SOLO

∑

™™ ™™ ∑

™™ Ó

Œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œ J œ J J G

C 3

ba - sic un - der - stan - dings are not from

mas - ter a - bides in the fruit

& œ

œ œ

and not in

j œ œ œ œ œ™

not with the things that hide F C

& Œ

j œ œ œ œ

j œ

she in - crea - ses

j œ

∑

The

the husk.

Œ ‰ j œ

œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ™ œ J J J J

Œ Ó

She dwells in the Tao,

œ œ œ œ œ ˙ G

and

it.

be-

mi - sun - der - stan - ding.

j & œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ™ œ œ œ ˙ F

∑

Œ ‰ j œ

the Tao

cause they come from the depths of our

∑

Œ Ó

œœ œ ˙

3 j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ & J œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ J

os.

Our

there is

The law is the husk of faith, and trust is the be - gin - ning of cha

œ œ

When mo - ra - li - ty is for - got - ten,

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Ó J

j j Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ œ

the law.

right - eous - ness. When right - eous - ness is for - got - ten,

This is

wis - dom.

TaoSongs.com

∑

SOLO

™™

how

∑

™™

The masters of old attained unity with the Tao. Heaven attained unity and became pure. The earth attained unity and found peace. The spirits attained unity so they could minister. The valleys attained unity that they might be full. Humanity attained unity that they might flourish. Their leaders attained unity that they might set the example. This is the power of unity. Without unity, the sky becomes filthy. Without unity, the earth becomes unstable. Without unity, the spirits become unresponsive and disappear. Without unity, the valleys become dry as a desert. Without unity, human kind can’t reproduce and becomes extinct. Without unity, our leaders become corrupt and fall. The great view the small as their source, and the high takes the low as their foundation. Their greatest asset becomes their humility. They speak of themselves as orphans and widows, thus they truly seek humility. Do not shine like the precious gem, but be as dull as a common stone.

TaoSong 39

TaoSong 39 q = 140 D‹

4 &4

∑

j Œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ™ œ œ

The

& œœœ œ œœ œœœœœ Œ u - ni - ty with the Tao.

& Ó

mas - ters of old

FŒ„Š7

j j j j Ó œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ œœ ™ œ

Hea - ven at - tained u

ni - ty

and

found

FŒ„Š7

at - tained u

ni - ty

peace.

pure.

Œ ‰ j œ

The

D‹

j j ‰ Œ ‰ j j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

so they could mi - nis - ter.

œ œ œ œ ˙™

& œ œ ‰ œj œ ™ œj œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ spi - rits

ni - ty and be - came

Œ ‰ j Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

j œ

at - tained

D‹

The earth at - tained u -

j œ œ

The val - leys

at - tained u -

& œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ™ Œ ™ j œ œ œ œ œ ™ œj œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ ni - ty

& œ œœ˙

D‹

Ó & œj œ™ - ple.

ni - ty

that they

j Œ ‰ j j j œj Œ œ œœ œ œ œœ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ

might flour - ish.

Hu - ma - ni - ty at - tained u

that they might be full.

27 FŒ„Š7

Their lea - ders at - tained

j j j œ œ œ œ œ™

This is FŒ„Š7

the po - wer

u - ni - ty

that they might set the ex - am-

A‹

Œ ™ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙™ of

u C

ni - ty.

FŒ„Š7

Œ ‰ j œ

With

FŒ„Š7

‰ j & œ œœœ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ œ œ œ œ œœœœ œ out u - ni - ty,

the sky be - comes fil - thy. With - out u - ni - ty,

the earth be - comes un - sta - ble. With

TaoSongs.com Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSong 39, continued 2

j œj j ‰ & œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ C

FŒ„Š7

out u - ni - ty,

FŒ„Š7

val - leys be - come

dry as

Œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ

With - out u - ni - ty,

Œ œ œ™ œj œ œ ˙

j & œj œ œ ˙

duce and be - comes ex - tinct.

j ‰ j œ œœœ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ With - out u - ni - ty,

de - sert.

hu - man kind can't re - pro

‰ j Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ With - out

& œ œ ˙

∑

our

u - ni - ty, D‹

∑

j œ œ œj œ ™

j œ

lea - ders be - come

cor-

FŒ„Š7

∑

Œ ‰ j œ

rupt and fall.

The

j & œ œ œ œ œ™ Ó

œ œ

great view the small

& œ œ Ó

da - tion.

& œ œ œ

as their source,

j Œ ‰ j j œ œ œ œ ˙™ œ œ œ

œ™

j œ œ œ œ œŒ œ 3

∑

j & œj œ œ œœœœ ˙

FŒ„Š7

∑

Œ œ ™ œj œ œ œ j j ‰ œ œœ œ œ j œ their hu - mi - li - ty.

œœœœ w

hu- mi - li - ty.

FŒ„Š7

j j j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ ˙

like the pre - cious gem, but be C

™™

They

thus they tru - ly seek

Do not shine 86 FŒ„Š7

j œ™ œ œ œ œ œ

j ˙ œ œ

œ œ œ œj œ ™

j œj œ œ

‰

FŒ„Š7

or - phans and wi - dows,

FŒ„Š7

and the high takes the low as their foun

D‹

speak of them - selves as 80 FŒ„Š7

Their great - est as - set be comes -

j œ œ™ Ó

69 FŒ„Š7

the

FŒ„Š7

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 55

œ œœ œ

the spi - rits be - come un - res - pon - sive and dis - appear.

46 FŒ„Š7

∑

com - mon stone.

TaoSongs.com

FŒ„Š7

∑

™™

∑

FŒ„Š7

as dull

∑

œœ as a

∑

All movement returns to the Tao. Weakness is how the Tao works. All of creation is born from substance. Substance is born of nothing-ness.

TaoSong 40

TaoSong 40 q = 132

# ## 4 & # 4 Ó™ E

AŒ„Š7

∑

AŒ„Š7

™™ Ó™

∑

All

#### j j & œ œ œ˙

AŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œ™ œ Œ

move - ment re - turns

#### œ Ó & J œ™

#### &

∑

AŒ„Š7

Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œJ œ ™ œ œ œ J 3

Weak - ness is how

AŒ„Š7

C©‹

j œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj ˙

∑

All

∑

to the Tao.

works.

of cre - a

AŒ„Š7

j j j œ œ œ œ œ™ Sub - stance is

born

tion

the Tao

œ œ œœœ

is born from sub - stance.

j œ™ œ œ œ œ

™™

∑

Repat and Fade

∑

of no - thing - ness.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

™™

When a superior person hears of the Tao, She diligently puts it into practice. When an average person hears of the Tao, he believes half of it, and doubts the other half. When a foolish person hears of the Tao, he laughs out loud at the very idea. If he didn’t laugh, it wouldn’t be the Tao. Thus it is said: The brightness of the Tao seems like darkness, the advancement of the Tao seems like retreat, the level path seems rough, the superior path seem empty, the pure seems to be tarnished, and true virtue doesn’t seem to be enough. The virtue of caution seems like cowardice, the pure seems to be polluted, the true square seems to have no corners, the best vessels take the most time to finish, the greatest sounds cannot be heard, and the greatest image has no form. The Tao hides in the unnamed, Yet it alone nourishes and completes all things.

TaoSong 41

TaoSong 41 q = 116

# 4 & #4

∑

j Œ ‰ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ When a su - pe - ri - or per - son hears

## &

œ œ œ˙

∑

the Tao,

She di - lig - ent - ly puts

## ™ j j & Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ™ œ œ œ ˙

When an a - verage per - son hears

## &

# &#

œ œn œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ˙ of it,

the Tao,

# &# œ œ œ œ œ œ

## & œ™ D

Œ ‰

j j j œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ

‰ œj

‰™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ ™ j œ œ œ ˙ nœ œ he laughs out loud at the ve - ry i - dea.

∑

seems like

he did - n't laugh,

Œ œ œj œ œj œ Œ Œ ‰ j œ C

Thus it is

j œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ œ Œ nœ œ

bright - ness of the Tao

j œ œ œ™ œ he be - lieves half

would - n't be the Tao.

Œ ‰

When a foo - lish per - son hears

œ œ™ œ œ œ ˙

∑

the Tao,

∑

in - to prac - tice.

and doubts the o - ther half.

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ nœ œ œ ˙ 3

œ œ ˙ dark - ness,

said:

The

‰

œœ

the ad

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 41, continued 2

# j & # œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ n ˙

vance - ment of the Tao

# &#

Œ ‰ œj œ ™ œj œ œ œ

Œ Ó

œ œ œœ ˙

seems like

re - treat,

the

j j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ

œ Œ Ó

the pure seems to be tar - nished,

the su - pe - ri - or path seem emp - ty,

# &#

j œ ™ œj œj œ j j j j ™ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™ œ œ œ™ Ó

and true

# &#

le - vel path seems rough,

∑

vir - tue does - n't seem to be

∑

- nough.

j j Œ ™ j œ œ œ œ œj œ j j œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Ó œ C

∑

The vir - tue of cau - tion seems like co - war - dice,

## Œ ™ &

j œ™ œj œ

the pure

seems

## & œ ™ œ œ œ œj œ™

∑

œ œ ™ œn œ ™ œ œ œ D

to be pol - lu - ted,

the true square seems

∑

Œ™

to have no cor - ners,

## &

<n> œ œ œ œ œ

## ‰ &

œ œ

j œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ j ™ nœ œ œ œ

the best ves - sels take

to fi - nish, 71

œ Œ Œ™

form.

TaoSongs.com

Œ™

things.

∑

j œ

Yet

The Tao hides in the un - named, D

com - pletes all

heard, D

j œ œ œœ œ œ

3 ## ™ œ œ œ œ œ & œœ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ ˙

and

time

the great - est sounds can - not be

and the great - est i - mage has no

it a - lone nour - ish - es

the most

Œ ‰ j œ ™ œj ™ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ

j œ œj œ œ œœ œ

j j œj œ œ œ

Œ™

∑

The Tao gave birth to One. The One gave birth to Two. The Two gave birth to Three. The Three gave birth to all of creation. All things carry Yin yet embrace Yang. They blend their life breaths in order to produce harmony. People despise being orphaned, widowed and poor. But the noble ones take these as their titles. In losing, much is gained, and in gaining, much is lost. What others teach I too will teach: “The strong and violent will not die a natural death.”

TaoSong 42

q = 118 D‹

4 &4

∑

j ‰ œ œ œ œ œj œ

The

j œ œ œ œ œj œ

Tao gave birth to One. The One gave birth to Two. The

j œ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ C

j œ

∑

Two gave birth to Three. The Three gave birth to all of cre - a - tion.

D‹

œ œ œ j œ™ & œ

œ œ œ

All things car - ry Yin

& œœœœœ Œ

They blend their life breaths in

j ‰ œj œ œ bœ œ œ œ œ C7

wi - dowed and poor.

B¨

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ j œ œ™ œ & œJ œ œJ œ bœ œ œ J œœœ ble ones take these as their ti

j & œ œ™ bœ œ œ w

tles.

∑

D‹

lo - sing,

∑

j œ œ & Œ Œ™ œ teach:

œ œ œ 3

But the no

œ Œ Œ œ œ

much is gained,

gain - ing, much is lost.

to pro - duce har-

œ ™ bœ œ œ ˙

or - der

Peo - ple des - pise be - ing or - phaned,

mo - ny. 17

yet em - brace Yang.

œ œ œj œ j œ œ œ œj œ œj œ J J

and in

œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ What o - thers teach I too will

3 œ œ œj œ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

∑

"The strong and vio - lent will not die a na - tu - ral death."

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

That which offers no resistance, overcomes the hardest substances. That which offers no resistance can enter where there is no space. Few in the world can comprehend the teaching without words, or understand the value of non-action.

TaoSong 43

TaoSong 43 q. = 52 G

6 &8

∑

Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

∑

That which of - fers no re - sis - tance,

D 3

D(„ˆˆ2)

& Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ ™

Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

o - ver - comes the hard - est sub - stan - ces

& ‰™ œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ œj œ Œ ™

can en - ter where there is no

C 15

& œœœ tea - ching

D(„ˆˆ2)

space.

That which of - fers no re - sis - tance,

œ œœœ œœ œ œœ

Few in the world can com - pre - hend

D(„ˆˆ2)

œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ ™

with - out words,

va - lue of

non - ac

Œ™

œ œ œ œ J

≈ r œ

or un - der - stand

3 6 & œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ 8 œ#œ œ œ 8 œ œ œ Œ ™

the

œ™ œ œ œ

œ ‰ ‰ Œ ≈ œr J

∑

the

∑

tion.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Which is more important, your honor or your life? Which is more valuable, your possessions or your person? Which is more destructive, success or failure? Because of this, great love extracts a great cost and true wealth requires greater loss. Knowing when you have enough avoids dishonor, and knowing when to stop will keep you from danger and bring you a long, happy life.

TaoSong 44

TaoSong 44 q = 154

### 4 & 4

∑

F©‹

∑

F©‹

j ‰œ œ œ œ œ

™™ œ œ œœœ œ ˙

Which is more im - por - tant,

your ho - nor or your

### œ Œ œœ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ & œ œœœœ œ E

life?

F©‹

3 j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ Œ œ œ

Which is more des - truc - tive,

suc - cess or

### ˙ Œ ‰ œj œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ & œ œ œj œ™

F©‹

ex - tracts a great

fail

ure?

F©‹

∑

Be cause of this, great

love

Ó Œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ

∑

cost

### œœœ œœœœ w &

your pos - ses - sions or your per - son?

Which is more va - lua - ble,

### œ œœœœ œ ˙ &

and true wealth re - qui - res grea A

F©‹

∑

- ter loss.

### œ œ œ œ œ œ œ &

F©‹

Œ œ œ œ

œ Œ Ó

Kno - wing when you have e - nough

### œ œ œ œ œ Œ &

### Ó &

n..c

will keep you

### &

∑

from

dan

‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ E

∑

a long, hap - py

∑

F©‹

∑

ger

œ œ œ œ

and

Œ Ó œ œ œœœ œœœ œ A

nor,

Œ œ œ œ Œ ˙

and bring you 45

a - voids dis - ho

F©‹

kno - wing when to stop

œ œ œ œ ‰ œj E

F©‹

life. D

∑

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

The greatest accomplishments seem imperfect, yet their usefulness is not diminished. The greatest fullness seems empty, yet it will be inexhaustible. The greatest straightness seems crooked. The most valued skill seems like clumsiness. The greatest speech seems full of stammers. Movement overcomes the cold, and stillness overcomes the heat. That which is pure and still is the universal ideal.

TaoSong 45

TaoSong 45 q = 124

4 &4

A‹

4 &4

A‹

∑

j j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ™ œ œ œ œ ˙

fect,

4 &4 w

A‹

Œ™

∑

nished.

j ™ œ & œ Ó

œœ œ ˙ J J

- ty,

∑

Œ™

seems emp

A‹

di - mi

œ œ œ œ œ™ œ J

ness

in - ex - haus

∑

not

Œ ™ œ œ 42 œ œ œ œ 44 œ œ œ œ œ ˙

œ Œ

yet it will be

full

4 4

∑

ac - com - plish - ments

œ œ œ œ œ œ

The great - est

œ œ

yet their use - ful - ness

j œ œ œ

Œ ‰ œj 42 œ œ œ œ 44

seem im - per

œ œ

The great - est

2 4

Œ ‰ j ˙ œ

∑

ti - ble.

2 4Ó F

4 4

A‹

∑

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 45, continued

2 39

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

œ œ œ J

D‹

& Œ™

The great - est

straight

The most va - lued

speech seems full

A‹

& Ó

skill

seems like

2 4

Move - ment o - ver - comes

& œ œ œ œ œ ˙ 3

That which is pure and still

Œ ™ œJ œ œ

∑

clum - si - ness.

∑

The great - est

∑

4 4

∑

D‹

∑

stam - mers.

∑

croo - ked.

j œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J J

& œ

A‹

& œ

seems

œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œj ˙

œ œ ˙™

œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ œ œ œj œ ™ œ œ œ œ J J

D‹

& Œ™

‰ œ™

ness

A‹

the cold,

and still - ness o - ver - comes

∑

œœœ œ Ó the heat.

Œ ‰ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ™ œ œ œj œ œj œ™ ‰ F

A‹

is the u - ni - ver - sal

TaoSongs.com

E‹

A‹

i - deal.

U ∑

When the world follows the Tao, horses run free to fertilize the fields. When the world does not follow the Tao, war horses are bred outside the cities. There is no greater transgression than condoning people’s selfish desires, no greater disaster than being discontent, and no greater retribution than for greed. Whoever knows contentment will be at peace forever.

TaoSong 46

q = 108 D‹

4 &4

∑

E‹

∑

D‹

E‹

™ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ J R

∑

When the world

j j ™ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ Œ ™ œJ œ ™ œ ˙ & J D‹

- ses run

free

E‹

3 ™ œ œ œœœœœ &

fol - low the Tao,

™ j & œ œ œ œ œ ˙™ E‹

side

25 FŒ„Š7

& ™™ 32

j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ J

∑

1 . D‹

SOLO

™™

∑

™™

∑

D‹

∑

bred E‹

∑

FŒ„Š7

& œ œ œ œ ver

knows

œ œ œ ˙™ & -

™™

œ œœ œ œœ

œœ œ Œ œ œ

no grea - ter

dis - as - ter

∑

œ œ

than con

Œ ™ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œj œJ œ œ œJ œ ™ J

and no grea - ter re - tri - bu

∑

than be - ing dis - con - tent,

Œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ J

& Ó

out

There is no grea - ter trans - gres - sion C G

FŒ„Š7

œ J

Œ™

don - ing peo - ple's sel - fish de - sires,

hor - ses are

D‹

∑

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ Ó

When the world does not

war

Œ ‰œ œ œ œ œ

∑

the ci - ties. C

∑

˙™ Œ

hor

D‹

the fields.

E‹

œœ

to fer - ti - lize

follows the Tao,

tion

œ œ™ J

than for

∑

greed. G

‰ œj œ œ

con - tent - ment

will

∑

œ œ

˙™

peace

∑

Who - e -

œ œ™ J for

U ∑

ver.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Without opening your door, you can know the whole world. Without looking out your window, you can understand the way of the Tao. The more knowledge you seek, the less you will understand. The Master understands without leaving, sees clearly without looking, accomplishes much without doing anything.

TaoSong 47

TaoSong 47 q = 128 C

4 &4 12

∑ C

∑

D‹7

∑

Œ ‰ j ˙™ œ œ

& Ó

j œ œ ™ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ

‰ j œ ˙ œ

you can know 27

win - dow, 33 C

∑

& 44

∑

∑ C

∑

you can un - der - stand D‹7

∑

the way

∑

‰ j œ œ

Œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ

œ & œ œœ œ

œ™ œJ œ œ

Mas - ter un - der - stands C

with - out

& Œ œ œj œ œj œ œ œ ˙

leav

∑

do - ing

∑

Œ ˙™ a

∑

∑ Œ ‰ œ J

The

œ œ œœœ w

∑

ing,

∑

˙™ œ w

∑

seek, G

D‹7

‰ j œ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ

sees clear - ly with - out look - ing, G

& œ ˙™

∑

œ œ œ ˙

∑

the less you will un - der - stand. 58

∑

the Tao.

The more know - ledge you

& Ó

out your

œ™ œ ˙™

∑

D‹7

œ ™ œJ œJ œ ™

∑

With - out look - ing

œ œ œ œj œ ™

œ œ œ œœ

∑

o - pen - ing your door, G

the whole world.

∑

˙ Œ œ œ œ œ ˙™

∑

& œ ˙™

∑

With - out D‹7

∑

ac - com - plish - es much with - out C

˙™ œ -

œ œ ˙™

∑

Ó ∑

thing.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

One who seeks knowledge learns something new every day. One who seeks the Tao unlearns something new every day. Less and less remains until you arrive at non-action. When you arrive at non-action, nothing will be left undone. Mastery of the world is achieved by letting things take their natural course. You can not master the world by changing the natural way.

TaoSong 48

TaoSong 48 q = 96

b 4 & b bbbb 4

∑

œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ œœœ Œ

One who seeks know - ledge learns some thing new e - very day.

b & b bbbb œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

One who seeks the Tao

un - learns some thing new e - very day.

j j j œ œ œ œ ‰ œ

b & b bbbb œ œ œ œ

un - til you

ar - rive at

b & b bbbb ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ˙ b & b bbbb

non - ac - tion,

b & b bbbb œ œ œ œ œ na - tu - ral

course.

œ Œ

bb j j & b b bb œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

chang - ing the na - tu - ral

way.

∑

Œ ‰™ r œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ by

let - ting things take

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

∑

done.

˙™

You can not mas - ter the world

œ Œ Ó

re - mains

tion

noth - ing will be left

Mas - tery of the world is a - chieved

less

Œ œ œ œ œ œj ‰ œ œ œj œ ™ Ó

œ œ œ œ œœ œ œœ

∑

Less and

œ œœœ œ œ Œ

non - ac

When you ar - rive at

j œ œj œj ‰ œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ œœœ Œ

∑

their

‰ j œ by

∑

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

The Master has no mind of her own. She understands the mind of the people.

Those who are good she treats as good. Those who aren’t good she also treats as good. This is how she attains true goodness. She trusts people who are trustworthy. She also trusts people who aren’t trustworthy. This is how she gains true trust. The Master’s mind is shut off from the world. Only for the sake of the people does she muddle her mind. They look to her in anticipation. Yet she treats them all as her children.

TaoSong 49

TaoSong 49 q = 74

4 &4

∑

4 Œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj 42 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ4 F

The Mas - ter has no mind of her own. She

4 & 4 œj œ™ Ó

4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj ‰ 42 œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ4 F

∑

peo - ple.

Those who are good she treats as good.

4 &4 œ œœ Ó œ G

& Ó

‰ j œ

She

4 &4 œ œ œ Ó œ G

2 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ 4 œ œ œ œ™ œ 4 œ œ ™ Œ Ó F

This is how she at - tains

true

good - ness.

4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj 42 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ4 F

trusts peo - ple who are trust - wor - thy.

∑

trust - wort - hy.

Those who are - n't good she al - so

E‹

∑

treats as good.

un - der - stands the mind of the

She

al - so trusts peo - ple who aren't

2 œœ 4 Œ Ó œ œ Œ 4 œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ4œ

E‹

This is how she gains

true

trust.

Œ ‰ j œ

The

j 2 4 r & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4 œj œ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ

Mas - ter's mind is shut off from the world.

mind.

On - ly for the sake of the F

œ œ œœ Œ

They look to her

in an

as her

chil

ti - ci - pa

2 4 & œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ 4 œœœœœ œ 4 Yet she treats them all

does she mud - dle her

2 4 œ œ 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4 œj œ ™

E‹

peo - ple

∑

tion.

∑

dren.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Those who leave the womb at birth and those who enter their source at death, of these; three out of ten celebrate life, three out of ten celebrate death, and three out of ten simply go from life to death. What is the reason for this? Because they are afraid of dying, therefore they can not live. I have heard that those who celebrate life walk safely among the wild animals. When they go into battle, they remain unharmed. The animals find no place to attack them and the weapons are unable to harm them. Why? Because they can find no place for death in them.

TaoSong 50

q = 76 A‹

4 &4 Ó

A‹

™™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

‰ œ œ

Those who leave the womb at birth A‹

& œœ œ œ œ

A‹

and those G

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

who en - ter their source at death, of these;three out of ten ce - le - brate life, three out of ten ce - le - brate death, A‹

A‹

& ˙

A‹

Œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ

‰ œ œ œ œ™ Œ J

and three out of ten sim - ply go A‹

A‹

from life

œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ What is the re - ason for this?

A‹

& Ó

Be cause they are a - fraid of dy

A‹

™™ Ó

1 . A‹

to death.

A‹

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ J 3

ing, there - fore they can - not

2. A‹

™™ Ó

live.

≈ œ œ œ

I have heard 18 FŒ„Š7

& œ œ œ œ œ

‰

œ œ œ

that those who ce - le - brate life 20 FŒ„Š7

j œ walk

FŒ„Š7

‰™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

safe - ly

a - mong the wild a - ni - mals.

FŒ„Š7

r œ When

≈ œ œ & œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ they go in - to bat - tle, they re - main un - harmed. The

22 FŒ„Š7

œ ≈ œ œ

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 24

wea - pons are un - a - ble to harm them. Why? A‹ G

∑

™™ Ó

a - ni - mals find no place to at tack them

FŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Be - cause they can find no place for death in A‹ G A‹

and the

™™

them.

∑

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

The Tao gives birth to all of creation. The virtue of Tao in nature nurtures them, and their families give them their form. Their environment then shapes them into completion. That is why every creature honors the Tao and its virtue. No one tells them to honor the Tao and its virtue, it happens all by itself. So the Tao gives them birth, and its virtue cultivates them, cares for them, nurtures them, gives them a place of refuge and peace, helps them to grow and shelters them. It gives them life without wanting to posses them, and cares for them expecting nothing in return. It is their master, but it does not seek to dominate them. This is called the dark and mysterious virtue.

TaoSong 51

TaoSong 51 q = 122

#4 & 4 Ó Œ ‰ œj œ œ E‹

œ ‰ œj œ œ 42 œ œ 44 ˙ Ó

The Tao gives birth to all of D(„ˆˆ2)

#2 3 4 j & 4 œ œ œ 4 œ œ™ Ó C

ture nur - tures C

& œ œ œ ‰ œj œ vi - ron - ment D(„ˆˆ2)

j œ

then shapes them in G

The vir -tue of Tao in na D(„ˆˆ2)

3 Œ ‰ œ œ œj ™ œ œ œ œ ˙

ho - nors the Tao and its vir - tue. C

That is why e - very crea - ture

j œ œ ‰œ œ œœÓ

∑

No one

Their en

3 ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™

to com - ple - tion. µ E‹

Œ™ œ œ

and their fa - milies give them their form. C

œ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Ó

3 Ó Œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ 42 œ J J

D(„ˆˆ2)

cre - a - tion.

them,

D(„ˆˆ2)

tells them

œ œ œ œ œ œ

ho - nor the Tao and its

# j j j j & œ œ œ Œ ™ œj œ œ œ œj œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

vir - tue, G

happens all D

cul - ti - vates them, D

by it

self. C

So the Tao

j j # & œ œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ œ œ œJ œ ‰ œJ œ œ Ó #

cares

œ œ œœ

and

#2 4 & 4 œ œ œ 4 œ œ™ œ Ó

#4 & 4˙

turn. D

# & œ Œ Ó

3 œ œ œ œ œ œ 42 3

Œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 42 œ œ œ œ 44 œ

and cares for them ex - pec - ting D C

It is their mas - ter, but it does not D 3

seek

to do - mi - nate them.

j œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó

This is called

noth - ing in re-

Œ ™ œj œ œ œ œ ™ œ

‰ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ™ Ó 3

of re - fuge and

It gives them life with - out C

pos - ses them,

∑

gives them a place G

shel - ters them.

wan - ting to D(„ˆˆ2)

œœœ Œ œ œ ˙

peace, helps them to grow C D(„ˆˆ2)

œ œ œ œ ‰ œJ œ œ œ

nur-tures them,

for them, C

& œ˙

gives them birth, and its vir - tue G

∑

the dark and my - ste - ri - ous vir - tue.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

The world had a beginning which we call the Great Mother. Once we have found the Mother, we begin to know what Her children should be. When we know we are the Mother’s child, we begin to guard the qualities of the Mother in us. She will protect us from all danger even if we lose our life. Keep your mouth closed and embrace a simple life, and you will live care-free until the end of your days. If you try to talk your way into a better life there will be no end to your trouble. To understand the small is called clarity. Knowing how to yield is called strength. To use your inner light for understanding regardless of the danger is called depending on the Constant.

TaoSong 52

TaoSong 52 q = 78 D‹

4 &4

E‹

∑

D‹

E‹

‰™ r ™ œ œ ™ ≈ Œ ‰™ r œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œœ œ œ

The world had a be - gin - ning which we call

D‹

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

E‹

FŒ„Š7

& œ™ œ œ 9

what Her chil - dren

œ œ œ

know we are the Mo - ther's child, we be - gin to guard FŒ„Š7 C FŒ„Š7

& œ œ œ œ œ œœœ œœ œ will pro - tect us from all dan - ger

D‹

When we

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

™ r œ œ œ œ ‰ œ

the qua - li - ties of the Mo - ther in us. C C/B D‹ E‹ Solo

œœœœ œ œ œ

∑

™™

She

∑

™™

e - ven if we lose our life.

E‹

D‹

‰™ r œ Œ ≈ j≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œr œ œ œ

& œ œ œ 16

œ œ

should be.

FŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œ œ œ

Once we have

œ œ œ œ œ™ ‰ œ œ

‰

found the Mo - ther, we be - gin to know

the Great Mo - ther.

Keep your mouth closed and em brace a E‹ D‹

sim-ple life,

and you will live care free un-til the end of your days. E‹ D‹

≈ & Œ Œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

If you try to talk your way FŒ„Š7 C

E‹

Œ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ

ble. 24 FŒ„Š7

& Œ™

To C

life C

cla - ri - ty. C

j Œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ C

To use your in - ner light for un - der stan ding FŒ„Š7 C

2 4 & ‰ ™ œr œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ 4 Œ œ œ œ 4 œ œ ™ Œ Ó is called de - pen - ding

there will be no end FŒ„Š7

to your trou C

Œ œ œ œ œœ Œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œœœœœ

un - der - stand the small is called FŒ„Š7

strength. 27 FŒ„Š7

in - to a bet - ter FŒ„Š7

on the Con -

∑

Kno - wing how to yield is called FŒ„Š7 C

‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œœœœœœ

re - gard - less of the dan D‹ E‹ D‹ 1 . E‹ Solo

™™ ∑

∑

ger 2. E‹

U ∑ ™™ ∑

stant.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

If I understood only one thing, I would want to use it to follow the Tao. My only fear would be one of pride. The Tao goes in the level places, but people prefer to take the short cuts. If too much time is spent cleaning the house the land will become neglected and full of weeds, and the granaries will soon become empty because there is no one out working the fields. To wear fancy clothes and ornaments, to have your fill of food and drink and to waste all of your money buying possessions is called the crime of excess. Oh, how these things go against the way of the Tao!

TaoSong 53

TaoSong 53 q = 130 A‹

4 &4 Ó

Solo

E‹

FŒ„Š7

A‹

E‹

™™ Ó

FŒ„Š7

Ó Œ ‰ j œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Ó Ó

FŒ„Š7

I un - der - stood on - ly one

FŒ„Š7 C

j œ œ œœ & œ œ‰œJ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ Œ Œ ™ œj œ œ œ œ

thing, I

would want

to use it to fol - low the Tao.

My on - ly fear would be one of pride.

j j & œj œ œj œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ™ œj œJ œ™ œ ™ œ ˙ Ó G

FŒ„Š7

Tao goes in the le - vel pla - ces,

A‹

& ™™ Ó

Solo

E‹

FŒ„Š7

but peo - ple

™™ Ó

œœ Œ Ó

to take the short

The

Œ œœœ œ œ

cuts.

FŒ„Š7

Ó Œ ‰ j œJ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œJ œ œ œ Œ J œ

FŒ„Š7

pre - fer

˙ Œ™ j œ

FŒ„Š7

too much time is spent

clean - ing the house

FŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™œ Œ ‰ j ‰ & ‰œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ j œ œ œœ œ œ œ 3 œ

the land will become ne- glec - ted FŒ„Š7 C

and full of weeds, and the gra - na - ries will soon become emp - ty A‹ E‹ FŒ„Š7 C C G C Solo

Œ ™™ Ó

& œ œ œœœœ œ œ œ œ ˙

™™ Ó

be-

∑

cause there is no one out working the fields. G

& ‰ œJ œ œ œ œ

FŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œJ œ™ and or - na - ments,

To wear fan - cy clothes G

FŒ„Š7

‰ j Œ Œ œœ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ to have your fill of food and drink

FŒ„Š7

and to

& œ œ œ œ œJ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œj œ™ Ó ˙ œJ œ œJ waste all of your mo - ney buy - ing pos - ses - sions

44 FŒ„Š7

& œ ŒÓ

FŒ„Š7

œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ

go a - gainst the way of the Tao!

is called the crime of ex - cess. A‹

˙™

E‹

Œ ™™ Ó Ó Solo

Oh, how these things G

Ó Ó ™™ Ó Ó

∑

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

That which is well built will never be torn down. That which is well latched can not slip away. Those who do things well will be honored from generation to generation. If this idea is cultivated in the individual, then his virtue will become genuine. If this idea is cultivated in your family, then virtue in your family will be great. If this idea is cultivated in your community, then virtue will go a long way. If this idea is cultivated in your country, then virtue will be in many places. If this idea is cultivated in the world, then virtue will be with everyone. Then observe the person for what the person does, and observe the family for what it does, and observe the community for what it does, and observe the country for what it does, and observe the world for what it does. How do I know this saying is true? I observe these things and see.

TaoSong 54

q = 124 A‹

4 &4 ∑

FŒ„Š7

∑

C/B

∑

A‹

‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ

œ œ

That which is well built will ne - ver be torn down. That which

FŒ„Š7

& œ œ

œ œ œ œ

is well latched can not slip

j & œ œ™ Œ™

‰ œj œ œ

œ œ œ œ

Those who do things well

a - way.

will be

ho -

‰ j j j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

- nored

from ge - ne - ra - tion to ge - ne - ra

A‹

tion.

& œœœœœ œœœ

then his

If this i

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

œ œ

in the in - di - vi - du - al,

A‹

C/B

vir - tue will be - come

dea

is cul - ti - va - ted

A‹

j œ œ™

œ œ œ œ

ge - nu - ine.

A‹

this

& œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ dea

is cul - ti - va - ted

A‹

& œj œ™ great.

in your fa - mi - ly,

œ œ œ œ œ If

this

dea

‰

then

vir - tue in your fa - mily will be

A‹

‰ œj

j œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ is cul - ti - va - ted

in your com - mu - ni - ty,

then

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 54, continued 2 23

A‹

& œ œ œ œœ œœœ œ œ vir - tue will

a long

A‹

way.

‰

œ œ œ œ œ If

this

A‹

j œ œ œ œ œ œ™ is cul - ti - va - ted

dea

& œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ ™ in your coun - try,

then vir - tue will be in ma - ny pla - ces.

A‹

If this i - dea

A‹

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ™ in

the world,

A‹

then vir - tue will be with

is cul - ti - va - ted

∑

e - very - one.

FŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œœœ œ & ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ Then observe the person for what the person does, and ob - serve the fa - mi - ly

C/B

A‹

œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ œ œœ

and observe the com - mu - ni - ty for what it does,

A‹

& ˙ true?

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œ œ œ and observe the coun - try for what it does,

Œ Œ ‰ j œœ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ

j œ™ œ ˙ and

for what it does,

observe the world for what it does.

‰ j œ œ

A‹

œ œ œ Œ œ

I ob - serve

these

How do I know this sa - ying is

A‹

‰ j j œ œ™ œ œ œ œ ˙™

things

TaoSongs.com

and

see.

∑

One who is filled with the Tao is like a newborn child. The infant is protected from the stinging insects, wild beasts, and birds of prey. Its bones are soft, its muscles are weak, but its grip is firm and strong. It doesn’t know about the union of male and female, yet his penis can stand erect, because of the power of life within him. It can cry all day and never become hoarse. This is perfect harmony. To understand harmony is to understand the Constant. To know the Constant is to be called ‘enlightened’. To unnaturally try to extend life is not appropriate. To try and alter the life-breath is unnatural. The master understands that when something reaches its prime it will soon begin to decline. Changing the natural is against the way of the Tao. Those who do it will come to an early end.

TaoSong 55

TaoSong 55 q = 90

#4 & 4

E‹

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œj ≈ r œ œ œ œ G

∑

One who is filled with the Tao

E‹

in - fant is pro - tec - ted from

# & Ó

E‹

Its bones are soft,

# ‰ j‰ j œ œ œ œ œ™ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ & œœ œ j œ œ œ Œ J œ

and

# & Ó

E‹

strong.

Œ ‰

It does - n't know

a - bout

≈ œ œœ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ

pe - nis

& ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œœœœ œ of life with - in

him.

can stand

∑

e - rect,

2 4 ∑

E‹

the u - nion

yet his

its mus - cles are weak,

‰ j œ œ ‰ œj ‰ œj œ

E‹

but its grip

The

the sting - ing in - sects, wild beasts, and birds of prey.

E‹

child.

‰ œj œ œj œ ™ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ Œ

like a new - born

Œ ‰ ™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œJ œ œ œ œ œJ œ ™ œ

& œ œ œ œ œœœ œ œ Ó

firm

∑

of male and fe - male,

œ œ œœœ œ œ Œ Ó

be - cause of

the po - wer

œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ Œ œ

E‹

It can cry all day

and ne - ver be - come hoarse.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 55, continued

2 28

E‹

‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ ‰ ‰ Œ This is per - fect har

mo - ny.

E‹

un - der - stand har - mo - ny

is to

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œR un - der - stand the Con

stant.

# œ & œ œœ œ œœœ œ

E‹

un - na - tu - rally try to ex - tend life

# j & ‰ œ œ œ œœœ œ

know the Con - stant is

j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ ™ œ

E‹

is not ap - pro - pri - ate.

try and al - ter the life - breath

2 4 4 Œ ‰™ œr 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ µ

is un - na - tu - ral.

to be called 'en - ligh - tened'.

E‹

The

mas - ter un - der - stands that when some

j r & œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ

- thing rea - ches its

& œ œ œ œ gainst the way of

E‹

prime

œ œ™ Œ

the Tao.

œ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™ Ó ly

it will soon be - gin

& ˙

to de - cline.

E‹

Chang - ing the na - tu - ral is

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ w

Those who do it

∑

end.

TaoSongs.com

will

∑

come to

∑

an ear

∑

Those who know do not talk. Those who talk do not know.

Stop talking, meditate in silence, blunt your sharpness, release your worries, harmonize your inner light, and become one with the dust. Doing this is the called the dark and mysterious identity. Those who have achieved the mysterious identity can not be approached, and they can not be alienated. They can not be benefited nor harmed. They can not be made noble nor to suffer disgrace. This makes them the most noble of all under the heavens.

TaoSong 56

TaoSong 56 q. = 48

#6 & 8 Œ™ Œ™ E‹

E‹

Stop talk - ing,

do not talk. Those who talk

# œ œ œ Œ™ & œ œ œœœ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ E‹

œ œ œ œ‰ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œœœ œ ‰ œ œ œ™ J œ œ œ™

Œ™ Œ™

Those who know 7

E‹

j 6 Œ™ j‰ ‰ 3 ‰ œ œœ 8 œ œ œ 8 œ™

E‹

me -di - tate in si - lence

do not know.

blunt your sharp - ness,

re - lease your wor - ries,

œ œ œ œ ™ œ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ‰

E‹

∑

har - mo - nize your

E‹

in - ner light,

and be - come

one with the dust.

# œ œ œœ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 38 & œœ‰ œ œ œœœ œ œ œœ E‹

Do - ing this is called the dark

∑

ste - ri - ous i - den - ti - ty 26

E‹

and my - ste -ri ous i - den - ti - ty.

#3 6 & 8 œ œ œ œ œ 8 œ œ‰ ‰ Œ™

E‹

They can not be

# Œ™ &

E‹

‰™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ the most no - ble of all

E‹

œ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œj 38 J

E‹

They can not be

suf - fer dis - grace.

E‹

œ J

un - der the

made

œ™

This makes them

3‰ 6 8 œ œ œ 8 œ œ œ Œ™ D

œ ‰ ≈ œr œ œ œ ™ œ œ ‰ ‰ J

œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ™ nor to

no - ble

the my

approached, and they can not be

be - ne - fi - ted nor harmed.

#3 j r 6 j & 8œ ‰ ≈ œ 8œ ‰ ‰ Œ

œ ™ œ œJ Œ ≈ œR

œœ & œ œ œ j‰ ‰ œ œ œ œœ œœ œœ œ œ a - li - e - na - ted.

Those who have a - chieved

can not be

∑

hea - vens.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Govern your country with integrity, Weapons of war can be used with great cunning, but loyalty is only won by not-doing. How do I know the way things are? By these: The more prohibitions you make, the poorer people will be. The more weapons you possess, the greater the chaos in your country. The more knowledge that is acquired, the stranger the world will become. The more laws that you make, the greater the number of criminals. Therefore the Master says: I do nothing, and people become good by themselves. I seek peace, and people take care of their own problems. I do not meddle in their personal lives, and the people become prosperous. I let go of all my desires, and the people return to the Uncarved Block.

TaoSong 57

TaoSong 57 q = 120 C

4 &4

∑

A‹

∑

FŒ„Š7

∑

™™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

∑

Go - vern your coun - try with in - te -

j j & œœ œœ Œ

& œ

A‹

œ œ œ œœœ œœ

gri- ty,

FŒ„Š7

Wea - pons of war can be used

A‹

œ œ œ by

not - do

œ œ

‰ j œœœœœœœ œ œœ œ œ œ with great cun - ning,

but

lo - yal - ty is on - ly won

FŒ„Š7

‰

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

ing.

How

œ œ œ

do I know the way things are? By these:

j ‰ ™ r œ œ™ & ‰ j œ œ œœœ j j œ œ œ œ j ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

The more pro - hi - bi - tions

A‹

you make,

FŒ„Š7

the poor - er

peo - ple will

j j & œ œ ™ œ Œ ™ j œ œ œ œj œ œj œj œ œj œ Œ œ

pos - sess,

A‹

ac - qui - red,

∑

‰ j œ œ

the grea - ter the cha - os in your coun - try.

A‹

j & œj œ j œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

FŒ„Š7

be. The more wea - pons you

FŒ„Š7

œ œœ

The more know - ledge that is

‰ j ‰ j œj ™ Œ ™ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

the stranger the world will be - come.

The more laws

that you make,

the

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 57, continued

j & œ œ

j œ œ œ œ

grea - ter

the num - ber of

E‹

& œ œ œ œ œ I

noth

E‹

& œ

A‹

& œJ œ

& ‰

œ œ™ J

pe - rous.

& w

∑

™™

A‹

∑

and the

all

œ œ œ œ œ œ

let go

FŒ„Š7

to the Un - carved

de - sires

œ ˙™

Block.

TaoSongs.com

of their

FŒ„Š7

∑

j œ œ

œ œ

œ™ œ œ œ œ

care

own

∑

™™

A‹

œ œ œ œ

them - selves.

peo - ple take

so - nal lives,

œ œ™ J

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ ˙

do not med - dle in their per

A‹

E‹

‰ œj and

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

& œ œ™ œ

peo - ple be - come good by

blems.

There - fore the Mas - ter says:

peace,

44 FŒ„Š7

A‹

and

œ œ œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ œj œ œ J

A‹

seek

FŒ„Š7

E‹

ing,

cri - mi - nals.

œ œ™ J

j œ œ œ pro

œ œ œ œ

A‹

peo - ple

‰

œ œ

j œ œ

be - come pros -

œ œ œ œ

and the peo - ple

∑

re - turn

∑

If a government is unobtrusive, the people become whole. If a government is repressive, the people become treacherous. Good fortune has its roots in disaster, and disaster lurks with good fortune. Who knows why these things happen, or when this cycle will end? Good things seem to change into bad, and bad things often turn out for good. These things have always been hard to comprehend. Thus the Master makes things change without interfering. She is probing yet causes no harm. Straightforward, yet does not impose her will. Radiant, and easy on the eye.

TaoSong 58

TaoSong 58 q = 80

#4 & 4

E‹

A‹

∑

E‹

∑

E‹

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œr œœ

Œ™

If a 6

A‹

& œ œ œ œ ≈œ œ Œ ‰ peo - ple be - come whole. E‹

go - vern - ment is un - ob- tru - sive,

r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰™ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ

E‹

œœ

the

If a go - vern - ment is re - pres - sive, the peo - ple be - come trea - che - rous. Good A‹ E‹

# œ œ œ œ ‰™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ & J œ J

for - tune

has

& œ Œ

tune.

# œ &

D‹

its roots in di - sas - ter, D‹

œ œ

Who knows why

E‹

& œ

#4 & 4œ Œ A‹

A‹

j œ

and bad things of - ten turn

2 4 œ œ œ nœ ™ ≈ œj™ 4 œ ™ nœ 4 œ œ

been

hard

to com - pre -

A‹

œ œœœœ œ Œ

‰ œœ

Thus the Mas - ter makes things change with - out in- ter- fe - ring. B7

Œ œ ™ œ œJ œ œ œ Œ J

yet causes no harm.

Ra - di - ant,

out for good.

E‹

Straight - for - ward, yet

j œ 3 Œ Œ ‰ & #œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ

A‹

D‹

‰ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œœ

E‹

A‹

E‹

# œ œ Œ ≈œ œœœ œ ˙ & pro - bing

or when this cy - cle will end?

These things have al - ways

with good for -

™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ‰ œ œ

E‹

in - to bad,

‰

hend.

E‹

these things hap - pen,

D‹

dis - as - ter lurks

œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ ‰ œ œ œ Œ J œœœ œ œ

œ œœœœœœœœœ

Good things seem to change

and

n˙ ™ on

She is

rit. A‹

œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ

does not im - pose her will. E

œ œ œ œ œ#œ œ Ó the eye.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

There is nothing better than moderation for teaching people or serving Heaven. Those who use moderation are already on the path to the Tao. Those who follow the Tao early will have an abundance of virtue. When there is an abundance of virtue, there is nothing that can not be done. Where there is limitless ability, then the kingdom is within your grasp. When you know the Mother of the kingdom, then you will be long enduring. This is spoken of as the deep root and the firm trunk, the Way to a long life and great spiritual vision.

TaoSong 59

TaoSong 59 q. = 48

#6 & 8

∑

‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ ™ ≈ œr Œ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ C

∑

There is

noth - ing

bet - ter

than mo - de - ra - tion

for

# j & œ œ ™ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œJ ‰ œ œ

tea - ching peo - ple

serving Hea - ven.

Those who use mo - de - ra

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ Œ™ rea - dy on the path

∑

tion

are al-

‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ ≈ œr

∑

the Tao.

Those who fol - low

the

# r œ œ œ œ œ ‰‰ j & œ œJ œJ ‰ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™œ œ œJ ‰ œ œ

will have an a - bun - dance of vir - tue.

Tao ear - ly

& œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ Œ ™ noth - ing that can not be

∑

li - ty

# & œœœ œ œœœ œ

∑

dom,

When you know the Mo - ther of the king G

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ™‰ Œ™

‰ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ™

Way

a long

life and great spi - ri - tual

∑

long en - du - ring.

Œ™

as the deep root D

a - bi

œ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ

œ œ ™ œ œ™ ‰ ‰ ‰ ™ œr

and the firm

j & œ ™ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ™ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ Œ ™

li - mit - less C

then you will be

This is spo - ken of

œ œ œ œ œ œ™œ œ œ

∑

œ™ Œ™

Œ™ ‰ œ

∑

then theking - dom is with - ing your grasp.

When there is an a - bun - dance of vir - tue, there is

Where there is

done.

# œ œ™ ‰ ‰ ‰ & œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ

∑

trunk,

∑

the

∑

vi - sion.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Governing a large country is like frying small fish. Too much poking spoils the meat. When the Tao is used to govern the world then evil will lose its power to harm the people. Not that evil will no longer exist, but only because it has lost its power. Just as evil can lose its ability to harm, the Master shuns the use of violence. If you give evil nothing to oppose, then virtue will return by itself.

TaoSong 60

TaoSong 60 q = 130 A‹ A‹/G

4 &4 Ó

A‹

E‹

A‹

j œ œ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J J

A‹/G

A‹

™™ œ œ œ œ œ œ

E‹

Go - ver - ning a large coun - try

œ œ œ œ œ J & J

FŒ„Š7

D‹9

A‹

Too much po - king spoils 12

A‹

& ˙

e - vil will lose

D‹9

A‹

Not that

A‹

- wer.

Just as

25 FŒ„Š7

e - vil will no lon - ger ex

& œ œœ œ

˙™

œ œ™ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J ist,

but on

j j & œ œ œ Ó G

& Ó

A‹

œœœœ

A‹

FŒ„Š7

A‹/G

œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙™ -

j œ ‰œ the

o - lence.

If you give

Œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œj œ œ œ j œ ™ œ

A‹

Œ ™ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ J J

A‹

e - vil

FŒ„Š7

to op - pose,

ly 'cause it has lost its po

to harm,

A‹

- ing 35

‰ œj œ

of vi G

the peo

A‹/G

its a - bi - li - ty

Mas - ter shuns the use 30

to harm

A‹

Œ œ œ œ œ œ

wer

A‹/G

e - vil can lose

FŒ„Š7

Œ œ œœœ œ œ œ

its po

FŒ„Š7

A‹/G

Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œ J

œ œœ œœœ œ & œJ œ™ Œ œ œ œœœ œ Œ

A‹

When the Tao is used to go - vern the

& œJ œ œJ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ - ple.

E‹

the meat.

then

∑

is like fry - ing small fish.

A‹

Œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

world 16

A‹/G

œ Œ ‰ œj œ Ó

noth

then vir - tue will re - turn

E‹

A‹

A‹/G

A‹

E‹

A‹

∑

self.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

A large country should take the low place like a great watershed, which from its low position assumes the female role. The female overcomes the male by the power of her position. Her tranquility gives rise to her humility. If a large country takes the low position, it will be able to influence smaller countries. If smaller countries take the lower position, then they can allow themselves to be influenced. So both seek to take the lower position in order to influence the other, or be influenced. Large countries should desire to protect and help the people, and small countries should desire to serve others. Both large and small countries benefit greatly from humility.

TaoSong 61

TaoSong 61 q = 82 A‹

4 &4 Ó

FŒ„Š7

C C/B

A‹

Œ Œ ™™ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ

FŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œ œ™ ‰ œ œ œ

A large coun - try should take the low place FŒ„Š7 C C/B A‹

C/B

Œ œ œ œ™

like a great wa - ter - shed, G

j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ &

A‹

which from its low po - si - tion assumes the fe - male role. FŒ„Š7 C C/B A‹ G F

& œ œ œ œ

j œ™ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œœ œ œ w œ œœ ™

po - wer of her po - si - tion. Her tran - qui - li - ty gives rise A‹ G FŒ„Š7 C C/B A‹

& ™™ Ó

A‹

FŒ„Š7

A‹

to her hu - mi - li - ty. FŒ„Š7 C C/B

™™ Ó

in or - der to in - flu - ence the o - ther, or be in - flu - enced. G FŒ„Š7 C

Large coun - tries should de sire 32 FŒ„Š7 C C/B

& œ

sire A‹

& Ó

C/B

œ œ ‰ ™œR œ œ œœ ™ œ ‰ J œ™ œ œ ‰ ™ œR œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ™œ œ

then they can al - low them - selves to be in - flu - enced. So both seek A‹ G FŒ„Š7 C C/B A‹

A‹

C C/B

If smal - ler coun - tries take the lo - wer po - si - tion, A‹ G FŒ„Š7 C

Œ œ œ œ™ œ œ ™ to serve o - thers. G FŒ„Š7

to pro - tect and help the peo - ple, A‹ G

‰ œJ œ œ œ œ œ

Both large and small

Ó Œ ‰ j œ œœ œ œœ œ

∑

to take the lo - wer po - si - tion, G FŒ„Š7 C C/B

Œ Œ

A‹

and small coun - tries should de FŒ„Š7 C C/B

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

coun - tries be - ne - fit

∑

great - ly

∑

from hu- mi - li - ty.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

™™

j ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ

C/B

œ & ‰ J œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ

it will be FŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ Œ Œ Œ Œ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ

j œ œ œ™ œ & ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ

œ œ œ œ œ œœ˙ ™

If a large coun - try takes the low po - si - tion, C C/B A‹ G

a - ble to in - flu - ence smal - ler coun - tries. G FŒ„Š7

j & ‰ œ œ œ œœ œ œ

Ó Œ ≈

Œ Œ ™™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ ‰ œJ œ œ œ Œ

j & ‰ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ™

The fe - male o - ver - comes the male by the

The Tao is the tabernacle of creation, it is a treasure for those who are good, and a place of refuge for those who are not. How can those who are not good be abandoned? Words that are beautiful are worth much, but good behavior can only be learned by example. When a new leader takes office, don’t give him gifts and offerings. These things are not as valuable as teaching him about the Tao. Why was the Tao esteemed by the ancient Masters? Is it not said: “With it we find without looking. With it we find forgiveness for our transgressions.” That is why the world can not understand it.

TaoSong 62

TaoSong 62 q = 100

## 4 & 4

2 4

B‹

∑

4 4

∑

Œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 42 œ œ œ 44 œ D

∑

The

## 4 œ & 4 J œ™ Ó

## Ó &

it is a

for those

## &

# &#

who are good,

Œ ‰

a - ban - doned?

œ œ œœ œ

but good be - ha - vior

∑

Œ ‰

‰ j œ œœ

who are not.

œœ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ

who are not good

for those

and a place of re - fuge

## &

trea - sure

of cre - a -

4 Œ Ó 4œ œ œœ

4 Œ Ó Œ Œ œ œ 42 œ œ 4 œ œ œœ œ œ œ œœ œ

œœœ œ œ ˙

- tion,

Tao is the ta - ber - na - cle

œ œ 42 œ

How can those

œ œ œ Words that are

j œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œ

beau - ti - ful

are

E‹

Œ Œ ‰™ r ‰ j Œ Ó œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ can on - ly

When a new lea - der

∑

be learned by ex - am - ple.

œ œ œ œœœ

worth much,

j j ‰ œ œ œ œœ™ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œj œ™ œ œ takes of -

fice,

don't give him gifts and of - fe - rings.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 62, continued

# &#

# &# Ó

œ œ

These things

‰

j œ œj œj œ™ œ œ œ œ

are not

œœ œ œ œ ˙

‰ œ œj œj œ ™

va - lu - able

∑

E‹

tea - ching him

2 4 4 ∑ 4 B‹

∑

™™

∑

a - bout the Tao.

## 2.Ó &

‰ j œ œ œ

Why was the

# &# Ó

œœ œœ œ not

said:

œ œ œœ

That is why the world

E‹

∑

cient

Mas

"With it

we find

ters?

with - out

look - ing.

for - give - ness

for

our

trans

gres - sions."

2 4 œ Œ Œ œœ 4œœ œ œ 4œ Œ Ó

œ œ œ œœ œ

j j 4 ‰ œ œ œ œ 42 œ j œ J J œ œ 4œ œ

# & # ™™

es - teemed by the an

With it we find

j 4 ‰ œ œ œ œ 42 œ 4œ Œ œ œ œ œœ

Is it

# &# Ó

Tao

# &# Ó

2 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4 œJ œ œj 4 œj œ ™

can not

∑

TaoSongs.com

un - der - stand

∑

it.

∑

™™

∑

™™

Act by not acting; do by not doing. Enjoy the plain and simple. Find that greatness in the small. Take care of difficult problems while they are still easy; Do easy things before they become too hard. Difficult problems are best solved while they are easy. Great projects are best started while they are small. The Master never takes on more than she can handle, which means that she leaves nothing undone. When an affirmation is given too lightly, keep your eyes open for trouble ahead. When something seems too easy, difficulty is hiding in the details. The master expects great difficulty, so the task is always easier than planned.

TaoSong 63

TaoSong 63 q = 108 A5 A¨5 G5 µ

A5 A¨5 G5 µ

4 &4 Œ Œ Œ Œ

A5 A¨5 G5 µ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

G5 G©5 A5 µ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

A5 A¨5

œ bœ œ œnœ œ œ Act by not ac -

ting;

j j & ‰ œ bœ œ œnœ œ#œ œ œ™ œ œœ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

A¨5

do by not do

G©5

µ A5

A¨5

ing. En - joy the plain and sim - ple.

Take care of dif - fi - cult pro - blems

G©5

A5 µ

G©5

A¨5

œ œ

G©5

ea - sy;

A5 A¨5 G5 µ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

∑

‰ nœj #œ œ œ™ œ œ

while they are still

A5 A¨5 G5 µ

& nœ œ#œ œ œ œ œ Œ

Find that great - ness in the small.

‰ nœj #œ œ œ

& œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

Do ea - sy things be - fore

A5 A¨5 G5 µ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

G5 G©5 A5 µ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

they be - come too hard.

A¨5

& œœœ œ œ œ œ œ

‰ œj #œ œ œ œ Œ

Dif - fi - cult pro - blems are best solved

j & ‰ œ #œ œ nœ œ

G©5

while they are small.

G©5

while they are ea - sy.

‰ ™ r œ œ bœ œ nœj œ œ

A¨5

The Mas - ter ne - ver takes on

A¨5

œ bœ œ nœ œ œ œ Great pro - jects are best star - ted

j œ more

A¨5

œ #œ œ œ nœ œ nœ Œ than she can han - dle,

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 63, continued

j & ‰#œ

A¨5

G5 µ G5

œ œ nœ Œ

A5 µ

œ #œ œ œ Œ

G©5

A5 µ

When an af - fir - ma - tion

j & ‰ nœ #œ œ œ œ œ Œ G5

A5 A¨5 G5 µ A5 A¨5 G5 µ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

j œ ™ œ#œ ™ œ œ œ nœ ‰ œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ

G5 G©5 A5 µ

& Œ Œ Œ Œ

A5 A¨5 G5 µ

G©5

Œ Œ Œ Œ

leaves noth - ing un - done.

which means that she

G©5

A5 µ

G©5

A5 A¨5 G5 µ

gi - ven too light - ly,

A5 A¨5 G5 µ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

‰ nœj #œ œ œ™ œ œ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

G©5

keep your eyes o - pen

A5 A¨5 G5 µ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

G5 G©5 A5 µ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

for trou - ble a - head.

j ‰ œ bœ &

A¨5

G5 µ

œ Œ

When some - thing seems

G©5

& nœ œ œ™ œ œ mas - ter ex - pects

A¨5

& œ œ#œ œ œ

A5 A¨5

Œ nœ œ œ œ Œ too ea - sy,

A¨5

G©5

dif - fi - cul - ty is hi - ding

great dif - fi - cul - ty,

A5 µ A5 A¨5 G5 µ

œÓ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

œ œ œ bœ œ œ œ Œ

‰ œj #œ œ œ œ™ œ Œ

A5 A¨5 G5 µ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

ea - si - er than planned.

TaoSongs.com

G©5

A5 µ

œ œ#œ œ nœ œ ‰ ™ œr

in the de - tails.

G©5

The

Œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ œ so the task

A5 A¨5 G5 µ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

al - ways

G5 G©5 A5 µ

Œ Œ Œ Œ

Things are easier to control while things are quiet. Things are easier to plan far in advance. Things break easier while they are still brittle. Things are easier hid while they are still small. Prevent problems before they arise. Take action before things get out of hand. The tallest tree begins as a tiny sprout. The tallest building starts with one shovel of dirt. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single footstep. If you rush into action, you will fail. If you hold on too tight, you will lose your grip. Therefore the Master lets things take their course and thus never fails. She doesn’t hold on to things and never loses them. By pursing your goals too relentlessly, you let them slip away. If you are as concerned about the outcome as you are about the beginning, then it is hard to do things wrong. The master seeks no possessions. She learns by unlearning, thus she is able to understand all things. This gives her the ability to help all of creation.

TaoSong 64

TaoSong 64 q = 90 D‹

4 &4 Ó

A‹ A‹7

D‹

j ‰ œ œ œ œœœ œœ œ

D‹

Œ Œ ™™ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ ˙ Ó œ Things are ea - si - er to con - trol

Things are ea - si - er to plan

D‹

FŒ„Š7

far C

œ œœœ œ œ œ œ œ™ ˙ œœœ

& œœ ˙

D‹

œ œ œœœœ œ œ œ œ œœ

œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ™ ≈ œ ˙ œ

small

Pre - vent pro - blems be - fore they

a - rise.

hand.

The

with one sho - vel of dirt.

FŒ„Š7

starts with a sin - gle foot C

step.

as a ti

sprout.

The

A jour - ney of a thou - sand miles F

Œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ If

you rush in - to ac - tion, you will fail.

œœ Œ ‰ & œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œŒ If

‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰™ r œ

2 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4 œ œ™ Œ Ó &4 4

things

‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ r œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ 42 œ

tal - lest buil - ding starts 24

œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œr

be - gins

& œ œ œ œœ œœ Œ C

tall - est tree

Take ac - tion be - fore

œ œ œœ œœœ Œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ ‰ ™ œr get out of

∑

Things are ea - si - er hid while they are still

et.

in ad - vance.

Things break ea - si - er while they are still brit - tle. 14

while things are qui

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ 42 ‰ œJ œ œ œ 44 œ œ™ œ Ó

& ˙ 11

D‹

you hold on too tight,

you will lose your grip.

D‹

œ œ™œ œ œ œ œ œœ

There - fore the Mas - ter lets things

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

The ancient Masters who understood the way of the Tao, did not educate people, but made them forget. Smart people are difficult to guide, because they think they are too clever. To use cleverness to rule a country, is to lead the country to ruin. To avoid cleverness in ruling a country, is to lead the country to prosperity. Knowing the two alternatives is a pattern. Remaining aware of the pattern is a virtue. This dark and mysterious virtue is profound. It is opposite our natural inclination, but leads to harmony with the heavens.

TaoSong 65

TaoSong 65 q = 70 A‹

4 &4 ≈ 4

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

FŒ„Š7

≈

The an - cient Mas - ters who un - der - stood FŒ„Š7 C G/B A‹

& ≈

œ œ œ œ œ

& ‰

are too cle - ver.

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ

lead the coun - try to ru - in. FŒ„Š7

lead the coun - try to pros A‹ E7

2 4 & 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ™ 4 œ œ œ œ œ pe - ri - ty. FŒ„Š7

‰

Kno - wing the two al - ter - na - tives 20 FŒ„Š7 C µ A‹

& œ œ œœœœœ Œ Œ

pat - tern is a vir - tue. 23 FŒ„Š7

≈

D‹

It is op - po - site G

to har - mo - ny

to guide, G

is to

To use cle - ver - ness to rule a coun - try, G

Œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ -

FŒ„Š7

‰

tern. E7

coun - try, FŒ„Š7

is to G/B

‰ œ œ œœ œœ œ œœ

Re -main- ing a - ware FŒ„Š7 C

of the

œ œœœ œœ œ œœœœ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ

This dark and my - ste - ri - ous vir-tue FŒ„Š7

our FŒ„Š7

‰ œœœ œ œ™

Œ ≈ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ

is pro - found.

2 4 4œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4˙ na - tural in - cli - na C

2 4 & œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ 4 Œ œ œ œ 4 ˙ leads

are dif - fi - cult µ D‹

D‹

is a pat

& ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

j œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œ ™

did not e - du- cate peo - ple, FŒ„Š7 C

To a - void cle - ver - ness in ruling a A‹ E7

& ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

2 ‰ 4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ

≈

‰

the way of the Tao, E7

2‰ j 4 4 ™ ™ œ œ œœ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ4˙ 5

œ œ œœœ œœ

Smart peo - ple C

FŒ„Š7

be - cause they think they 11 FŒ„Š7

FŒ„Š7

j ‰ œ œœ œœ œœ œ Œ

but made them for - get. FŒ„Š7 C

∑

‰™

r œ but

tion,

∑

with the hea - vens.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Rivers and seas are rulers of the streams of hundreds of valleys because of the power of their low position. If you want to be the ruler of people, you must speak to them like you are their servant. If you want to lead other people, you must put their interest ahead of your own. The people will not feel burdened, if a wise person is in a position of power. The people will not feel like they are being manipulated, if a wise person is in front as their leader. The whole world will ask for her guidance, and will never get tired of her. Because she does not like to compete, no one can compete with the things she accomplishes.

TaoSong 66

q = 70

4 œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ ‰ œ &4 œ œ A‹

Ri - vers and seas are ru - lers

D‹7

A‹

of the streams of hun - dreds of val - leys

A‹

œ™ œ œ œ Œ

low

œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ≈œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ

D‹7

A‹

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ ≈ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œœœ Ó J œ

po - si - tion.

If you want to be

the ru - ler of peo - ple,

œ œœœœ œ œ œ œ ˙ œ œ & ‰ œ œ œ

D‹7

A‹

like you are their ser

vant.

11 FŒ„Š7

A‹

D‹7

Œ ‰ ™ r œ œ œ œ ≈ œ™ J œ Œ œ The

‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œr

if a wise per - son is in

a po - si - tion of po - wer.

œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œœ™ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ j ‰ œ œ ˙ œ & J

A‹

D‹7

peo - ple will not 24

∑

feel

FŒ„Š7

they are be - ing

A‹

‰ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ if a wise per - son is in

œ œ œ œ œ œj ™ & ‰œ œ

D‹7

for her gui

dance,

31 FŒ„Š7

A‹

‰ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ

A‹

‰ œJ œ œ œJ œ™

≈œ œ

front as their lea - der.

∑

pu - la - ted,

D‹7

The

œ œ œÓ

The whole world will ask

D‹7

‰ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ ≈œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 3

and will ne - ver get tired of her. G

& œ œ œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œJ no one can com - pete

ma - ni

A‹

peo - ple will not feel

D‹7

‰ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ

bur - dened,

you must

A‹

‰ ™ œR œ œ ™ Œ

& Œ

o - ther peo - ple

a - head of your own.

put their in - terest

‰ œ œ œJ œ ™ ‰ œ œ

Œ Ó

∑

you must speak to them

D‹7

If you want to lead

& œ œ œ œœ™ Œ ‰ ™ œR œ œ œ œ œ™ œ

be - cause of the po - wer of their

A‹

œ œœ œ œ œŒ

Be - cause she does not like to com - pete,

∑

with the things she ac - com - plish - es.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

The world talks about honoring the Tao, but you can’t tell it from their actions. Because it is thought of as great, the world makes light of it. It seems too easy for anyone to use. There are three jewels that I cherish: compassion, moderation, and humility. With compassion, you will be able to be brave, With moderation, you will be able to give to others, With humility, you will be able to become a great leader. To abandon compassion while seeking to be brave, or abandoning moderation while being benevolent, or abandoning humility while seeking to lead will only lead to greater trouble. The compassionate warrior will be the winner, and if compassion is your defense you will be secure. Compassion is the protector of Heaven’s salvation.

TaoSong 67

q = 78

#4 & 4

∑

D(„ˆˆ2)

‰ ™ r œ ‰ œj œ œ™ Œ œ

The world

D(„ˆˆ2)

C(„ˆˆ2)

but you can't tell it from their ac

D(„ˆˆ2)

C(„ˆˆ2)

œ & ‰ œ œ œ œ œœœœ œ œ Œ Ó the world makes light

D(„ˆˆ2)

Be - cause it is thought of as

D(„ˆˆ2)

great,

C(„ˆˆ2)

œ œ œ œ™ ‰ ™ œr œ œœ œ œ œ œœ œ œ Œ

It seems too ea - sy

C(„ˆˆ2)

‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ

‰

of it.

ho - no - ring the Tao,

D(„ˆˆ2)

tions.

œ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ

talks a - bout

& ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó

C(„ˆˆ2)

for

a - ny - one to use.

D(„ˆˆ2)

C(„ˆˆ2)

r & ‰ œJ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ ™ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ Œ There are three jewels that I

∑

che - rish:

Œ ‰ œ œ

com - pas - sion, mo - de - ra - tion,

œ œ ‰ œ œ œœ œ œ œœ

and hu- mi - li - ty.

E‹

With com - pas - sion, you will be a - ble to be brave,

& œ œ ≈œ œ œœ œ œ œ œœœ

ra - tion, you will be a - ble to give to o - thers,

E‹

Œ ≈œ œ œ

With mo - de

œ Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œœ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ With hu - mi - li- ty,

you will be a - ble to

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 67, continued

# & œ œ œ œ œœœ œ E‹

be - come a great lea

C(„ˆˆ2)

D(„ˆˆ2)

‰ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ™ ‰ ™ œr

˙™

der.

To a - ban - don

D(„ˆˆ2)

com - pas - sion

C(„ˆˆ2)

while

r & œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ ‰™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ seek - ing to be brave,

mo - de-ra - tion

or a - ban - don - ing

D(„ˆˆ2)

C(„ˆˆ2)

r & œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ™ ‰ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ ban - don - ing hu- mi - li - ty

∑

while seek - ing to lead

Œ ‰ œ œ

E‹

Hea - ven's

sal - va

‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™ will on - ly lead to grea - ter

war - ri - or will be the win - ner,

E‹

is your de - fense you will be se - cure.

j # & œ œ™ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ

C(„ˆˆ2)

trou - ble.

œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ ≈œ œ œ

& œ œ ≈œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

or a-

E‹

pas - sion

D(„ˆˆ2)

The com - pas - sio - nate

while be - ing be - ne - vo - lent,

and if com

™ r œ Œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ ‰ œœ œ œ œ œ

tion.

TaoSongs.com

Com - pas - sion

∑

is the pro - tec - tor of

∑

The best warriors do not use violence. The best generals do not destroy indiscriminately. The best tacticians try to avoid confrontation. The best leaders become servants of their people. This is called the virtue of non-competition. This is called the power to manage others. This is called attaining harmony with the heavens.

TaoSong 68

q = 114 C

4 &4

∑

A‹

∑

Œ ‰ œj

∑

The

˙™

œœ œœ˙ A‹

war - ri - ors

best

˙™

‰ œj w

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™œ ˙™

be - come ser - vants B‹

& ˙™

# #

∑

The

˙™

tion.

The

best

∑

B‹

œ œ ˙™ A‹

œœœœ # w

Œ œJ œ œJ œJ œ ™ ˙

try

to a - void

∑

œœ

∑

Œ œœ ‰ j œœ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

∑

of their peo - ple. B‹

the vir - tue D

to man - age o - thers. B‹

˙™

har - mo - ny

∑

lea - ders B‹

j œ œ™ ˙

- ing

not des - troy G

˙™

‰ œj w

This is called the po - wer D

‰ œ œJ ˙™ A‹

o - lence.

œ œ œ ˙™

∑

œ Œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ™

# & œœœ Ó

tac - ti - cians

This is called

∑

œ œ œ œ œ™ J

not use

best

B‹

œœ œ œœ˙ J J

& ˙

‰ œj w

œ œ œ œJ œ ™

con - fron - ta

ge - ne - rals C

best

in - di - scri - mi - nate - ly. G7

œœ œœ˙ A‹

˙™

The

∑

œ œ œ ˙™ J J

˙™

of non - com - pe - ti - tion B‹

∑

with D

∑

B‹

∑

œ œ™

œ Œ œœ

This is called D

at - tain

Œ œ œ ˙

∑

the heavens. D

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

There is an old saying: “It is better to become the passive in order to see what will happen. It is better to retreat a foot than to advance only an inch.” This is called being flexible while advancing, pushing back without using force, and destroying the enemy without engaging him. There is no greater disaster than underestimating your enemy. Underestimating your enemy means loosing your greatest assets. When equal forces meet in battle, victory will go to the one that enters with the greatest sorrow.

TaoSong 69

TaoSong 69 q = 116 C

4 &4 Ó

A‹7

It is A‹7

force, 27 FŒ„Š7

Œ œ œœ œ œ œ Œ Œ œœ J J

∑

A‹

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ j œ œœœ i - ble while ad - van A‹7 G

and des - tro

j j œ œ œ œ™

∑

ging him.

than to

as - ter G

ne - my C

ying C A‹7

cing, C

∑

A‹7

pushing back with - out u- sing A‹7 G

∑

than un - de - res - ti - ma - ting your e - ne - my. FŒ„Š7 C

means lo - sing your great - est as - sets. A‹7 G C A‹7

œ œ œ œ œj œ ™ bat

& ˙

tle,

œœœ œ œ œœ ˙

∑

vic - to - ry will go to the one A‹7 G C

∑

with - out C

j ‰ œ œ

en - ga A‹7

Œ œ œœ œ œ œ

There is no grea - ter dis A‹

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Un- de - res - ti - ma - ting your e A‹7 G

‰ j œ œ œ œœ œ

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

ŒÓ

e - ne - my A‹7 G

pen.

Œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙ the

j Œ Œ œ œ j & œ œ œ œ œ œœœ ˙ &

j œœœœ

ad - vance on - ly an inch." C A‹7

j & œ œ œ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó

"It is

There is an old sa - ying: FŒ„Š7

bet - ter to re - treat a foot G FŒ„Š7

Œ œ œ œœœœ˙

j & œ

the pas - sive in or - der to see what will hap G C A‹7

A‹7

This is called be - ing flex G C

& ˙

A‹7

‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œj œ™

∑

& œJ œ œJ œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ Œ œ œ œ œ œJ œ œ œ J œœ

bet - ter to be - come C

& Ó

A‹7

∑

œ œ œ œj œ ™ & œ œ J

œ Œ Œ ™ œj

When e - qual for - ces meet FŒ„Š7

Œ œœ œ œ œ œ œœœ œ

A‹7

that en - ters with the great - est sor G C

∑

row.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

My words are easy to understand and easier to put into practice. Yet no one in the world seems to understand them, or be able to apply what I teach. My teachings come from the ancients, the things I do are done for a reason. Because you do not know me, you are not able to understand my teachings. Because those who know me are few, my teachings become even more precious.

TaoSong 70

TaoSong 70 Swing q = 114 C

3 &4

FŒ„Š7

∑

FŒ„Š7

∑

‰ œj

FŒ„Š7

& œ œ œ œ ™ œj œ œ œ œ ™ Œ Œ Ó œ œ 3

ea - si - er

16 FŒ„Š7

put in - to prac - tice.

FŒ„Š7

24 FŒ„Š7

or be

‰ j œœ˙ œ My tea - chings

FŒ„Š7

Be - cause

& œ œœ

tea - chings.

& œœ˙ be - come

FŒ„Š7

Yet no one

FŒ„Š7

j œ œ œ œ ˙

FŒ„Š7

∑

‰ j œ

and

FŒ„Š7

Œ™

an - cients,

in the world seems to un - der - stand

FŒ„Š7

teach.

Œ Œ

∑

FŒ„Š7

∑

FŒ„Š7

Œ ‰ œj œ™ œ j œ œ œ œ œœ œ

the things I

FŒ„Š7

are done for a rea -

FŒ„Š7

j Œ Œ œ œ ˙ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

you do not know me,

you are not

FŒ„Š7

œ œ™ œ œ œ œ C

œ œ œ œ œœ ˙

a - ble

œ Œ Œ

œ œœ

Be - cause those who know me are few,

FŒ„Š7

‰ j œ œ™œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œœœœ œ œ

come from the

œ œ™˙

son.

œ™

∑

to ap - ply what I

FŒ„Š7

ea - sy to un - der - stand

a - ble

& Ó

words are

‰ j œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ

œ ˙

them,

FŒ„Š7

j j œ œ œ ™ œ œj œ œ œj œ œ ™ Œ

FŒ„Š7

∑

FŒ„Š7

∑

to un - der - stand my

FŒ„Š7

Œ ‰ j œ œ œ

my tea - chings

∑

FŒ„Š7

∑

e - ven more pre - cious.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Knowing you don’t know is wholeness. Thinking you know is a disease. Only by recognizing that you have an illness can you move to seek a cure. The Master is whole because she sees her illnesses and treats them, and thus is able to remain whole.

TaoSong 71

TaoSong 71 q = 148 E‹7(„ˆˆ4)

4 &4

∑

FŒ„Š7

∑

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Ó

E‹7(„ˆˆ4)

∑

FŒ„Š7

Kno - wing you don't know is whole - ness.

E‹7(„ˆˆ4)

& œ œ œ œ œœœ œ

Thin - king you know is a dis - ease.

On - ly by

cure.

The Mas - ter is

j œ œ™

& œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

sees her ill - nes - ses and treats

E‹7(„ˆˆ4)

∑

and thus

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œj J she

œ œ œ œ œ œ

a - ble

E‹7(„ˆˆ4)

can you

FŒ„Š7

œ j œ œ œ œ

them,

FŒ„Š7

whole be - cause

E‹7(„ˆˆ4)

Œ™

ill - ness

FŒ„Š7

‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

˙™

& w

re - cog - ni - zing that you have an

E‹7(„ˆˆ4)

move to seek

œ œœœœœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ Œ œ œ

& œ œ œ œ œ œ

FŒ„Š7

∑

FŒ„Š7

re - main

∑

whole.

∑

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

When people become overly bold, then disaster will soon arrive.

Do not meddle with people’s livelihoods; if you respect them, they will in turn respect you. Therefore, the Master knows herself but is not arrogant. She loves herself but also loves others. This is how she is able to make appropriate choices.

TaoSong 72

TaoSong 72 q = 74 A‹

4 &4 Ó

FŒ„Š7

C E‹/B A‹

Œ Œ Ó

FŒ„Š7

C E‹/B

A‹

Œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ When peo - ple be - come o - ver - ly bold,

FŒ„Š7

j ‰ œ œ œ™ œ œ#œ ‰ ™ œr œ œ œ

E‹/B

A‹

œ œ œ œ™ œ œ Œ

as - ter will soon ar - rive.

FŒ„Š7

not med - dle

A‹

FŒ„Š7

if you re - spect them, they will

A‹

& Ó

FŒ„Š7

in turn re - spect

C E‹/B

A‹

Œ Œ

E‹/B

A‹

j & ‰ œ œ œ œ #œ œ A‹

She loves her - self

20 FŒ„Š7

but

E‹/B A‹

& œ œ œœœœŒ

FŒ„Š7

œ™

Œ œ œ œœ

FŒ„Š7

C E‹/B

FŒ„Š7

E‹/B

œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰™ r œ œ œ œ Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ

C E‹/B

Œ œ œ œœœ

al - so loves o - thers.

E‹/B

you.

her - self but is

There - fore, the Mas - ter knows

with peo - ple's live - li - hoods;

j œ œ œ œ & ‰ œ œ œ œ œ #œ œ œ œ œ œ

then dis

FŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ#œ œ œ œ

This is

C E‹/B A‹

Œ Œ

A‹

not ar - ro - gant.

how she is a - ble

FŒ„Š7

to make ap-

C E‹/B A‹

Œ Œ

∑

pro - pri - ate choi - ces.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Being over bold and confident is deadly. The wise use of caution will keep you alive.

One is the way to death, and the other is the way to preserve your life. Who can understand the workings of Heaven? The Tao of the universe does not compete, yet wins; does not speak, yet responds; does not command, yet is obeyed; and does act, but is good at directing. The nets of Heaven are wide, but nothing escapes its grasp.

TaoSong 73

TaoSong 73 q = 134 D5

4 &4

G5 A5 E5 D5

∑

‰ ‰ ‰ ‰

G5 A5 E5

‰ ‰ ‰ ‰ ™™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

∑

Be - ing o - ver bold

j ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œ œ œ œJ ‰ ‰ ‰

œ œ œ œ ‰ ‰ ‰ œ & J

G5 A5 E5

fi - dent is dead - ly. 9

G5 A5 E5

One is the way to death,

CŒ„Š7(„ˆˆ13)

& œ Œ œ œ œ œœ &

∑

j j j j œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œœ œ œ

Œ ‰‰ ‰ ‰ ‰

and the o - ther is the way to pre - serve your life.

B¨(#4)

D5(„ˆˆ9)

the wor - kings of

Œ ‰™ r œ œ œ œ œœ œ

∑

‰

& Œ œ œ œ 3

œ œ ˙™

‰ j œ œ œ œœœœ

& ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ

and does not act, but is good

33 D5(„ˆˆ9)

∑

at di - rec - ting CŒ„Š7(„ˆˆ13)

Œ Ó

Œ™

D5(„ˆˆ9)

o - beyed; B¨

‰ œ™

The nets of Hea - ven

B¨(#4)

are

D5(„ˆˆ9)

j j j j j j Ó œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ™ œ œ œ™ but

∑

œ œ œ œ ˙™

does not com - mand, yet is

wide,

∑

j œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™ ≈ œr œ œ œ œ ˙ ∑

& œœœœœ œ ˙ B¨(#4)

j œ œ œ C

CŒ„Š7(„ˆˆ13)

∑

does not com - pete, yet wins;

does not speak, yet re - sponds;

∑

D5(„ˆˆ9)

Hea - ven?

The Tao of the u- ni - verse

CŒ„Š7(„ˆˆ13) B¨(#4)

j j j œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙™

Who can un - der - stand

G5 A5 E5

The wise use of cau - tion will keep you a - live.

& ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ

and con

noth - ing

∑

CŒ„Š7(„ˆˆ13)

es - capes

∑

B¨(#4)

its

∑

grasp.

D5(„ˆˆ9)

∑

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

If you do not fear death, then how can it intimidate you? If you aren’t afraid of dying, there is nothing you can not do. Those who harm others are like inexperienced boys trying to take the place of a great lumberjack. Trying to fill his shoes will only get them seriously hurt.

TaoSong 74

TaoSong 74 Swing q = 116 A‹

6 &4 ∑

A‹

4 4

∑

A‹

6 4 4 œj œ œ œ œj œ™ œj 4 œ Œ Ó

∑

If you do not fear

A‹

6 j 4 & 4 œ œ œ œj œ œ œj œ œj 4 œ Œ Ó

A‹

4 &4 ˙ G

& ™™ C

& ˙

∑

& œ Œ Œ ‰ œœ œœœ œ œ œ of a

great

∑

Ó C

∑

Œ Ó

j j œ ™ œ œ œ œj

ri - ous - ly FŒ„Š7

™™ Ó

FŒ„Š7

j œ

hurt

œ G

∑

∑ j œ™ œ œ œ œœ

trying to take the place FŒ„Š7

Trying to fill his shoes

j j œ œ œ -

A‹

in - ex - pe - ri - enced boys

lum - ber - jack.

œ™

them 37

FŒ„Š7

∑

do.

j j j Œ ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ

27 FŒ„Š7

A‹

FŒ„Š7

are like

4 4

If you aren't a - fraid of dy -

∑

™™

Those who harm o - thers

6 4œ œ œ œœœœ ˙

∑

there is noth - ing you can not

FŒ„Š7

then

6 4 j Œ Ó j 4 4 œj œ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ

∑

Œ ‰ j 46 œ G

ing, 16

death,

in - ti - mi - date you?

how can it

Œ Ó

Œ™ j œ œ œœœ will on - ly get

∑

Ó ∑

™™

∑

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

When people go hungry, the government’s taxes are too high. When people become rebellious, the government has become too intrusive. When people begin to view death lightly, wealthy people have too much which causes others to starve. Only those who do not cling to their life can save it.

TaoSong 75

TaoSong 75 q = 98

### 4 & 4

∑

j œ œ œ œ œ Œ Ó œ

Œ™

∑

When peo - ple go hun - gry,

### ‰ j œ œ & œ

œ œ œœœ œœ ˙

the go - vern - ment's tax - es are too

Œ ™ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ™

high.

When peo - ple be - come re - bel - lious,

### ‰ ™ r œ œ œ œ 2 œ œ 4 œ œ œ™ Ó œ œ & 4 4 œ

the go - vern - ment has be - come

### œ j œ œ œ œ œ™ &

death light

ly,

too in -

‰ j œ œœ œœ œ œ

∑

tru - sive.

Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

When peo - ple be - gin to view

j œ œ œ œ œœ œ

Œ™

weal - thy peo - ple have too much

which cau - ses o - thers to starve.

### ˙ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 42 œ œ 44 œ œ œ ˙ Œ &

On - ly those who do not cling to their

life can

∑

save it.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

The living are soft and yielding; the dead are rigid and stiff. Living plants are flexible and tender; the dead are brittle and dry. Those who are stiff and rigid are the disciple of death. Those who are soft and yielding are the disciples of life. The rigid and stiff will be broken. The soft and yielding will overcome.

TaoSong 76

q = 104

#4 & 4 ∑ C

∑

Œ ™ œj œ œ œ

∑

soft

stiff.

Œ ‰ œJ œ ˙

stiff

and ri - gid

G/F©

# œ œ œ œ œ œ &

are

# & ˙

the dis - ci - ples of

soft

G/F©

œ œ œ œ 3

and yiel

ding

E‹

& ˙

E‹

are the dis - ci - ple of

j Œ ≈œœ œ œ j Œ œ œ

the dead are brit - tle and dry.

Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™ Œ ˙™ œ G

death.

œ œ œ Those who are

œ ‰ œj œ œ œ life.

The ri - gid and

œ Œ

stiff

Those who are

j j œ œ œ œ œ œj œ œ ‰ œ E‹

Œ ‰ œJ œ ˙

soft

and yiel - ding

‰ œj

œ œ œ ˙ will be

j j j j œ œ œj œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ ™

E‹

will

the dead are ri - gid and

Li - ving plants are flex - i - ble and ten - der;

# ˙ &

and yiel - ding;

j ‰ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ J

# œ œ ˙ & œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œJ œ™ J

˙ Œ ‰ œJ œ ˙

The li - ving are

j ‰ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ J

bro - ken.

The

o - ver - come.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

The Tao of Heaven works in the world like the drawing of a bow. The top is bent downward; the bottom is bent up. The excess is taken from, and the deficient is given to. The Tao works to use the excess, and gives to that which is depleted. The way of people is to take from the depleted, and give to those who already have an excess. Who is able to give to the needy from their excess? Only someone who is following the way of the Tao. This is why the Master gives expecting nothing in return. She does not dwell on her past accomplishments, and does not glory in any praise.

TaoSong 77

TaoSong 77 q. = 70 CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7

FŒ„Š7

G CŒ„Š7

FŒ„Š7 G

CŒ„Š7

FŒ„Š7 G

6 j & 8 Œ ™ Œ ‰ Œ ™ Œ ‰ ™™ ‰ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ Œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ 6

CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7

The Tao of Hea - ven works in the world FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7

like the dra - wing of a bow. FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7 G

Œ ‰ Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œj œ œ ≈ r œ œ œ œ œ ‰ Œ ™ œ

& ™ œ

The top is bent FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7

down - ward; G CŒ„Š7

the bot - tom is bent up. FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7 q = 140 F5

U j ™ œ œ œ Œ ‰ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ™ œ

11 CŒ„Š7

The ex - cess is

ta - ken from, and the de - fi - cient is gi - ven to. A5 F5

œ œ & b Œ œ œ œ œ J œ™ Ó to use

&b œ Œ Ó

∑

Œ™

the ex - cess, F5

Œ™

ted. F5

B¨

and give to those

which is de - ple -

j j j œj œ œ œ œ œJ œJ œ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ peo - ple A5

take

œ Œ ‰ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

∑

who al - rea - dy have an ex - cess. C5 B¨

j œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ b œ œ œj œ Œ & J

œ œ œ

from their ex - cess? C5 q. = 70

j & b œ œ œ œ œ œJ œ œ œ œ ˙ ™

∑

fol - lo - wing the way of the Tao. 43 CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7

FŒ„Š7

& œ™ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4

Mas ter gives ex - pec - ting noth - ing in re - turn. 48 CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7

œ œœ œœ œ Ó

Who is a - ble to C

œ œ œ Œ™

On - ly some - one who CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7

œ J

is FŒ„Š7 G

n 68 ™™ Œ ™ Œ ‰ Œ ™ Œ ‰ ™™ Œ œ œ œ œj

G CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7

FŒ„Š7

Œ ™ Œ ‰ Œ œJ œ œ œ

This is why the CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7 G

œ™ Œ œ œ

She does not dwell on her FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7 FŒ„Š7 G CŒ„Š7

j & œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ ™ Œ ‰ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œj œ ™ Œ ‰ past ac - com - plish - ments,

∑

from the de - ple - ted, B¨ C

give to the nee - dy B¨

Œ ™ œJ œ œ œ

∑

j œ œ œ œ

j j œ™ œ œ

The Tao works

and gives to that A5

The way of

& b Œ ™ œj œ œ œ

b 44 Œ ™

Œ ‰

FŒ„Š7

G CŒ„Š7

and does not glo - ry

∑

in a - ny praise.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Water is the softest and most yielding substance. Yet nothing is better than water, for overcoming the hard and rigid, because nothing can compete with it. Everyone knows that the soft and yielding overcomes the rigid and hard, but few can put this knowledge into practice. Therefore the Master says: “Only he who is the lowest servant of the kingdom, is worthy to become its ruler. He who is willing to tackle the most unpleasant tasks, is the best ruler in the world.” True sayings seem contradictory.

TaoSong 78

TaoSong 78 q = 74

#4 & 4

∑

œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ

Wa - ter

is the soft - est

# ≈ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ #œ Œ &

Yet noth - ing is better than wa

and most G

‰™ r œ ™ œ

for

ter,

yiel - ding substance.

œœœœœ ‰ œœ

o - ver- co - ming

the hard

# 5 4 œœ & œ™ œ œ œ Œ 4 ‰ œ œ œ ™ œ œœ œ œœœœ 4 œ Œ Ó

be - cause noth - ing can com - pete

and ri - gid,

with

∑

it.

# œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ™ Œ ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ nœ #œ Œ Œ ‰ ™ œr

E - very - one knows that the soft G C G

# œ™ œ œ œ œœ Œ &

and yiel - ding

# œ œ œ œ A‹

o - ver - comes the ri - gid and hard, D G

know - ledge

in - to prac

"On - ly he who is the low - est ser - vant of the king

A‹

# œ œ œ œ œ™ œ Œ & G

most un - plea - sant tasks,

∑

A‹

ler.

He who is wil - ling to tackle

A‹

Œ œœ œ œ œœœœœ is the best ru - ler in

True

sa - yings seem

œ Œ Ó

the

∑

the world."

4 œ œ ™ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj 42 ™ œ œ œœ œ4 œ Œ Ó C

dom,

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ

is wort - hy to be - come its ru

tice.

# & ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Œ Ó

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ™ œ œ

There - fore the Mas - ter says: 23

but

5 4 4 Œ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 4 œ Œ Ó

few can put this 21

∑

con - tra - dic - to - ry.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Difficulties remain, even after solving a problem. How then can we consider that as good? Therefore the Master does what she knows is right, and makes no demands of others. A virtuous person will do the right thing, and persons with no virtue will take advantage of others. The Tao does not choose sides, the good person receives from the Tao because she is on its side.

TaoSong 79

TaoSong 79 q = 74 C

4 &4 Ó

FŒ„Š7

™™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ

Œ™ ‰ Ó

Dif - fi - cul - ties re - main,

FŒ„Š7

& ‰ œJ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ How then can we

con- si - der that

& Ó

per - son will do

& ‰ œJ œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ will take ad - van

& ≈

de - mands

the right thing,

‰ œ

œœœ

o - thers.

tage

There - fore the Mas - ter does

FŒ„Š7

œ œ œ œ œœœ

œ œ œ œœœ œ œ Œ

A vir tu - ous

FŒ„Š7

good?

and makes no

‰™ r œœ œ œ

Œ œœ œ œ œœ œ

2 4 Œ Ó ‰ œ œ™ œ œ œ™ œ œ 4 J œ œ œ œ œœ 4 œ

is right,

œœ

e - ven af - ter sol - ving a pro - blem.

FŒ„Š7

& ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ what she knows

j œ œ

of o - thers.

≈

and per - sons with no vir - tue

‰™

FŒ„Š7

r œ œ œ œœ œœ œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ

the good per - son re - ceives from the Tao

The Tao does not choose sides,

FŒ„Š7

œœ œ Œ œ œ œ œ

4 ‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ 42 œœ œ œ œ 4 ˙ be - cause she

is on

U Ó

its side.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Small countries with few people are best. Give them all of the things they want, and they will see that they do not need them. Teach them that death is a serious thing, and to be content to never leave their homes. Even though they have plenty of horses, wagons and boats, they won’t feel that they need to use them. Even if they have weapons and shields, they will keep them out of sight. Let people enjoy the simple technologies, let them enjoy their food, let them make their own clothes, let them be content with their own homes, and delight in the customs that they cherish. Although the next country is close enough that they can hear their roosters crowing and dogs barking, they are content never to visit each other all of the days of their lives.

TaoSong 80

q = 118

### 4 & 4

F©‹

∑

B‹

∑

F©‹

B‹

∑

F©‹

B‹

Œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ J

∑

Small coun - tries with few peo - ple are

Œ ™ œj œ œ œ œ œj œ œj œ œ œ œ

B‹

F©‹

Give them all of thethings they want,

B‹

∑

F©‹

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Teach them that death is

### Œ ™ j j œ & œ œ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ

B‹

need

B‹

œ J

Œ™

them.

B‹

and they will see that they do not

F©‹

best.

F©‹

B‹

˙™

∑

se - ri - ous

F©‹

∑

B‹

thing,

nnn

∑

and to be con - tent to ne - ver leave their homes.

œ œ œ & Œ

A‹

œ œ œ œ Œ Ó

‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Ó œ J

E - ven though they have plen - ty

& Œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ they won't feel that they need

œœœ œ œ œ ˙ & Œ

E - ven if they have wea - pons

of hor - ses, wa - gons and

œ œ™ J ‰ œ œ J

œ œ J to

A‹

œ J

use

œ Œ Ó

and shields,

j œ œ™

A‹

boats,

∑

them.

∑

Œ œ œ œ œ

they will keep them

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

TaoSong 80, continued

2 34

& ˙

œ œ J

out

œ J

### &

F©‹

B‹

∑

A‹

∑

###

sight.

∑

F©‹

B‹

∑

F©‹

B‹

Œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ j œ™ œ

∑

Let peo - ple en - joy the sim - ple tech - no - lo - gies,

### Œ ™ &

F©‹

B‹

j j j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ let them en - joy

their food,

F©‹

let them make their own

B‹

### &

F©‹

˙ Ó

B‹

∑

nnn

B‹

and de - light in the cus - toms that they che - rish.

Œ ™ œJ œ œ œ œ œ œ œJ Ó J

Al - though the next

A‹

Œ ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œJ œ ™ Ó J 3

coun - try

is close

j 3 œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ ™ ™ j Œ Œ œ œ œœœ œ œ œ Œ Ó & œ

A‹

that they can hear their roos - ters cro - wing

63 G

∑

A‹

clothes,

j j Œ ™ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

F©‹

let them be con - tent with their own homes,

B‹

Œ™

### Œ ™ j j j j & œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™

j j œ œ œ œ œ œ œ™ Ó

F©‹

and dogs

œ œ œœ œ œ œœœŒ

ne - ver to vi - sit each o - ther

all

˙™

TaoSongs.com

e - nough

bark - ing,

œ œ œ œ they are con - tent

œ œ œj œ j œ œ ˙ œœ

of the

days

their lives.

U Ó

True words do not sound beautiful; beautiful sounding words are not true. Wise men don’t need to debate; men who need to debate are not wise. Wise men are not scholars, and scholars are not wise. The Master desires no possessions. Since the things she does are for the people, she has more than she needs. The more she gives to others, the more she has for herself. The Tao of Heaven nourishes by not forcing. The Tao of the Wise person acts by not competing.

TaoSong 81

q = 106 C

4 &4

∑

FŒ„Š7

∑

j œ œ™ Ó

∑

j j œ œ œ

Œ™

True words 8

beau - ti - ful soun - ding words FŒ„Š7

& œ œ œ œ œ œ 18

FŒ„Š7

∑

œ œ

and scho - lars are

& ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œj œ œ œ œ

The Mas - ter E7

& Œ

de - si - res 3

are for 33

the peo - ple,

& ‰ œj œ œ œ œ œ œ

The Tao

& Ó

œ ‰

Œ Ó

FŒ„Š7

∑

∑ C

‰ j j Ó œ œ œ œ œ™ Since the things she does C

j œ œ œ œ

œ œ

Œ Ó ‰ j œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ

Œ Ó

the more she has for her - self. A‹

Hea - ven nour - ish - es

not

Œ ‰ j œ™ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ˙ œ Tao

than she needs. D‹7

FŒ„Š7

j #œ œ œ œ œ ‰ œ œ œ œ™ œ œ œ œ Œ J œ C

The

she has more

The more she gives to o - thers, E7

& ‰ œj œ Œ ™

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ

∑

not wise.

FŒ„Š7

no pos - ses - sions. FŒ„Š7

don't need

∑

& Œ œ œ œ œ œ ™ œ œ™ œj œ œ œ œj œ ™ Ó

œ œ œœ œ œ Wise men

D‹7

men who need to de - bate are not wise. G C

Wise men are not scho - lars,

are not true.

œ œ œ œœ œ

to de - bate; C

œ œ ˙

do not sound beau - ti - ful

j œ œœ œ œ œœ œ ‰ œ œ œ

∑

& 14

FŒ„Š7

of the Wise per - son acts by not

∑ Ó

for - cing. C

œœ œœ œ

∑

com - pe - ting.

Public domain song by Vito Di Bona. Public domain translation by John H. McDonald. Please copy, distribute and perform freely.

TaoSongs.com

Vito Lorenzo Di Bona is a singer-songwriter and tai chi instructor in Durham and Roxboro, North Carolina. Learn more at TaoSongs.com

TaoSongs.com