Josephine Siao Fong-Fong 萧芳芳

As a child star, Josephine Siao 萧芳芳 sang the memorable tear-jerking 妈妈好 Mama Hao in her movie “Nobody’s Child” (1960) which left an indelible impression on an audience of Chinese Cinema and music lovers in the Far East and the world at large. Much like “Hush, little baby”, the song  has become a standard for Chinese lullaby. Many singers have since recorded it in different Asian languages and have had revived it for each generation of new mothers and children at homes, in schools and orphanages around the world.

Josephine Siao’s acting career spanned five decades. She has been a spirited campaigner against child abuse, and founded the End Child Sexual Abuse Foundation (ECSAF). She was made a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1996.

She was one of the  Seven Princesses of the Cantonese teen movie royalty of the 60’s:  Fung So Po, Sum Ziwa, Connie Chan Po Chu, Josephine Siao Fong-Fong,  Nancy Sit Kar Yin, Wong Oi Ming and Petrina Fung Bo Bo.

妈妈好                                               Mama Hao (Chinese pinyin)

世上只有妈妈好                                Shi shang zhi you ma ma hao
有妈的孩子像块宝                              You ma de hai zi xiang ge bao
投进妈妈的怀抱                                   Tou jin ma ma de huai bao
幸福享不了                                           Xing fu xiang bu liao
没有妈妈最苦恼                                   Mei you ma ma zui ku nao
没妈的孩子像根草                              Mei ma de hai zi xiang ke cao
离开妈妈的怀抱                                    Li kai ma ma de huai bao
幸福哪里找                                            Xing fu na li zhao?
世上只有妈妈好                                   Shi shang zhi you ma ma hao
有妈的孩子不知道                              You ma de hai zi bu zhi dao
要是他知道 梦里也会笑                   Yao shi ta zhi dao, meng li ye hui xiao

(English translation)
Mom is the best in all the world
A child with a mom is so precious
In a mom’s bosom
Is everlasting happiness
Without mom is most sorrowful
A child without a mom is like a weed
Without a mom’s bosom
Where is happiness?
Mom is the best in all the world
A child with a mom is oblivious
And if a child only knew
E’en smiles while asleep