Impressive performance. He sings it perfectly yet makes you believe he is making a speech.

I am a bui-doi as is my sister. I left Saigon on April 10th of 1975 - 20 days before the Fall of Saigon. This song hits me hard and hits my adoptive mother even harder - she had to walk out of the Theatre when they started doing this piece.

The first time I heard Miss Saigon, I was like, "Wow, this sounds a lot like Les Mis." Then I looked at the composer, and I was like, "Oh, that's why."

It's amazing to me... he doesn't even look like he's singing, just looks like he's giving a speech.

I met Peter Polycarpou when I was doing Les Misérables Schools Edition nearly 15 years ago. He came and gave us vocals training. He is an inspiration!

This is the best version I've found on KZfaq thus far, and it's all in the acting. A lot of the time this song is performed as a righteous and tired man pleading to an uncaring public, trying to care about what he does. He's wise and is acting as though he has something to impart. In this version, the original version, this is not John trying to teach a lesson. This is an admission of guilt. He feels responsible as well and owns his own culpability. The vocal gymnastics in other versions can start to sound triumphant or even saccharine to me. John is much more composed, embarrassed, and somber in this version, which I feel redeems the earlier John we see much better. With most versions, John can come across as a self-righteous ass in this song. Who is he to take the moral high ground? Here, John has seen the error in his freewheeling ways back in Vietnam, and knows he could very well have his own bui doi somewhere. He is not condemning a separate group, he is blowing the whistle on something he is directly involved in, and by doing so, admitting to a terrible thing he did himself. He isn't proud and he isn't a teacher. He's just here to try and make reparations for something he did. Very beautiful, and a great way to immediately place John on higher ground than Chris at the top of the second act. In the first, Chris is unwilling to participate and has a lot morally on John. Now, it's Chris' turn in the barrel, while we see John's earned emotional maturity.

It makes me sad to hear that a lot of people don't even understand this song.

By far the best rendition of this song. Peter Polycarpou combined the vocal talent with his incredible voice acting!

I saw Miss Saigon over 20 years ago when I was only a teenager. Even then I was brought to tears by the powerful message this song has. It is the best song in the entire musical. To this day it still gives me goosebumps and makes me cry. I cannot wait for this show to return to the stage.

I was involved in a production of MIss Saigon in New Zealand, and this was by far my favourite song to sing. On final night, the whole male choir sung like we have never sung before, it was unforgettable.

my god, this performance brings me to tears everytime I watch it.

Im a bui doi. I used to question why i have to endure & suffer for the life i did not choose. I was never ashamed of it but people shamed me. God gave this life for a reason, so i embraced it.

Without a doubt, PP's rendition of this heartbreaking song is THE best ever. And yes there have been many other amazing singers sing this, but Peter is the original and best.

He acts this so well - you really believe he is giving a speech - it is heart wrenching

Hands down best version of this song, in my opinion. Sung straight, no vocal gymnastics, no crazy strutting around the stage. Simple, powerful and pure. Love it. Wish I could of seen the original cast they were amazing.

I have never been able to watch or listen to this song, since i first saw it on WOGAN as a little girl, without crying. Peter Polycarpou is so compelling with this song. So incredably powerful. I wish i'd had the chance to see the original cast performance of this show.

This is absolutely my favorite song of any musical, ever.

I love the way they sung this song, without effort. Their faces weren't contorted in pain to reach the notes.. it was flawless.. best version I have ever heard

For those who know the 10th Anniversary concert of Les Mis - Peter Polycarpou is my Philip Quast of Miss Saigon. That's the highest praise I can give.

Saw Peter in the Original show, he is to me the best, never fails to make me cry. No one else sings this with so much feeling. The show was amazing, the cast were amazing & yes I cried.

Give me a goosebump everytime, he is and still the best john role in miss saigon. He gives justice to this song.bravo!

Such an amazing voice.. So beautiful.. Don't like it when John's mess around with the tune when it's so beautiful to begin with.. He sings it with raw passion and simplicity... Perfection..

I believe that this song is as compelling and beautiful as anything in Les Miserables. While I've known and loved the song for many years now, it affects me so much more now that I have a little girl (who by the way is of mixed race). The shots of the babies in those metal cots is utterly heartbreaking. I keep picturing my own little one in the faces of each of them.

Beautiful, strong voice! Gave me goosebumps!👏🏼

I feel so incredibly lucky to have seen him perform this in May 2012 at the Royal Albert Hall - he is still just as powerful with so much passion and depth to his voice and performance. Amazing performer and heartbreaking song.

This is real musical theatre: a message, great singing, great acting, all of which puts a lump in your throat, a song in your head and makes you think about the world.

An amazing rendition of this song. I had only just seen Miss Saigon a few days ago and never heard the song before. Just listening to the lyrics (paired up with the accompanying video of the children in the background) just brought out the waterworks from me. I don't think I've ever had that kind of reaction at a show before; especially from a male ensemble.

Great song! The meaning is very deep. Im also a Bui Doi!

This version is so full of the passion and rage of the abandonment of so many innocent children. Really powerful.

He sings it so effortlessly. Smacks. Gets me verklempt.

THE definitive performance of Bui doi in my opinion. It this performance that made me want to go and see miss saigon

I did not know Peter Polycarpou or this song even existed ! And now words fail to express the magnificence of him and this song !

i remember when this Wogan episode aired and being really moved by this song. I was only at school at the time but couldn't get it out of my head. The performance is still brilliant, even after so many years.

hearing performances like this really truly humble me. I was three when this was performed and I just learned this song a couple of months ago as a performer. It truly is amazing to in a way through a performance see the history of this song and this great musical

Best version of this song, Peter is amazing! such a unique voice, suits the song wonderfully...

Peter Polycarpou is just Amazing. I didn't know he could sing and was blown away when I heard his version of Bui Doi. Can't stop listening to him. The power and the feeling that goes into every note that he sings, is memorising. Wish I had seen him in Les Mis..........😊

I love this song and listen to it daily. When I watched this video I started crying. Thank you to Peter for making this song and message come alive ❤️

Leaves me teary-eyed everytime I watch this. As they always say, the original is always the best. Peter has a full and powerful voice. Notice the way he opens his mouth-that's proper singing. He was just amazing!

Peter Polycarpou has been, is, and always will be, pure magic!

I heard this on the bbc recently, but to see it with the video footage really hit home what a screwed up world we live in. Mans inhumanity to his fellow man, kids being kept in conditions like that is a disgrace

To my shame, I only knew Peter Polycarpou as the bloke from Birds of a Feather. I'm happy to put that straight now - I came here via good reviews of his from 'City of Angels' currently at the Donmar Warehouse (so I thought 'can the bloke from Birds of a Feather sing?).Can he ever - powerful song, beautifully delivered & best version seen so far

Absolutely breath-taking. No-one will ever sing this better than Polycarpou. Ever.

Love this song and this version is the best I've heard seen Miss Saigon many times

A fabulous performance...this song rips me apart every time I hear it!

Definitely the best version of this with a beautiful choir

Just been introduced to Miss Siagon because our choir is learning Bui Doi for an Armistice Day concert in the Glasgow Concert Hall later this year. The emotions are overwhelming. Never thought anything could compare to Les Miz. but this sure does.

Peter You sound wonderful live. Never had the chance to see this original cast. Though would have LoVed to.

Thank this singer for his heattful and powerful sound, and we must not forget the past.

This is incredible, so beautiful and touching

MY FAVOURITE MUSICAL EVER - and I've seen quite a few! I was lucky enough to see the very first cast (along with others down the years) but as with Dr Who, the one you see first will always be your favourite. I only ever knew him (& Jonathan Pryce) as an actor - great shock to hear his emotive voice

This might be my favorite song from the show. This and I'd Give My Life For You. Beautiful.

Beautiful...solo and the chorus execellent!

Absolutely, positively the BEST to ever sing this role. The second iteration of "and BORN in strife" (about 2:36) is so powerful.

I think this song is the only one that I’ve actually sobbed to in the theatre. It took only seconds of this recording for the tears to fall. The video footage just makes it more impactful.

It brings tears to my eyes every time. I saw this on Broadway in 1991

I saw this at the Paramount in Seattle almost 30 years ago. The singer who sang this particular version brought me to tears, his baritone voice was amazing!

This is quite simply the greatest performance by any singer of any song ever.

Still the best version of this song. Peter Polycarpou made me cry.

I love this. I have always liked john and adored his voice in miss saigon and was always curious as to how he looked. This was the first time i saw him and it is amazing!! Thank goodness for the wogan show!!

The most powerful song from Miss Saigon, it says more about the aftermath of the Vietnam war than the entire plot of the musical, The adult roles described their struggle to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives... the Bui Doi never even had one. What a shame that this powerful message has done little or nothing to moderate US imperialism in the years since.

Gosh I love PP's rendition. He has a certain darkness to his voice (it's heavier), that makes the song a lot more powerful. Especially on the "because we know" part.

Honestly, this song is really, really beautiful. But I think the best part of the song, the one part that really brings it together, it the high G#4 during the chorus on the word born. Idk what it is, but the less polished that note is, the better it sounds to me. I think it's the note that really hammers the emotion of the song into me. It makes me feel their pain, because they have to reach. It shows they're working for the song, and the less polished it is, the more emotion I feel. Personally, anyway. And I really like the way this singer does it. He's always been my favorite of all the versions I've seen.

WOW, ABSOLUTELY sends chills through my body!!!! EXCELLLLLLENT!!!!

wasn't even born when this was broadcast, but I feel so moved watching this.

This is such an amazing song. Someone in my theatre society is singing this in my last ever concert and it almost reduces me to tears every time because it sounds sooo beautiful. Such a nice song. :) x

This is STILL the best version of 'Bui Doi' of all of the Johns I've heard....

So moving, I can't believe I still end up teary after hearing it. after so many years.

This song has moved me in a way....there are just no words. All i can say is BRAVO!

My uncle sang this song and it made me cry now i can't get it out of my head

this song got to me when I first heard it as a teenager. 15 years and 3 kids later it just kills me

Best version, always come back

this song makes you think that war is evil! this is the best version ever!

who would dislike this? come on people i would like to hear whats wrong with this its only the best most wonderful emotional song ever! I'm sorry but if you disliked this you have no soul

Just watched the Celebrity version on BBC I-Pleyer but this PP version still sems the most passionate,

Wow this song is so strikingly amazing! I love when he says "help me dear god" so so beautiful!

I’ve watched Miss Saigon numerous of times. I wished in this scene, the current show does not leave out these actual footage. When you watch the children, then the song means that much more. Miss Saigon, the lyric, the music, the story, and the setting, “Kim’s Nightmare” are that outstanding! Also, I like Peter P’s version very much too.

Fantastic voice and performance. What a shame we do this to ourselves.

super powerful performance! this song always gives me goose bumps x

I like this a lot more than the version I saw a few days ago. It's more forceful and emotional.

beautiful! i really like peter's version!

what a fantastic performance!!

This song always brings me to tears.

Imagine Americans not knowing that they have half brothers and sisters on the other side of the earth.

thanks for uploading i think this a true and honest song that touches even the rustiest of hearts. "god bless the children who live in shame god bless the kids who have no meaning but a name"

This song always brings tears to my eyes!

Wow. Never saw this before. That's a great performance!

Just saw Miss Saigon for the first time and this song had me in tears.

I only heard this song for the first time last month at a friends concert the more i hear it the more i love it

Ive seen other performances here in youtube. I think this ones the best.

I agree, rickram, he has a wonderful voice!

I was lucky enough to see the recording of this Wogan show.

@Cavillier1970 i hope so!!!! tht would be awesome!! it was the first musical i saw almost 20 yrs ago n STILL THE BEST IVE EVER SEEN!! this is the best song frm it.. m.

what an amazing voice.

Keeping it original like this, the way I saw it in 1999, the way it was when it started out, is the best way to keep it.

Thank you for that. People still don't know what the hell happened over there.

yes, the best version!

I saw this live and went two other times this is the best and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house bought me to tears

I cry hard everytime I hear bui doi, I'd give my life for you, the sacred bird, and the finale

amazing musical so is the opera madam butterfly hope it come back to Manchester soon

they are brief reminders of all the good we failed to do... great and challenging song...