CHINA
CULTURE - There
are few things that the people pride themselves more than
their culture, heritage and government solidarity. These
things come acroos perhaps best of all in the Chinese National
Anthem. The history of its writing and a translation of
the words into English will help.
In the early 20th century China
began to embrace Western culture and music was no exception.
In the 1930s, Western music was playing on some city radio
stations such as in Shanghai, and even American jazz, which
was played in clubs there.
Against this backdrop, the Chinese
National Anthem was written. It was composed
during a very difficult period for the country - and, perhaps
that is why the words speak of such bravery and loyalty.
It was written in the early 1930s. If you know anything
about Chinese history, you will realize that this is shortly
after an invasion that would change Chinese history. The
Japanese invasion of Manchuria was fresh in the Chinese
minds when a man named Nie Erh wrote the music, and Tian
Han wrote the words.
The song was written for a movie
– “The Sons and
Daughters in Times of Turmoil”, which
showed Chinese intellectuals marching to the front lines
in the War of Resistance against the Japanese. The words
are about the Chinese people standing against imperialist
aggression, and protecting China from foreign invaders.
It wasn’t actually chosen to be the National Anthem
until 1949, however.
Nie Erh was to have a very short
life. Two years after writing the anthem, he went to Japan
to study his love for music, and he was murdered there,
when he was in his early twenties.
Here, are the words to the Chinese
National Anthem from the Republic of China.
March
of The Volunteers
Arise, Ye who refuse to be slaves!
With our very flesh and blood, Let us build our new Great
Wall!
The peoples of China are in the most critical time, everybody
must roar his defiance.
Arise! Arise! Arise!
Millions of heats with one mind,
brave the enemy’s gunfire.
March On!
March On!
March On!
You can find the Chinese National
Anthem on several websites, as an MP 3 or midi file.
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