Ode to the Motherland

"Ode to the Motherland"[1] (simplified Chinese: 歌唱祖国; traditional Chinese: 歌唱祖國; pinyin: Gēchàng Zǔguó) is a famous patriotic song of the People's Republic of China, written and music composed by Wang Xin[2] (王莘; Wáng Shēn; 26 October 1918–October 15, 2007) during the period immediately after the founding of the People's Republic of China (1949–1951). It is sometimes honoured as "the second national anthem" of the PRC.[3] The song was performed in the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics.[4]

"Ode to the Motherland"
Song
Written1950
GenreMarch
Composer(s)Wang Shen

It is the opening music of the radio programs News and Newspapers Summary (新闻和报纸摘要) and National Network News (全国新闻联播) on China National Radio.[3] Also, it is the closing music of some of CNR's radio channels.

Origin

Wang Xin, a musician from the nearby city of Tianjin, started writing this song in late September 1950, shortly after he saw the sea of fluttering Five Star Red Flags at Tiananmen Square during the preparation period for the first National Day of the People's Republic of China, which was to be held on 1 October that year. The song had become very popular firstly in Tianjin, then spreading to Beijing. The song's lyrics and its music composition were officially published on 15 September 1951 in the People's Daily', being promoted widely by the Ministry of Culture of China in time for the National Day festivities.[5]

Versions
  • During the Cultural Revolution, the song was renamed "Ode to the Socialist Motherland" and altered to include additional references to Mao Zedong, as well as new references to Marxism-Leninism, the Communist Party of China and the Cultural Revolution itself.[6][7]
  • In the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, a modern pop version of this song was sung by singer-songwriter Guo Rong in support of the Chinese National Olympics Team.
  • It was also sung by SNH48, former sister group of AKB48, to declare independence from the AKB48 Group and to build another local sister group under Siba Culture which also managed BEJ48, GNZ48, SHY48, CKG48 & CGT48.

Lyrics (original)

Our flags are waving in the wind
With the glorious praise of victory
Ode to our gracious motherland
Marching toward prosperity from today
Ode to our gracious motherland
Marching toward the prosperity from today
Over the mountains, across the plains
Cross the Yangtze and Yellow River
Tis’ the dear home of ours,
the grand and beautiful land of China
Hail the Chinese people stand up from today
We are united, affectionate, and strong as steel!

Our flags are waving in the wind
With the glorious praise of victory
Ode to our gracious motherland
Marching toward prosperity from today
Ode to our gracious motherland
Marching toward the prosperity from today
We work tirelessly, we share bravery
Splendid is our Five-thousands years history
How many challenges we have encountered
To gain today's liberation
We love peace, we love our motherland
But we pledge to tear any aggression

Our flags are waving in the wind
With the glorious praise of victory
Ode to our gracious motherland
Marching toward prosperity from today
Ode to our gracious motherland
Marching toward the prosperity from today
People's republic is thriving
As the oriental rising sun
Great leader Mao is pointing the path toward victory
Our future is bright and fruitful
We the people will enjoy her plenteousness!

Our flags are waving in the wind
With the glorious praise of victory
Ode to our gracious motherland
Marching toward prosperity from today
Ode to our gracious motherland
Marching toward the prosperity from today!

translated by Bo Shi, in order to fit the lyrics with the music, the "Five-star red banner" is translated into "Our flags" instead

See also

References
  1. "President Hu watches grand show marking 10th anniversary of HK's return". Xinhua. Archived from the original on 2011-10-01. Retrieved 2009-05-09. The song's Name in English - "Ode to the Motherland" - translated by Xinhua.
  2. "Wang Shen's Masterpiece "Ode to the Motherland"". english.cri.cn. China Media Group. 2008-08-21. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  3. 它被称为“第二国歌”——《歌唱祖国》. 中广网. 2009-04-24.
  4. "2008 Beijing Olympics Open Ceremony version". Youtube.
  5. 人民音乐家王莘与《歌唱祖国》(图). Beijing Daily. 2010-09-06.
  6. "1970 CHINA NATIONAL DAY 国庆群众游行 - YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  7. "伟大的无产阶级文革的音乐! Music of the Great Proletariat Cultural Revolution! (English Lyrics) - YouTube". www.youtube.com.
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