Song of the Yellow Bird

Song of the Yellow Bird (Korean: 황조가; Hanja: 黃鳥歌, Hwangjoga) is the oldest known Korean song[1] and was written by Yuri of Goguryeo in 17 B.C. It was written lamenting the loss of one of his wives who left his household following a quarrel with another of his wives. While Yuri of Goguryeo was away hunting, his second wife Chihui, who was Han Chinese, was scolded by his first wife Hwa hui, saying “How can you be so rude even though you are only a Han Chinese housemaid?"[2] Chihui left the household, never to return. Missing her greatly Yuri of Goguryeo wrote this song.[3]

Song of the Yellow Bird
AuthorYuri of Goguryeo
Original title황조가
CountryKorea
LanguageClassical Chinese
Publication date
17 BC

A Chinese translation of Song of the Yellow Bird is recorded in the Samguk Sagi.

Song Structure

One day, Yuri of Goguryeo saw a couple of yellow birds (Oriolus chinensis), and wrote the Song of the Yellow Bird.[4]

翩翩黃鳥，
雌雄相依。
念我之獨，
誰其與歸?

Orioles fly smoothly
Female and male cuddle close together
Thinking of my loneliness
Whom shall I go with?

References
  1. Doosan Encyclopedia 치희 雉姬. Doosan Encyclopedia.
  2. 河村啓介 (2012-04-28). 韓国時代劇秘話 王朝を揺るがす男と女の物語. Gakken. p. 17. ISBN 978-4054053212.
  3. Academy of Korean Studies 치희 雉姬. Academy of Korean Studies.
  4. 河村啓介 (2012-04-28). 韓国時代劇秘話 王朝を揺るがす男と女の物語. Gakken. p. 20. ISBN 978-4054053212.
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