Which anthem do you think sounds more beautiful?

In my honest opinion, I think San Min Zhu Yi sounds more grand, sweeping, and sentimental. March of the Volunteers sounds too rough and abrupt, and resembles more like a child trumpet song.

The words of San Min Zhu Yi were spoken by Dr Sun Yat-sen to cadets at the opening ceremony of the Whampoa academy.

March of the Volunteers is neutral by itself and stirs my Chinese soul.

March of the Volunteers is a powerful song for a powerful country. San Min Zu Yi is elegant, and speaks for itself.

I like March of the Volunteers because the song itself has a lot of meaning. Unite and repel foreign Aggression and Invasion, and rebuild China.

I still get emotional when a Chinese athlete wins an Olympic medal and the China national anthem is played.

Both are pretty bad.

I have to say... the best anthems I've heard are "O Canada" and "Lupang Hinirang"

Oh man, I love Lupang Hinirang.... It's so cheerful.

(for those who doesn't know... Lupang Hinirang is the anthem of the Islands of Philippines)

March of The Volunteers to me is very inspirational. Its like a call to arms for the Chinese people.

I like James Wong's remake of "General's Order", "Man Should Self-Strengthen" otherwise known as the Wong Fei Hung theme song.

I like March of the Volunteers, but I think it would sound much better if it were slowed down to make it more stately. Like The Star-spangled Banner, it was written in a time of war to rally a demoralised people. Thus although one can no longer say that "the Chinese people have come to their time of greatest danger", it does have a certain timeless resonance about the role of crisis in the shaping of a national identity.

I like March of the Volunteers too. forceful and emotional. the russian
anthem is pretty cool too, sounds very grand. me like. singapore's majulah ok lah, but i think its more schoolboy nolstagia than anything. the american one starts out quite well.

the oz anthem on the other hand...ermmm

O Canada would be second overall. Chinese national anthem is always da best.

The 4 best anthems (For simply sound) in no particular order.

1. Romania's
2. Mongolia's
3. Israel's
4. Turkey's

China's Anthem
United State's Anthem
United Kingdom's Anthem
French Anthem

Greatest anthems in the world in descending order:

1) Ukraine HANDS DOWN
2) Soviet Union
3) Hungary
4) Israel
5) Qing Empire (Gong Jinou)
6) L'internationale
7) France les Marseillais
8) Deutschland Uber Alles
9) Kim Il Sung Janggu e Norae (not a national anthem, but a toe tapping piece). It's better than L'internationale but since it's not a national anthem, I put it here
10) If Taiwan were a nation, it's anthem would better be a folk song. I nominate the folke tune "Su Siang Khi" (I recall)


I was gonna say Turkey but NAH, the "Istiklal Marsi" doesn't sound Turkish, but SLAVIC. The Turks could do way better.

I bet none of you has heard "Qing Tian Bai Ri Man Di Hong" ?

Although I am from Taiwan, I find PRC's national anthem more pleasing. While 三民主義 San Min Zhu Yi does sound a tad more "grand" but overall it feels too "flat" and almost a little depressing...

San Min Zhu Yi was more like a party song than a national anthem. 吾黨所宗 explains a lot. Since ROC is a multi-party democracy, this song is somewhat inappropriate. The REAL anthem of the ROC is (de facto) and should be Qing Tian Bai Ri Man Di Hong 青天白日滿地紅.

http://freeman2.net/voh_a125.mp3

山川壯麗，物產豐隆，
炎黃世冑，東亞稱雄。
毋自暴自棄，毋故步自封，
光我民族，促進大同。
創業維艱，緬懷諸先烈，
守成不易，莫徒務近功。
同心同德，貫徹始終，青天白日滿地紅。
同心同德，貫徹始終，青天白日滿地紅。


PRC's anthem, March of Volunteers, was made for low class proletarians who couldn't understand higher literature. It is EXTREMELY inappropriate for a civilized, cultured country like China.

The best national anthem I've heard is the one of Qing dynasty, Gong Jin Ou 鞏金甌

http://soviet.lovehinaplus.com/CHING.RA

鞏 金 甌 ， 承 天 幬 ， 民 物 欣 鳧 藻 ， 喜 同 袍 ， 清 時 幸 遭 。 真 熙 皞 ， 帝 國 蒼 穹 保 ， 天 高 高 ， 海 滔 滔 。

Of course, as long as we alter its lyrics slightly, it can perfectly fit in the modern context

鞏 金 甌 ， 承 天 幬 ， 民 物 欣 鳧 藻 ， 喜 同 袍 ， 中 華 幸 遭 。 真 熙 皞 ， 民 國 蒼 穹 保 ， 天 高 高 ， 海 滔 滔 。

I don't think either of them sound beautiful. Qing Tian Bai Ri Man Di Hong sounds better.

When was Gong Jin Ou first used as the Qing anthem?

Was Nie Er, the composer of March of the Volunteers, a Communist?

Gong Jin-Ou was Qing Shengzong Kangxi's ceremonial piece, played while he ascenended to the throne.

Before expeditions, Kangxi also had Ren Ping-zhang (Appointing my Leutenants) sung by his troops.

To commemorate victories in conquests, Kangxi composed a grand symphony Sheng-Wu Ya (Ode to His Divine Martialness)

Perhaps from then on, Gong Jin-Ou was played during enthronements and as a symbol of the Emperors' presence.

It was only adopted as a "national anthem" as late as the Beijing Self-Strengthening period.


I think the melody of Gong Jin-Ou is distinctively Manchu, as opposed to Han Chinese.

　　金殿当头紫阁重，
　　仙人掌上玉芙蓉，
　　太平天子朝天日，
　　五色云车驾六龙。

Hmm, did they use the word 帝國 back in the 17th century?

　　东亚开化中华早
　　揖美追欧旧邦新造
　　飘扬五色旗国荣光
　　锦秀山河普照
　　我同胞鼓舞文明
　　世界和平永保。

中國雄立宇宙間，
廓八埏，
華冑來從崑崙巔，
江湖浩蕩山綿連，
共和五族開堯天，
億萬年。


中华雄立宇宙间，
廓八埏。
华胄从来昆仑巅，
江湖浩荡山绵连。
勋华捐让开尧天，
亿万年。

卿云烂兮，
纠缦缦兮。
日月光华，
旦复旦兮。
日月光华，
旦复旦兮。
時哉夫，天下非一人之天下也。

打倒列强，
打倒列强！
除军阀，
除军阀！
国民革命成功，
国民革命成功！
齐欢唱，
齐欢唱！

All I know is he was assasinated in Japan by Japanese right-wingers after composing the song.

前进！各民族英雄的人们！
伟大的共产党，领导我们继续长征！
万众一心，奔向共产主义明天，
建设祖国保卫祖国英勇的斗争！
前进！前进！前进！
我们千秋万代，
高举毛泽东旗帜前进！
高举毛泽东旗帜前进！
前进！前进！进！

颂龙旗

於斯萬年，
亞東大帝國！
山嶽縱橫獨立幟，
江河漫延文明波；
四百兆民神明冑，
地大物產博。
揚我黃龍帝國徽，
唱我帝國歌！

《希望曲》

---- 纳夫塔里·赫尔茨·伊姆贝尔

只要在我们的胸怀里
还藏着犹太人的心灵，
那面向着东方的眼睛，
还向着锡安山的方向看着犹太，

两千年的希望从未失去，
我们将成为自由的人民，
自由生活在我们的土地
这是锡安山和耶路撒冷的土地。

自由生活在我们的土地，
这是锡安山和耶路撒冷的土地。

Hello guys ! I am new in this forum ! I been trying for ages looking for sites to download " March of the Volunteers " , could anyone of your chap help me out ! post me any links , mp3 ,etc .... ! DU CHE ![font=Arial Black][size=2]

How unfair! "Waltzing Matilda" is a loooovely song for those who want to advance Australia

A link to the March of the volunteers:National anthem

If you click on the official PLA site, you'll find more songs, with several versions. The layout of the site is horrible though.

We Should have a contest on writing a poem or lyric on China.

Hu?-89 thanks for the mp3 link ! I will check the PLA site is well !

March of the volunteers seems to be a more masculinity song

This is fascinating. I never knew that the Qing dyanasty had an anthem.

Does anyone know where I can download Ren Ping-zhang and Sheng-Wu Ya?

I don't know very much about Chinese music, but what makes Gong Jin-Ou sound Manchu?

Thanks.

Manuscript of the speech at the opening ceremony of the Whampoa (Huangpu) Military Academy, handwriting by Dr. Sun Yat-sen

The lyrics of the National Anthem of the Republic of China:

三民主義，吾黨所宗，
以建民國，以進大同。
咨爾多士，為民前鋒；
夙夜匪懈，主義是從。
矢勤矢勇，必信必忠；
一心一德，貫徹始終。

I think the lyrics is very beautiful and inspirational, the language and concepts used are classical Chinese, (it is a form of "four-character rhymed prose (四言韻文)", which first formally appeared in the Han Dynasty, but proto versions of it can be found in the most ancient Chinese texts, such as the Shi Jing (The Book of Songs) which is first written in the Western Zhou Dynasty nearly 3000 years ago) yet it also embodies modern, progressive thinking. It demonstrates that modern thinking can be embodied and conveyed by the classical Chinese language, the classical Chinese language is not just a language of the past, but can act as a language of the future too.

Poetic Translation:

San Min Chu-i,
Our aim shall be:
To found, a free land,
World peace, be our stand.
Lead on, comrades,
Vanguards ye are.
Hold fast your aim,
By sun and star.
Be earnest and brave,
Your country to save,
One heart, one soul,
One mind, one goal!

Literal Translation:

The Three Principles of the People,
Is the fundamental basis of our party.
Using this, we shall establish the Country for the People;
Using this, we shall advance into a state of Utopia.
Oh, you, scholar-warriors,
Be the vanguard for the People.
Without resting day or night,
Follow the Principles.
Swear to be diligent; swear to be courageous.
Obliged to be faithful; obliged to be loyal.
With one heart and one virtue,
We shall carry through until the very end!

Listen to the Anthem in MIDI format

As I listen to this Anthem, I remember what Dr. Sun Yat-sen said, nearly a hundred years ago:

人类进化之目的为何？即孔子所谓 "大道之行也，天下为公", 耶稣所谓 "尔旨得成，在地若天", 此人类所希望, 化现在痛苦世界而为极乐之天堂是也。

What is the purpose of human evolution? It is what Confucius said: "When the Great Dao prevails, all under heaven will belong to everyone", and what Jesus said: "Your Will shall be done, on earth as it is in Heaven", this is what humanity hopes, to change all the suffering in the present world and arrive in the Heaven of ultimate joy.

The Great Dao will prevail!

Do you think if one day mainland China and Taiwan ever gets united (hopefully peacefully), we should have this Anthem as our Official National Anthem again, instead of the March of the Volunteers? There are certainly many factors in its favor:

1. Artistically speaking this song has more value. It is written in Classical Chinese, in the form of ancient poetry, yet it also embodies modern progressive values. This anthem links modern China with its deep ancient literary heritage. It would be a great National Anthem for Modern China - a nation with more than 4000 years of long history and a rich historical tradition and heritage, but at the same time is also modern and forward-looking. The March of the Volunteers, on the other hand, is written in the vernacular, and lacks the literary depth of this Anthem.

2. Philosophically this Anthem is also deeper. Unlike the March of the Volunteers, it does not just call for the "reconstruction of the Great Wall", which sounds very nationalistic. (Also slightly xenophobic as well - symbolically the Great Wall is a barrier between China and the rest of the world) It does emphasise constructing our nation, but it also contains universal values - e.g. "advancing into Utopia". (It is therefore in agreement with our current hopes, which is not to construct a strong, powerful and prosperous China that is xenophobic, aggressive and cut off from the rest of the world, but a strong, powerful and prosperous China that is also open, confident and peaceful - a Sina Universalis) What's more, it contains many concepts from our Confucian tradition - e.g. "loyalty", "virtue", "Da-tong" etc. So as with the artistic aspects it clearly demonstrates a strong link with our ancient philosophical heritage. But again like of artistic aspects of this Anthem, it is also progressive and forward-looking. (E.g. the sense of "advancing/progressing" and "being Peoples' vanguards") It would be ideal for a China that is both ancient and modern.

However, since I grew up in mainland China, I must say I do have some emotional attachment to the March of the Volunteers, so it is not an easy decision.

"When was Gong Jin Ou first used as the Qing anthem?"



october 4th, 1911
6 days before the Revolution broke out




It doesn't. The rough translation means:

Protect the borders, let heaven give its protection, the people are all cheerful and prosperous during the time of Great Qing. This is truly hapiness and peace, let heaven bless the empire, so the sky will remain high and the sea will not empty.

I wonder if someone has the English words for "March of the Volunteers"? .. I like to read it.

There are actually two versions of the March of the Volunteers. One was used between 1949 to 1978, then it was replaced by the second version from 1978 to 1982. I guess after Deng took power, the national anthem was changed back to the original version and used until today.

The Original and Current version:

起來！不願做奴隸的人們！
把我們的血肉，築成我們新的長城！
中華民族到了最危險的時候，
每個人被迫著發出最後的吼聲。
起來！起來！起來！
我們萬眾一心，
冒著敵人的炮火，前進！
冒著敵人的炮火，前進！
前進！前進！進！

Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves!
With our flesh and blood, let us build our new Great Wall!
The Chinese nationality has come to its time of greatest peril,
Each person must send out a final roar.
Arise! Arise! Arise!
Our great masses are of one heart,
Braving the enemy's gunfire, march on!
Braving the enemy's gunfire, march on!
March on! March on! On!


The abandoned version:

前進！各民族英雄的人民！
偉大的共產黨領導我們繼續長征。
萬眾一心奔向共產主義明天，
建設祖國保衛祖國英勇的鬥爭。
前進！前進！前進！
我們千秋萬代
高舉毛澤東旗幟，前進！
高舉毛澤東旗幟，前進！
前進！前進！進！

March on! People of all heroic ethenicities!
Let us continue the Long March under the great Party's guidance,
Millions with but one heart toward a communist tomorrow,
Develop and protect the country, fight bravely.
March on, march on, march on!
We will for generations,
Raise high Mao Zedong's banner, march on!
Raise high Mao Zedong's banner, march on!
March on! March on! On!

Just to add that during the Cultural Revolution, the author to the lyrics of March of the Valunteers was considered politically questionable (meaning he was killed during the cultural revolution), therefore the song 東方紅 East is Red became the unofficial national anthem.

東方紅，太陽升，中國出了個毛澤東。
他為人民謀幸福，呼兒咳呀， 他是人民的大救星。
毛主席，愛人民，他是我們的帶路人。
為了建設新中國，呼兒咳呀， 領導我們向前進。
共產黨，像太陽，照到哪裡哪裡亮。
哪裡有了共產黨，呼兒咳呀， 哪裡人民得解放。

Red is the east, rises the sun.
China has brought forth a Mao Zedong.
He works for the people's happiness,
Hu er hei yo, he's the people's liberator!
Chairman Mao loves the people,
He is our guide,
To build a new China,
Hu er hei yo, he leads us march on!
The Communist Party is like the sun,
It brightens wherever it shines upon.
Wherever the Communist Party goes,
Hu er hei yo, there the people are liberated!

Yeah, I didn't think it sounded particularly Manchu. The music itself I thought was representative of the music that would be played in court ceremonies with the gongs.

Thanks for the translation. I'd seen others on the web and didn't quite know what to make of the line about the sky and the tumultuous seas.

Now, if only I could find downloads of Ren Ping-zhang and Sheng-Wu Ya...

naruwan. ... Thanks a lot for the cool song. ... You are so cool!

Yet, the background information naruwan gave in that post is incorrect. The March of the Volunteers never changed its lyric, after the Cultural Revolution ended there were several different versions proposed because certain people's representives oppose the part with "中華民族到了最危險的時候" now that PRC has been esablished for some 30 years. However during the '78 National People's Congress it was decided that the national anthem's lric should be kept the same to remind future generations of the trumoil China experienced before the establishment of the PRC. So the same lyric is used from '49 to present.

And during the Cultural Revolution, there were flag raising ceremonies, and the anthem played there was the March of the Volunteers instead of East is Red. So that shots down naruwan's theory about change in National Anthem during that period.

I never said it changed. I said it became the unofficial anthem, after the lyrics writter of March of the Volunteers was said to be against the communist revolution.

After that the lyrics did change. In fact, I failed to mention there is yet another version after at the beginning of the PRC. Where people didn't like 中華民族到了最危險的時候 and changed it to 中華民族到了大翻身的時候 or similar line. But Zhou EnLai spoke to keep 中華民族到了最危險的時候 so the original was kept.

The lyrics was change to the second version because since the lyrics was the issue, they simply replaced it.

By the way, it doesn't really matter to me whether it changed or not. But it obviously seems like a nationalistic pride thing for you.

It is obvious to me that you keep spreading incorrect historical information about China to get some personal political satisfication. The unofficial anthem from 1949 to 1978 is the March of the Volunteers, it became the legitimized anthem after 1978 National People's Congress officialized it. Its lyric, when played in official setting, never changed from its adoption by the PRC till today. Now, what is your source on this supposed change of lyrics? I hope it is not Epoch times?

Honestly, I made a mistake. I was to have chosen March of the Volunteers/义勇军进行曲, however, I clicked "neither"!

---------------------------------------------
The lyric I found
From: http://www.415400.com/bbs/printpage.asp?BoardID=18&ID=1394
It is said that in about 1940s the song was sung by Paul Robeson.

Arise! You who refuse to be bound slaves!
Let's stand up and fight for
Liberty and true democracy!
All the world is facing
The change of tyranny
Everyone who wants freedom is now crying:
Arise! Arise! Arise!
All of us in one heart,
With the torch of freedom,
March on!
With the torch of freedom,
March on and on!

Best personal should-be-anthem to me is "Rule Brittania", only because I like the Brit sense of irony and I think pretty much anything can be made a joke.

A scene of psyched up Britons singing Rule Brittania in unison in a stadium while they disagree with one another just about EVERYTHING is endearingly humorous. Don't believe me? Start a discussion on who is the best band of which period or which football club is most supportable.

"Rule, Brittania, Brittania rule the waves
Britons never never never shall be slaves".