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"My Motherland" (simplified Chinese: 我的祖国; traditional Chinese: 我的祖國; pinyin: Wǒde Zǔguó) is a song written for the Chinese movie Battle on Shangganling Mountain (1956). Lyrics were written by Qiao Yu (乔羽). Music was composed by Liu Chi (刘炽). Both of them are well known for a number of songs since the 1950s. It remains a popular and famous patriotic song in mainland China, and the signature song for the famous operatic soprano Guo Lanying.
Lyrics and music
"My Motherland" was initially called "A Big River" (《一條大河》) by the author, in order to represent the hundreds of rivers that flow in China. The title was changed when it was published with the movie. The song is divided into 3 stanzas. Within each stanza, the soloist sings first before the chorus sings its refrain.
Although the song was written for a movie about Korean War in the 1950s, there is no explicit mention of the war at all. It describes a soldier (or anyone who is away from home) thinking about his home and his family.
The music for solo part has folk song style similar to those in northern China.
Lyrics
| Traditional Chinese | Simplified Chinese | Pinyin | English translation |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1.
一條大河波浪寬
這是美麗的祖國
姑娘好像花一樣
這是英雄的祖國
好山好水好地方
這是強大的祖國 |
1.
一条大河波浪宽
这是美丽的祖国
姑娘好像花一样
这是英雄的祖国
好山好水好地方
这是强大的祖国 |
1. (Hé) Zhè shì měilì de zǔguó 2. (Dú) (Hé) Dàochù dōu yǒu qīngchūn de lìliàng 3. (Dú) Tiáo tiáo dàlù dōu kuānchàng Péngyǒu láile yǒu hào jiǔ Ruòshì nà cháiláng láile Yíngjiē tā de yǒu (Hé) |
1.
A great river flows, its waves wide
This is the beautiful Motherland
How flower-like are the young ladies
This is the heroic Motherland
Great mountains, great rivers, a great land
This is the mighty Motherland |
Controversy about Lang Lang playing "My Motherland" at state dinner
On January 19, 2011, Lang Lang played "My Motherland" as President Barack Obama welcomed Hu Jintao at a White House state dinner (many famous Chinese celebrities, including Jackie Chan and Yo-Yo Ma attended, as well as some others.)
On Lang Lang's blog, he put pictures that performed at the White House and wrote that "I soloed 'My Motherland' which in the mind of the Chinese people is one of the most beautiful songs. Being able to play this song in front of many foreign guests, including the heads of state from around the world, that praises China, and seemingly serenading a strong China and its people in solidarity, I am deeply honored and proud. I would like to share that day in the White House."
References
- "《我的祖国》诞生记--浙江在线-人文频道". www.zjol.com.cn. Archived from the original on 2011-05-19.
- "革命歌曲《我的祖国》歌词歌谱.jpg". Sina (in Chinese). Sina iAsk. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
- ^ Zhang, Hong (2002), The Making of Urban Chinese Images of the United States, 1945-1953, Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, p. 161, ISBN 0-313-31001-7
- ^ West, Philip; Levine, Steven I.; Hiltz, Jackie (1998), America's Wars in Asia: a Cultural Approach to History and Memory, Armonk, New York: M.E. Sharpe, p. 193, ISBN 0-7656-0237-7
- 郎朗20日在個人部落格也寫說，「而後我又獨自演奏了我們中國人心目中『最美的歌』之一的《我的祖國》。能夠在眾多外賓，尤其是在來自『五湖四海』的元首們面前演奏這首讚美中國的樂曲，仿佛是在向他們訴說我們中國的強大，我們中國人的團結，我感到深深的榮幸和自豪。和大家分享在白宮的一天。」
- Pres. Obama Hears Anti-American Song.
- "Chinese Tiger ate US Dove for lunch". New York Post. 2011-01-21. Archived from the original on 2023-04-09.
- 华盛顿当地时间1月19日，奥巴马在白宫举行晚宴欢迎胡锦涛，成龙、邓文迪、华裔冰后关颖珊、大提琴家马友友、华裔设计师Vera Wang、华裔演员黄荣亮和母亲等众多华人知名人士出席。
- Commentators from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal soon questioned Lang's music choice after the state dinner. Michael Wines from the New York Times described the situation as "regrettable," while Cathy Yan from the Wall Street Journal commented that Lang was "blissfully unaware of the political minefield he was stumbling into". In an interview broadcast on Phoenix TV, Lang Lang was quoted saying "I thought to play 'My Motherland' because I think playing the tune at the White House banquet can help us, as Chinese people, feel extremely proud of ourselves and express our feelings through the song."
- Hu Jintao's state visit to Washington - as it happened
- "Obamas Host China's President Hu at Glitzy White House State Dinner". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
- Chinese Pianist Plays Anti-American Song at White House Dinner