"Ode to the Motherland" is a famous patriotic song of the People's Republic of China, written and music composed by Wang Shen during the period immediately after the founding of the People's Republic of China. It is sometimes honoured as "the second national anthem" of the PRC. The song was performed in the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics. It is the opening music of the radio programsNews and newspapers Summary and National Network News on China National Radio. 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.
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.
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.
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 peoplestand 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
