Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Songs of 1989: Blood Colored Glory

Blood Colored Glory is a patriotic song written in 1987 and dedicated the martyrs of the Sino-Vietnam border war. Its lyrics and music glorifies the utmost sacrifice of individuals for the nation in the typical style of China at the time. It became a very popular song.

During the 1989 student movement, the glory-through-sacrifice theme struck a chord with the students, particularly after the launch of hunger strike. The song was frequently played and sung at Tiananmen Square during that period.

The theme of sacrifice took a brand new meaning after the bloody massacre. While dissents were silenced in China, artists in Hong Kong and Taiwan, who usually despised such communist propaganda work, took up this very song and performed it in honor of the victims.

In a way, Blood Colored Glory became the anthem of the 1989 student movement.

One version of the performance, superimposed with images of the movement (Warning: there are a few scenes near the end that could be disturbing.) could be seen here.

Perhaps I say goodbye, and will never return again,
Would you understand? Would you comprehend?
Perhaps I fall down, and will never get up again,
Would you still wait forever?
If it should be so, don't you feel sad,
On the flag of the republic is the glory colored by our blood.

Perhaps my eyes will never open again. Would you understand my silent emotion?
Perhaps I sleep and will never wake up again. Would you believe that I have turned into mountain?
If it should be so, don't you feel sad,
In the soil of the republic there is the love from our sacrifice.
If it should be so, don't you feel sad,
On the flag of the republic is the glory colored by our blood.

也许我告别,将不再回来,你是否理解?你是否明白?
也许我倒下,将不再起来,你是否还要永久的期待?
如果是这样,你不要悲哀,共和国的旗帜上有我们血染的风采。
如果是这样,你不要悲哀,共和国的旗帜上有我们血染的风采。

也许我的眼睛再不能睁开,你是否理解我沉默的情怀?
也许我长眠将不能醒来,你是否相信我化做了山脉?
如果是这样,你不要悲哀,共和国的土壤里有我们付出的爱。
如果是这样,你不要悲哀,共和国的土壤里有我们付出的爱。
如果是这样,你不要悲哀,共和国的旗帜上有我们血染的风采

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Eddie, 你是个爷们!