Gong Jin'ou
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Gong Jin'ou (鞏金甌, lit. "Cup of Solid Gold") was for a short time the national anthem of the Empire of the Great Qing in China.
Written in flowery Classical Chinese, the song was by Bo Tong, a high-ranking officer of the Imperial Guard and Yan Fu, commander of the Qing Navy. Guo Cengxin, Master of Ceremonies, made some minor adjustments and arranged the music. Gong Jin'ou was adopted by the Qing government on the 13th Day and 8th Month of the 3rd Year of the Xuantong Emperor's reign (October 4, 1911). However, only six days later was the Wuchang Uprising, which effectively led to the end of the Qing Dynasty, with the declaration of the Republic of China on January 1, 1912 and the abdication of the emperor on February 12, 1912. As a result, the anthem never gained any notoriety.
Chinese lyrics
- 鞏金甌，
- 承天幬，
- 民物欣鳧藻，
- 喜同胞，
- 淸時幸遭。
- 眞熈皞，
- 帝國蒼穹保。
- 天高高，
- 海滔滔。
Hanyu Pinyin
- Gong jin'ou,
- Cheng Tiandao,
- Minwu xin fuzao,
- Xi tongbao,
- Qing shi xingzao.
- Zhen xi hao,
- Diguo cangqiong bao.
- Tian gaogao,
- Hai taotao.
English translation
- Solidify our golden empire,
- Underneath the aegis of heaven,
- All of civilization will cease to toil,
- United in happiness and mirth,
- As long as the Qing rules.
- Our empire is emblazoned by light,
- And our boundaries are vast and preserved.
- The expanse streches infinitely,
- The sea brims with turbulence.
See also: Historical Chinese anthems