Historical Chinese anthems
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zh: 中国国歌 A number of Chinese official and unofficial national anthems were made around the early 20th century, only two remain in use: the "Three Principles of the People" (Republic of China (Taiwan)) and the People's Republic of China's national anthem ("The March of the Volunteers"). The article below lists the other, lesser-known anthems, both official and unofficial.
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"The Tone of Li Zhongtang"
Quasi-official
For purposes of diplomatic missions to Western Europe and Russia, Li Hongzhang (courtesy name Zhongtang) employed in 1896 political lyrics combined with classical Chinese music -- later known as "The Tone of Li Zhongtang" (李中堂樂).
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金殿當頭紫閣重， |
With a golden palace as his head, he is as heavy as the purple tower. |
"Praise the Dragon Flag"
Quasi-official
After the Department of Army was established in 1906, it became the army song, and had been played at formal occasions overseas.
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於斯萬年， |
Here for ten thousand years, |
¹兆 formerly referred to one million; in modern usage it refers to one trillion.
"The Cup of Solid Gold"
Official. Main article: Gong Jin'ou
The first and only official national anthem of the Qing Empire lived less than a month when the Wuchang Uprising occurred in 1911. It is in very flowery Classical Chinese. However, the Republic of China denies that "The Cup of Solid Gold" was ever a national anthem.
1912 Draft
Provisional
After the establishment of the provisional government in Nanjing, the Ministry of Education under Cai Yuanpei asked the public for possible anthem (as well as coat of arm), and the one whose lyrics was written by Chen Enyun (沈恩孕) and music by Chen Pengnian (沈彭年) was released as a draft in the newspaper.
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亞東開化中國早， |
East Asia is thriving, and China is the earliest. |
"How Great is Our China!"
Unofficial
Also called "Patrotic Song" (愛國歌), "How Great is Our China!" (泱泱哉，我中華！) has lyrics written by Liang Qichao and music by overseas Chinese in Datong School (大同學校), Yokohama. Released in 1912, it was widespread especially among by students.
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泱泱哉，我中華！ |
How great is our China! |
"China Heroically Stands in Universe"
Official, regional
After Yuan Shikai overtook China, his Ritual Regulations Office (禮制館) issued the new official anthem "China Heroically Stands in Universe" (中國雄立宇宙間) on June 1915. Its lyrics was written by Yin Chang (廕昌) and music by Wang Lu (王露).
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中國雄立宇宙間﹐ |
China heroically stands in Universe, |
"The Song to the Auspicious Cloud"
Official
In November 1919, Tuan Chi-jui (later a Beiyang warlord) established the National Anthem Research Committee (國歌研究會), which adopted:
- The lyrics (1920) by Zhang Taiyan (章太炎) from the classic "The Song to the Auspicious Cloud" (卿雲歌) from Shang Shu
- The music (1921) by a Beijinger professor, Xiao Youmei (蕭友梅).
The anthem was released in July 1921 by National Affairs Yuan (國務院).
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卿雲爛兮﹑ |
How bright is the Auspicious Cloud! |
¹糺 (jīu "collaborate") is sometimes written as 糾 (jìu "investigate") or 纖 (zhī "to web")
The "Revolution of the Citizens" Song
Provisional
Written by officers of the Whampoa Military Academy, The "Revolution of the Citizens" Song (國民革命歌 Guomin Gemin Ge) was released on July 1, 1926.
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打倒列強，打倒列強， |
Triumph over the Powers, × 2 |