My Motherland

"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 Shangganling (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,^[1] and the signature song for the famous operatic soprano Guo Lanying.

Original sound track.

"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.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[original research?]}

The music for solo part has folk song style similar to those in northern China.

Lyrics

Traditional Chinese	Simplified Chinese ^[2]	Pinyin	English translation
1. :（獨）一條大河波浪寬風吹稻花香兩岸我家就在岸上住聽慣了艄公的號子看慣了船上的白帆 :（合）這是美麗的祖國是我生長的地方在這片遼闊的土地上到處都有明媚的風光 2. :（獨）姑娘好像花一樣小伙心胸多寬廣為了開闢新天地喚醒了沉睡的高山讓那河流改變了模樣 :（合）這是英雄的祖國是我生長的地方在這片古老的土地上到處都有青春的力量 3. :（獨）好山好水好地方條條大路都寬暢朋友來了有好酒若是那豺狼來了迎接它的有獵槍 :（合）這是強大的祖國是我生長的地方在這片溫暖的土地上到處都有和平的陽光	1. :（独）一条大河波浪宽风吹稻花香两岸我家就在岸上住听惯了艄公的号子看惯了船上的白帆 :（合）这是美丽的祖国是我生长的地方在这片辽阔的土地上到处都有明媚的风光 2. :（独）姑娘好像花一样小伙心胸多宽广为了开辟新天地唤醒了沉睡的高山让那河流改变了模样 :（合）这是英雄的祖国是我生长的地方在这片古老的土地上到处都有青春的力量 3. :（独）好山好水好地方条条大路都宽畅朋友来了有好酒若是那豺狼来了迎接它的有猎枪 :（合）这是强大的祖国是我生长的地方在这片温暖的土地上到处都有和平的阳光	1. Yītiáo dàhé bōlàng kuān Fēngchuī dào huāxiāng liǎng'àn Wǒjiā jiù zài ànshàng zhù Tīng guànle shāogōng de hào zi Kàn guànle chuánshàng de báifān (Hé) Zhè shì měilì de zǔguó Shì wǒ shēngzhǎng dì dìfāng Zài zhè piàn liáokuò de tǔdì shàng Dàochù dōu yǒu míngmèi de fēngguāng 2. (Dú) Gūniang hǎoxiàng huā yīyàng Xiǎohuǒ xīnxiōng duō kuānguǎng Wèile kāipì xīntiāndì Huànxǐngle chénshuì de gāoshān Ràng nà héliú gǎibiànle múyàng (Hé) Zhè shì yīngxióng de zǔguó Shì wǒ shēngzhǎng dì dìfāng Zài zhè piàn gǔlǎo de tǔdì shàng Dàochù dōu yǒu qīngchūn de lìliàng 3. (Dú) Hǎo shān hǎo shuǐ hǎo dìfāng Tiáo tiáo dàlù dōu kuānchàng Péngyǒu láile yǒu hào jiǔ Ruòshì nà cháiláng láile Yíngjiē tā de yǒu lièqiāng (Hé) Zhè shì qiángdà de zǔguó Shì wǒ shēngzhǎng dì dìfāng Zài zhè piàn wēnnuǎn de tǔdì shàng Dàochù dōu yǒu hépíng de yángguāng	1. Solo A great river flows, its waves wide Wind blows the scent of flowers to both shores My family lives on the shore I am used to hearing the punters' call And seeing the white sails on the boats Chorus This is the beautiful Motherland This is the place where I grew up On this expansive stretch of land Everywhere there is wonderful scenery to behold 2. Solo How flower-like are the young ladies How big and brave are the hearts of the young men In order to usher in a new era They've woken the sleeping mountains And changed the shape of the river Chorus This is the heroic Motherland This is the place where I grew up On this stretch of ancient land There is youthful vigor everywhere 3. Solo Great mountains, great rivers, a great land Every road is broad and wide If friends come, there is fine wine But if the dholes and wolves come^[3]^[4] They shall be greeted with hunting guns^[3]^[4] Chorus This is the mighty Motherland This is the place where I grew up On this stretch of warm and friendly land There is peaceful sunshine everywhere

v t e Chinese patriotic songs
Qing dynasty	Pu Tian Yue Tune of Li Zhongtang Praise the Dragon Flag Cup of Solid Gold Training Soldier Song Anthem of the Beiyang Fleet
Beiyang government 1912–1928 and Nationalist government 1925–1949	How Great is Our China! China Heroically Stands in the Universe Song of Five Races Under One Union Song to the Auspicious Cloud March of the Volunteers National Anthem of the Republic of China National Flag Anthem of the Republic of China 800 Heroes Song The Sword March Along the Songhua River The Great Wall Ballad Guerrillas' Song In the Taihang Mountains [zh] Marshal Training Soldier Song Song of the National Revolution Gong Xi Gong Xi
Chinese Soviet Republic 1931–1937 and People's Republic of China since 1949	March of the Volunteers Workers, Peasants and Soldiers, Unite [zh] The East is Red The Internationale Military Anthem of the Eighth Route Army Nanniwan Ode to the Motherland Song of the Military and Political University of Resistance Against Japan Three Rules and Eight Notices Unity Is Strength Osmanthus Flowers Blooming Everywhere in August The Sky Above the Liberated Zone When Motherland Calls Upon Us Yellow River Cantata To the Rear of the Enemy I Love Beijing Tiananmen March of the People's Liberation Army I Love the Motherland's Blue Skies My Motherland Long Live Comrade Mao for Ten Thousand Years Red Star Shines Socialism is Good I Am a Soldier [zh] Learn from Comrade Lei Feng Sailing the Seas Depends on the Helmsman Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China My Chinese Heart My People, My Country Bloodstained Glory Loyalty to the Country Story of Spring When That Day Comes Towards Revival I Love You, China On the Great Road
Republic of China (on Taiwan) since 1945	National Anthem of the Republic of China National Flag Anthem of the Republic of China Ode to the Republic of China The Plum Blossom 800 Heroes Song Night Raid Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Song Chiang Ching-kuo Memorial Song Go and Reclaim the Mainland Taiwan Is Good The Anti-Communist and Anti-Russian Aggression Song

Lyrics

Controversy about Lang Lang playing "My Motherland" at state dinner

References

External links

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