Under the direction of Naryoung Annette Kim, the choir sings a traditional and well known Korean folk song, Arirang. Etymology: Many versions of the song open by describing the travails the subject of the song encounters while crossing a mountain pass. "Arirang" is one name for the pass and hence the title of the song. Some versions of "Arirang" mention Mungyeong Saejae, which is the main mountain pass on the ancient Joseon Dynasty road between Seoul and southeastern Gyeongsang Province. There are apparently a number of passes in Korea called "Arirang Pass". One such is a pass among some hills in central-northeastern Seoul. That Arirang Pass, however, was originally called Jeongneung Pass and was only renamed in 1926, to commemorate the release of the film Arirang.[5] Older versions of the song long predate the movie. Arirang Pass (아리랑 고개) is an imaginary rendezvous of lovers in the land of dreams, although there is a real mountain pass, called, "Arirang Gogae," outside the Small East Gate of Seoul. The heroine of the story from which the Arirang Song originated was a fair maid of Miryang. In fact, she was a modest woman killed by an unrequited lover. But as time went on, the tragic story changed to that of an unrequited lady-love who complained of her unfeeling lover. The tune is sweet and appealing. The story is recounted in "Miss Arirang" in Folk Tales of Old Korea (Korean Cultural Series, Vol. VI). English Translation: If you leave and forsake me, my own, Ere three miles you go, lame you'll have grown. Wondrous time, happy time—let us delay; Till night is over, go not away. Arirang Mount is my Tear-Falling Hill, So seeking my love, I cannot stay still. The brightest of stars stud the sky so blue; Deep in my bosom burns bitterest rue. Man's heart is like water streaming downhill; Woman's heart is well water—so deep and still. Young men's love is like pinecones seeming sound, But when the wind blows, they fall to the ground. Birds in the morning sing simply to eat; Birds in the evening sing for love sweet. When man has attained to the age of a score, The mind of a woman should be his love. The trees and the flowers will bloom for aye, But the glories of youth will soon fade away.

• published: 07 Nov 2013
• views: 4