North Korea Anthem

• published: 02 Aug 2015
• views: 3

Anthem Title: “애국가” Korean (Chosŏn’gŭl (Han-geul) script) “Aegukka” (Korean (McCune-Reischauer Romanization)) “Patriotic Song” (English translation) “아침은 빛나라” (unofficial title (Korean (Chosŏn’gŭl (Han-geul) script))) “Ach’imŭn pinnara” (unofficial title (Korean (McCune-Reischauer Romanization))) “Let Morning Shine” (unofficial title (English translation)) Description: A year before the establishment of North Korea in 1948, the government of the then Soviet-controlled sector of Korea adopted a new anthem (the one in use at that time was the anthem of South Korea with its former melody of the Scottish tune “Auld Lang Syne”). Unlike most North Korean patriotic songs, the anthem does not mention either the ruling party or the founder of the nation. The title of the anthem is also the same as South Korea’s (as well as that of the predecessor to the Koreas, the Korean Empire), and the music is somewhat similar to the South Korean one as well. There has also been a “united Korean anthem” created by blending the melodies of the anthems of North and South Korea seamlessly, used by some to promote Korean re-unification. There also exists a patriotic song, “Song of General Kim Il Sung” which, while not the official national anthem of the country, is a very popular patriotic song and, unlike the national anthem, does reference the ruling family and founder of the country, and thus is used more in the country as part of the government’s mission to spread information about the founder of North Korea to its citizens. As such, it is taught in schools and played at public gatherings more frequently than the national anthem is. Special thanks to: Jo Hyo-roe for the sheet music. Lyricist: 박세영 (Pak Seyŏng) Composer: 김원균 (Kim Wŏn’gyun) In Use Since: 1947 Korean lyrics (Chosŏn'gŭl (Han-geul) script) 1. 아침은 빛나라 이 강산 은금의 자원도 가득한 삼천리 아름다운 내 조국 반만년 오랜 력사에 찬란한 문화로 자라난 슬기론 인민의 이 영광 몸과 맘 다바쳐 이 조선 길이 받드세 2. 백두산 기상을 다 안고 근로의 정신은 깃들어 진리로 뭉쳐진 억센 뜻 온 세계 앞서 나가라 솟는 힘 노도도 내밀어 인민의 뜻으로 선 나라 한없이 부강하는 이 조선 길이 빛내세 Korean lyrics (McCune-Reischauer Romanization) 1. Achimŭn pinnara i kangsan Ŭnkume, cawŏnto katŭk han Samchŏlli, arŭmtaun nae cokuk, Panmannyŏn oraen ryŏksa e. Chanranhan munhwaro caranan Sŭlkiron inmin yi i yŏngkwang: Momkwa mam tapachyŏ, i, cosŏn Kili pattŭse. 2. Paektusan Kisangŭl ta anko. Kŭlloyi cŏngsinŭn kittŭlŏ. Chilriro mungchyŏcin ŏksen ttŭs On sekye aphsŏ nakara. Sonnŭn him nototo naemilŏ, Inminyi ttŭsŭro sŏn nara. Han ŏpsi pukanghanŭn I cosŏn kili pinnaese. English translation 1. Let morning shine on the silver and gold of this land, Three thousand leagues packed with natural wealth. My beautiful fatherland. The glory of a wise people Brought up in a culture brilliant With a history five millennia long. Let us devote our bodies and minds To supporting this Korea for ever. 2. The firm will, bonded with truth, Nest for the spirit of labour, Embracing the atmosphere of Mount Paektu, Will go forth to all the world. The country established by the will of the people, Breasting the raging waves with soaring strength. Let us glorify for ever this Korea, Limitlessly rich and strong. Reference: http://www.nationalanthems.info/kp.htm