Aegukga
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English: Patriotic Song | |
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애국가 | |
National anthem of South Korea Former national anthem of U.S. Navy Band instrumental version (one verse) |
Aegukga | |
Hangul | |
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Revised Romanization | Aegukga |
McCune–Reischauer | Aegukka |
"Aegukga" (
"Aegukga" has four verses, but on most occasions only the first one, followed by the chorus, is sung when performed publicly at events such as baseball games and football matches.
Etymology
Aegukga literally means "patriotic song". The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture defines "Aegukga" as "the song to wake up the mind to love the country". "Aegukga" in itself is differentiated from a national anthem. While a national anthem or gukga (lit. 'country song') is an official symbol of the state, aegukga refers to any song, official or unofficial, that contains patriotic fervor towards its country, such as Hungary's "Szózat" or the U.S. "The Stars and Stripes Forever". However, the nationally designated "Aegukga" plays the role of symbolizing the country.[2][3] In general shorthand, the term aegukga refers to the national anthem of South Korea.[4] Nevertheless, there are still more than ten other extant "Aegukgas" in South Korea.[2]
History
Origins
In the 1890s, the previously established
A book from the
The song attributed to Eckert was established by the military in 1902. A version of Eckert's song with different lyrics began to be officially implemented in the schools in 1904. All the schools were forced to sing the version of the song. The policy is thought of as a by-product of the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1905 and the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1907.[2]
There are many theories concerning the writer of the currently official lyrics of "Aegukga.” It is most commonly believed that the lyrics were written for the cornerstone-laying ceremony of the
Initially, "Aegukga" was sung to the tune of the Scottish folk song "
During official ceremonies until 1987, "Aegukga" was preceded by four ruffles and flourishes, similar to the Taiwanese practice; today the anthem is played following the playing of the presidential honours music.[11]
Copyright
Since the composer Ahn Eak-tai died in 1965, the copyright for the music was to not expire until at least 2036. Two South Korean professional football clubs were sued by a copyright holders' group for playing this song in December 2003.[12] However, on March 16, 2005, the composer's widow—Lolita Ahn—and her family relinquished all rights to "Aegukga" to the South Korean government.[13] "Aegukga" has since become a public domain song.[14]
Version
In 2018, music director, Park In-young, gave Aegukga a makeover and added brass and woodwind instruments to the arrangement and she said, “while trying not to change Ahn’s original version, we gave it a more modern spin.” For some Koreans Aegukga doesn’t have any impact or hold any special meaning while others stand proud when they hear or sing it and remember the love their ancestors held and the sacrifices they made in their struggle for independence.[15]
For nearly a century, "Aegukga" has been a part of Korean lives to cultivate patriotism and loyalty. Even without any spectators in the wave of the coronavirus pandemic, all sporting events such as pro baseball games start with the song.[16]
Lyrics
Korean original
Hangul (official) | Hangul and Hanja | Revised Romanization of Korean |
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1절 |
1節: |
1-jeol: |
English translations
Literal English translation | Poetic English translation[17] |
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1st verse Namsan Peak stands firm, unchanged through wind and frost,as if wrapped in armour, so shall our resilient spirit. Refrain 3rd verse The autumn skies are void and vast, high and cloudless; the bright moon is like our heart, undivided and true. Refrain 4th verse With this spirit and this mind, let us give all loyalty, in suffering or joy, to love our nation. Refrain |
1st verse |
Notes
- ^ South Korea, and the Korean language in general, refers to the Sea of Japan as East Sea.
References
- ^ (CHEONGWADAE), 청와대. "대한민국 청와대". Blue House. Archived from the original on 2015-06-10.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "애국가". Academy of Korean Studies. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ "애국가[愛國歌]". Doosan Corporation. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ "대한제국애국가". NAVER Corp. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ "South Korea – Aegukga". NationalAnthems.me. Archived from the original on 2012-04-24. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
- ^ "[필진]끝나지 않은 애국가 작사자 논란 Piljin] Unfinished national anthem lyricist controversy". The Hankyoreh (in Korean). 2005-11-29. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
- ^ 팽귄기자. "대학토론 배틀 – 좋은 투자의 조건 -". demo-press.optian.co.kr. Archived from the original on 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- ^ "안익태가 애국가를 처음 만들었다?". NAVER Corp. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: TheKhanate (11 June 2016). "National anthem of South Korea(first recording 1942)(alternative version):"애국가"(Aegukga)" – via YouTube.
- ^ 강, 민구 (10 February 2018). "1984년 국군의날기념식 (건군36주년)". Archived from the original on 2019-11-10 – via YouTube.
- ^ "애국가 틀때도 저작권료 내야돼?". The Hankyoreh. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "애국가 작곡가 안익태 48주기 추모식". News1 Korea. 16 September 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "Republic of Korea – National Anthem". Internet Archive. 2007. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
- ^ "The Story Behind Aegukga". Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Norway. June 5, 2020.
- ^ "Ordeal of 'Aegukga'". The Korea Times. May 20, 2020.
- ^ "Country. Anthems". Archived from the original on 2021-05-22. Retrieved 2020-05-27.