Songs that moved a nation

Dong Fang Hong (The East is Red)

Probably the best-known Red Song. In 1943, a peasant in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province composed a song to express his admiration of Mao Zedong. The song soon became a hit among locals. Composers in Yan'an, then the headquarter of the Chinese Communist Party, made some changes to the melody and added three passages of lyrics, to shape the current East is Red. In 1966 the song was developed into a dance performance. Former premier Zhou Enlai designed the setting of the stage.

Classic line: The east is red, the sun rises. China has a Mao Zedong.

My Mother Country (Wode Zuguo)

In a scene from a 1956 film about Chinese voluntary troops in the Korean War (1950-53), the song pays a tribute to the motherland. The scene features a group of injured soldiers resting in a cave, while a female soldier sings. The soldiers all listen quietly at first, and then join in the chorus.

Each of the three passages of lyrics describe the beautiful scenery of the motherland. The dainty female's voice and the soldiers' chorus which follows complete a moving contrast.

Classic line: The big river has wide waves, wind conveys the rice's scent to both sides. This is my beautiful mother country, a place I was born and brought up.

In the Sparkling Red Star I Go to War (Hongxing Zhaowo Qu Zhandou)

This is the theme song of a 1974 film called Sparkling Red Star (Shanshan De Hongxing), a coming of age movie starring boy actor Zhu Xinyun. The simple lyrics and melody of the song make it easy for both children and adults to sing.

Classic line: The little bamboo raft floats on the river, while the mountains on the sides recede. The red star shines with sparkles, brightening my way to the war. One generation after another stride like the waves, following our Communist Party.

Why are the Flowers so Red? (Hua'er Weishenme Zheyang Hong)

This beautifully written song was featured in the spy thriller, Visitors to the Ice Mountain (Bingshanshang De Laike). Set amid the chaos of warring secret agents and bandits in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region after 1949, the 1963 film doubles as a love story between a PLA soldier and his lover.

The film was extremely popular, and so was the song. In 2003, singer Zheng Jun recorded a rock version.

Classic line: Why are the flowers so red, as red as the burning fire? It symbolizes the pure friendship and love. Why are the flowers so fresh, so fresh that I cannot move my steps? They are watered by the blood of youth.

China Daily

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(China Daily 11/07/2007 page18)