KOREAN LYRICS

Sangdye-nun urinara-rul do-u-sosheo
Yeongwon-mugung-torok nara taepyong-hago
Inmin-un anlak-haya
Wie-kwon-ee she-shang-e ttolchi-yeo
Dogrip jayu bugang-ul ilshin-ke haso-sheo
Sangdye-nun urinara-rul do-u-sosheo

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ENGLISH TRANSLATION

God help our country,
May the country be peaceful for all eternity,
And the people be happy and well
May our influence and power be known all over the world,
And may independence, freedom, and wealth become one.
God help our country.

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Korean Empire
"Daehan Jeguk Aeguk-ga" (Patriotic Song of the Korean Empire)

Words by:Young Hwan Min
Music by:Franz von Eckert
In use:1902-1910

In 1902 the Korean King Kozhon decided to create a national anthem, and
enlisted the services of Franz von Eckert, who almost 20 years earlier had
helped in the creation of Japan's national anthem and was now living in Korea.
The lyrics were written by Young Hwan Min, who was an envoy to Russia. After
the anthem was completed, however, the people didn't accept it due to the
complicated melody, the difficult lyrics, and the long length of the song.
Korea's autonomy was also disappearing by this time as well, and in 1910 Korea
was formally annexed by Japan, after which time it was banned. However, during
the period of Japanese rule, the Japanese did publish an "alternat" version of
the anthem, substituting "Emporer" for "God" and the anthem being a praise to
the Emporer rather than a wish for independence and freedom for the nation.

Special thanks to:Moo-Jae Koh for some of this information and the lyrics, and
Pawel Ciupak for the MIDI.

See also: North_Korea, South_Korea.

MUSIC


