The “President Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Song” is a song to commemorate and praise the late President Chiang Kai-shek (styled Chieh-shih) of the Republic of China. Currently, there are three officially circulated versions. The earliest was composed in 1975 by Huang Yau-tai with lyrics by Chin Hsiao-yi; Huang later also wrote three “Chiang Ching-kuo Memorial Songs” for the Music Bureau New Sounds collection in 1988. After Chiang Kai-shek’s death, the ROC Ministry of Education held an open call for compositions from world-renowned Chinese composers, ultimately selecting another version with music by Lee Chung-he and lyrics by Chang Ling. A third version features lyrics by Sun Yi and music by Wang Shih-chuan.
Lyrics of the Memorial Song (Lyrics: Chin Hsiao-yi / Music: Huang Yau-tai)
Note: The lyrics are written in a highly classical, formal style of literary Chinese (Classical Chinese).
Ah, the President, Lord Chiang of Wuling, majestic and vast, beyond the people’s power to describe! Majestic and vast, beyond the people’s power to describe! The revolution truly succeeded the will of Sun Yat-sen; diligent study followed the footsteps of Wang Yang-ming. Like the roaring waves of Whampoa, he shone like the sun and stars even in mourning garb; with the sincerity of Chongqing, he wielded simple weapons to strike down ironclad and well-armed troops. How difficult it was to earn the loyalty of millions, making enemy generals surrender and remain steadfast against coercion. He led the empire through a dozen treacherous trials, abolished unequal treaties, and finally achieved equality; he made arrogant and aggressive enemies fear his might yet embrace his virtue, so that to this day they are moved to tears. Zhuge Liang of Nanyang and Guo Ziyi of Fenyang would surely feel ashamed of what they could not achieve! With the New Life Movement he nurtured the people’s virtue, with constitutional rule he planted our democracy, with economic construction he strengthened our livelihood, and with nine-year compulsory education he caused the people’s wisdom to steam upward. Ethics, Democracy, Science, Revolution, Practice, and Diligence—thus was Chinese culture rejuvenated! Alas, the traitorous bandits rebelled, and the mainland was as if boiling and burning. Within his heart, he felt the hunger and drowning of the people; he lay on fire and embraced ice, turning his gaze westward as days and months passed. How could Heaven not regret this disaster, suddenly taking our commander-in-chief? The vast sea and rain weep, and the Divine Land (China) falls into darkness. Like orphaned ministers and wronged sons, we cling to the trees and beat our breasts! Like orphaned ministers and wronged sons, we cling to the trees and beat our breasts! Let our deep grief turn into thunder, let our united will become a great wind; though we die nine deaths we shall not repent. We pray the gods will look down and witness: we vow to punish these great traitors and arch-villains, we vow to restore our Siming and the two capitals, we vow to end this great humiliation and tragedy, we vow to reclaim our Heluo, Yan, and Yun. As long as the Jin River remains blue and the Zijin Mountain remains green, ah, the President, Lord Chiang of Wuling, majestic and vast, beyond the people’s power to describe! Majestic and vast, beyond the people’s power to describe!
Recommended for Further Listening
President Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Song, Ministry of Education Edition / Second Edition (Lyrics: Chang Ling / Music: Lee Chung-he)