Singers Yearning for and Heralding a "New China"
Li Xiangyang, Henan University
Post-Opium War China found itself amidst an unprecedented "great transformation unseen in three thousand years." The bombardments by Western powers repeatedly battered the empire's self-confidence, and the ancient Chinese culture faced severe challenges. Confronted with an unprecedented racial crisis in a time of peril, how would intellectuals, who bore the world as their responsibility, position themselves? How would they strive to turn the tide and strengthen their nation? The three volumes of the "New China Song Collection" compiled by Jin Tianyu at the end of the Qing Dynasty may offer a reference answer. These collections distinctly reflect Jin's concern for the times, singing out praises for the glorious history of China, dissatisfaction with the late Qing government, and the spirit of volunteering for national service.
Firstly, the narration of the glorious history of the Chinese nation includes odes to China's profound history. Jin recounts significant events in Chinese history through songs, most notably "History Song" and "Great Han Memorial Song." "History Song" chronicles from the Han people's "origins in Kunlun" and "the founding of the state by the Yellow Emperor" to the "Yuan Dynasty's rule"; "Great Han Memorial Song" covers from the Battle of Zhuolu between the Yellow Emperor and Chiyou to the establishment of the Ming Dynasty by Zhu Yuanzhang. Both imply dissatisfaction with the Qing government with a subtle touch. As for the praises of China's landscapes, "The Great Wall" Part II states: "Two thousand years ago, China was strong, and foreign countries dared not cross the long Great Wall; alas, times have changed, and now we no longer see the Emperor Qin Shi Huang." This serves as a veiled criticism of the present. "Chinese Geography," with its concise strokes, sketches a global vision of China's geography, with lines like "a population of four hundred million, leading the world, the East Asian empire is truly unparalleled," revealing a strong sense of national pride. These feelings are also reflected, to varying degrees, in songs like "Yangtze River" and "Yellow River."
Secondly, the collection faces the harsh reality and the failures of the Qing government. There are many such songs. Among them, the fourteen songs in "National Memorial" edited by Jin recount significant events in Chinese history since the Opium War, including records of humiliating defeats and discrimination against China by the West in terms of civilizational hierarchy as documented in "Human Pavilion." Jin Tianyu created "Monument" to commemorate heroes who sacrificed for the country and also compiled songs like "Sighing for Greece," "Mourning India," and "Lamenting Egypt," using other nations as examples to make people aware of the perilous situation of late Qing China. These songs contain many indignant words, which are the high-pitched expressions of the author's profound sense of national sentiment.
Thirdly, the collection expresses confidence in overcoming enemies and the spirit of martial valor, willingness to sacrifice, and fearlessness. Nostalgia for the glorious history of the Chinese nation and dissatisfaction with the bleak reality led Jin Tianyu to place his hopes in the future. His song collection is filled with a heroic revolutionary spirit and an inspiring national ethos. "Zhong Jun's Volunteering" states: "The spirit of martial valor is the seed of patriotism." The three volumes of "New China Song Collection" include a large number of military songs, such as Huang Zunxian's "March Song," the Shanghai Society's "Expedition," and Jin Tianyu's "Trumpet Recruitment." In addition, he passionately praises China's army and navy, singing about their triumphs and drills, even creating combative pieces like "Praying for a Warrior's Death," expressing his determination. The song "Battery" writes: "The red flag is raised high, a thunderous shock to the heavens and the earth." "No matter how strong you are, torpedoes and ironclad armor, all are destroyed here." To this day, readers can still feel the fervent emotions behind Jin's words.
Published on October 3, 2024