Aegukga

애국가

English: Patriotic Song
Aegukga
South Korean emblem
National anthem of the  Republic of Korea
Also known as	Song of Love for the Country
Lyrics	1896[1] probably Yun Chi-ho or Ahn Changho
Music	Ahn Eak-tai, 1935
Adopted	1948
Music sample
"The Patriotic Song" (instrumental)

"Aegukga" (English: Patriotic Song, literally "loving country song") is the national anthem of the Republic of Korea (commonly known as South Korea).

Etymology

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 is the official symbol of the country, Aegukga refers to any song, official or unofficial, that contains love towards its country, such as Hungary's Szózat. However, the nationally designated "Aegukga" plays the role of symbolizing the country.^[2][3] In general, 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

Origin

In the 1890s, the previously established Joseon dynasty began to contact other countries for the first time, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Russia. The meeting with foreign countries gave rise to patriotism, which then created several "Aegugkas". For instance, works in 1896 includes "Aeguka" created by Na Pil-gun, Han Myung-one, and Lee Yong-mu.^[2] On November 21, 1896, scholars from the Paejae school sang a version of "Aegukga" in the independence door ceremony. However, this song differs from the song sung by the Military Academy in 1898 and from the songs sung on the birthday of the former emperor.^[2]

However, a book from the Korean Empire in 1900 has a record of a national anthem. It was called the "Korean Empire Aegukga", or literally the "Anthem of the Greater Korean Empire". The anthem is commonly believed to be written by Franz Eckert.^[2][5] Some people contend that records documenting Franz Eckert's actions show that it was physically impossible for him to write the anthem. It is guessed that the song sung by the Paejae school was the Scottish song "Auld Lang Syne" and that the song sung by the Military Academy is a version of the British song "God Save the Queen".^[2]

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 composer of the currently official version of "Aegukga". It is most commonly believed that the lyrics of the song were written for the cornerstone-laying ceremony of the Independence Gate in Seoul in 1896 by Yun Chi-ho, a Korean politician.,^[2][6] Later, Kim Gu during the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea era, said to his comrades "In the March 1st Movement, we had the Taegeukgi and the Aegukga. Why who wrote it should be an issue?" said Kim. "The lyrics and the anthem's spirit are more important than the nature of the lyricist.", he refuted.^[7] Other theories name the composer as An Chang-ho, Choi Byung-hun, Kim In-sik, Min Yeong-hwan, or some combination of the aforementioned composers. The "Committee to search for the composer of 'Aegukga'" was established in 1955 by the government on the request of the United States, but the committee concluded that there was not enough evidence to name a composer.^[8]

Initially, "Aegukga" was sung to the tune of the Scottish folk song "Auld Lang Syne", introduced to Korea by western missionaries. The Provisional Korean Government (1919–1945) in Shanghai, China adopted it as their national anthem. At a ceremony celebrating the founding of South Korea on 15 August 1948, the Scottish tune was finally replaced by the Finale of "Korea Fantasia", which Ahn Eak-tai had composed in 1935. The new "Aegukga" was later adopted by the Presidential Decree of 1948 by the then South Korean President Syngman Rhee (or Lee Seungman).

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.^[9] However, on March 16, 2005, the composer's widow—Lolita Ahn—and her family relinquished all rights to "Aegukga" to the South Korean government.^[10] The lyrics are now in the public domain.^[11]

Lyrics

English translation

Until that day when Mt. Baekdu is worn away and the East Sea's waters run dry,
May God preserve our country, our long-living homeland!

Refrain:

Hibiscus and three thousand ri full of splendid mountains and rivers;

Koreans, to the Korean way, stay always true!

As the pine atop Namsan Peak stands firm, unchanged through wind and frost,
as if wrapped in armour, so shall our resilient spirit.

Refrain

The autumn skies are void and vast, high and cloudless;
the bright moon is like our heart, divided, but always true.

Refrain

With this spirit and this mind, let us give all loyalty,
in suffering or joy, to love our nation.

Refrain

See also

• Korean Empire Aegukga
• Aegukka
• List of Korea-related topics

References

External links

• Streaming audio, lyrics and info
• Republic of Korea National Anthem
• nationalanthems.info
• 아이러브 KBS
• 맹세문 애국가 다운로드 | 경상남도교육청
• 업무 안내> 장차관직속기관> 의정관> 국가상징> 국민의례
• "Aegugka" sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne"