From CCNU Tiankong Choir: I Love This Land

Video

I Love This Land

Video: From CCNU Tiankong Choir: I Love this Land (Piano by Deng Chang, Chorus adaption by Wang Tianyang, Conductor: Tian Xiaobao) (The video was previously displayed on CCTV.com, the website of China Central Television)

Acknowledgment: all copyrights of the video and photos reserved to Central China Normal University (CCNU)

The Tiankong Choir at Central China Normal University presents another haunting and soul-stirring rendition of “I Love This Land”. This powerful piece brings to life a legendary Chinese poem that was written during one of the nation’s darkest times. Through their performance, the choir takes the audience on an emotional journey that captures the sorrow, resilience, and unwavering hope for peace.

To help you better enjoy this extraordinary rendition, here are the English translation of the lyrics and the Chinese version with Pinyin.

假如我是一只鸟
Jiǎ rú wǒ shì yī zhǐ niǎo		If I were a bird,
我也应该用嘶哑的喉咙歌唱
wǒ yě yīng gāi yòng sī yǎ de hóu lóng gē chàng		I would sing with my hoarse voice：
这被暴风雨所打击着的土地
zhè bèi bào fēng yǔ suǒ dǎ jí zhe de tǔ dì		Of this land was buffeted by storms,
这永远汹涌着我们的悲愤的河流
zhè yǒng yuǎn xiōng yǒng zhe wǒ men de bēi fèn de hé liú		 Of this river was enraged by our grief,
这无止息地吹刮着的激怒的风
zhè wú zhǐ xī dì chuī guā zhe de jī nù de fēng		Of these angry winds ceaselessly blowing
和那来自林间的无比温柔的黎明……
hé nà lái zì lín jiàn de wú bǐ wēn róu de lí míng……		And of the dawn, infinitely gentle over the woods...
然后我死了
rán hòu wǒ sǐ le		 ——Then I would die,
连羽毛也腐烂在土地里面
lián yǔ máo yě fǔ làn zài tǔ dì lǐ miàn		And even my feathers would rot in the soil.
为什么我的眼里常含泪水
wèi shé me wǒ de yǎn lǐ cháng hán lèi shuǐ		 Why are my eyes always brimming with tears?
因为我对这土地爱得深沉
yīn wèi wǒ duì zhè tǔ dì ài dé shēn chén		Because I love this land so deeply.

(English translation sourced from: https://docenti.unimc.it/p.huang/teaching/2019/21603/files/827e9752-621172318fd9571f5730-593153bb76845c816708)

The lyrics come from the renowned poem "I Love This Land" by Ai Qing (1910–1996), one of modern China’s most celebrated poets. Written in 1938, the poem painted the fleeting and insignificant life of everyday people struggling in a vast expanse of land. The entire piece is a deeply moving expression of love for a country beset by catastrophe and suffering. The iconic lines, "Why are my eyes always brimming with tears? Because I love this land so deeply" are simple yet profoundly evocative. It honours the enduring love for the country and the strength of human spirit.

Ai Qing served as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of People's Literature and a member of China's National Federation of Literary and Art Circles. In 1985, French President François Mitterrand honoured him with the title of Knight of Arts and Letters. Among his poetry collections are Dayanhe River, The North, Toward the Sun, and Dawn's Notice.

The music was composed by Lu Zaiyi (1943) who served as Vice Chairman and Advisor of the China Musicians Association. His most distinguished works include Motherland, the Compassionate Mother, The Bridge, Yearning, Home, I Love This Land, and Words of Longing.