Song to the Auspicious Cloud
The Song to the Auspicious Cloud was the title of two historical national anthems of the Republic of China. The first version was composed in 1896 by Jean Hautstont, a Belgian composer and esperantist, and was in use from 1913 to 1915 as a provisional anthem. The second version, composed by Xiao Youmei, was in use from 1921 to 1928 as an official national anthem. The lyrics of both songs were based on the Commentary of Shang Shu written by Fu Sheng in 200–100 BCE.
History
The lyrics of the two versions of the Song to the Auspicious Cloud were based on a song recorded in the Commentary of Shang Shu, which was said to have been sung by the ancient Emperor Shun upon his abdication in favor of Yu the Great. Its original lyrics in classical Chinese were:The song's imagery symbolized the transfer of monarchical power under the abdication system of succession, which, according to Chinese legends, supposedly predated hereditary dynastic succession. After the end of the monarchy and the establishment of the republic, many favored the new government's adoption of the classical song's lyrics as the national anthem.
First version (1913–1915)
A national anthem committee was established in July 1912 by Cai Yuanpei, the Minister of Education of the Republic of China. Representative Wang Rongbao, added another quotation from Emperor Shun: "時哉夫，天下非一人之天下也" in the last line of "Song to the Auspicious Cloud" and invited Jean Hautstont, a Belgian composer and esperantist, to compose an anthem. On April 8, 1913, the national anthem was used in opening ceremony of the first regular council. It was a provisional anthem until "China Heroically Stands in the Universe" became the national anthem of the Republic of China on May 23, 1915.Second version (1921–1928)
In November 1919, Duan Qirui established the National Anthem Research Committee, which adopted the second version of the "Song to the Auspicious Cloud". Lyrics by Zhang Taiyan from the classic "the Song to the Auspicious Cloud" from the Commentary of Shangshu. Music by Xiao Youmei.It was selected to be the official anthem on March 31, 1921, by No.759 presidential decree, and was released in July 1921 by the Department of National Affairs.
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