Aegukga

Aegukga (애국가, 愛國歌) is the national anthem of Republic of Korea. The title literally means The Song of Love for the Country.

It is believed that the lyrics were written toward the end of the 19th Century either by Yun Ch'i-ho, a politician, or by An Ch'ang-ho, an pro-independence leader and educator. Initially, Aegukga was sung to the Scottish folk tune Auld Lang Syne. During Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945), the song was banned, but overseas Koreans continued to sing it, expressing their yearnings for national independence. In 1937, Ahn Eak-tae, an internationally noted Korean musician based in Spain, composed the music for Aegukga. His work was officially adopted by the Provisional Korean Government (1919-1945) in Shanghai, China. Aegukga was sung at a ceremony celebrating the founding of the Republic of Korea on August 15 1948. However, it had never been officially adopted by the government, and continues to serve as an unofficial anthem.

Korean Words

1.

동해물과 백두산이 마르고 닳도록
하느님이 보우하사 우리 나라만세
무궁화 삼천리 화려강산
대한사람 대한으로 길이 보전하세.

2.

남산위에 저 소나무 철갑을 두른 듯
바람서리 불변함은 우리 기상일세.
무궁화 삼천리 화려강산
대한사람 대한으로 길이 보전하세.

3.

가을하늘 공활한데 높고 구름없이
밝은달은 우리가슴 일편단심일세.
무궁화 삼천리 화려강산
대한사람 대한으로 길이 보전하세.

4.

이기상과 이맘으로 충성을 다하여
괴로우나 즐거우나 나라 사랑하세.
무궁화 삼천리 화려강산
대한사람 대한으로 길이 보전하세.

Roman Transliteration

1.

Donghae mulgwa Baekdusani mareugo daltorok
haneunimi bouhasa urinara manse

2.

Namsan wie jeo sonamu cheolgabeul dureundeut
baram seori bulbyeonhameun uri gisangilse

3.

gaeul haneul gonghwalhande nopgo gureum eopsi
balgeun dareun uri gaseum ilpyeondansimilse

4.

i gisanggwa i mameuro chungseongeul dahayeo
goerouna jeulgeouna nara saranghase

Refrain

mugunghwa samcheolli hwaryeogangsan
Daehan saram Daehaneuro giri bojeonhase

English Translation

Part 1: Until the East Sea's waves are dry, (and) Mt. Baekdusan worn away, God watch o'er our land forever, our country forever!

Part 2: Like a Mt. Namsan armored pine, standing on duty still, wind or frost, unchanging ever, be our resolute will.

Part 3: In autumn's, arching evening sky, crystal and cloudless blue, be the radiant moon our spirit, steadfast, single and true.

Part 4: With such a will, (and) such a spirit, loyalty, heart and hand, let us love, come grief, come gladness, this our beloved land!

Refrain: Rose of Sharon, thousand miles of range and river land! Guarded by her people, ever may Korea stand!

External link

MIDI File