Aegukga

This article is about the national anthem of South Korea. For the national anthem of North Korea, see Aegukka. For the national anthem of Korean Empire, see Korean Empire Aegukga.

애국가

English: Patriotic Song
Aegukga
South Korean Emblem
National anthem of South Korea
Also known as	Song of Love for the Country
Lyrics	Unknown
Music	Ahn Eak-tai, 1935
Adopted	1948
Relinquished	2015 (Copyright only)
Music sample
"The Patriotic Song" (Instrumental)

Aegukga
Hangul	애국가
Hanja	愛國歌
Revised Romanization	Aegukga
McCune–Reischauer	Aegukka

"Aegukga" (English: "Patriotic Song") is the national anthem of South Korea.

Etymology

The title "Aegukga" literally means "The Patriotic Song", or "The Song of Love for the Country".

History

It is believed that the lyrics of "Aegukga" were written for the cornerstone-laying ceremony of the Independence Gate in Seoul in 1896 by Yun Chi-ho, a politician, or by An Chang-ho, a pro-independence leader and educator. Initially, "Aegukga" was sung to the tune of the Scottish folk song "Auld Lang Syne", introduced to Korea by Western missionaries. The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea (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 that Ahn Eak-tai had composed in 1935. The new "Aegukga" was later adopted by the Presidential Decree of 1948 by then-South Korean President Syngman Rhee (or Lee Seungman).

Copyright

Since the composer Ahn Eak-tai died in 1965, the copyright for the music will not expire at least until 2015. Two South Korean professional soccer teams were sued by a copyrightholders' group for public playing of this song in December 2003. The composer's widow Lolita Ahn and her family then relinquished all rights to Aegukga to the South Korean government on 16 March 2005. The lyrics, which were originally written in the 19th century, are in the public domain.

Lyrics

Hangul	Hangul and hanja	Revised Romanization	English translation
1. 동해 물과 백두산이 마르고 닳도록 하느님이 보우하사 우리나라 만세 Refrain 무궁화 삼천리 화려 강산 대한 사람 대한으로 길이 보전하세 2. 남산 위에 저 소나무 철갑을 두른 듯 바람서리 불변함은 우리 기상일세 Refrain 3. 가을 하늘 공활한데 높고 구름 없이 밝은 달은 우리 가슴 일편단심일세 Refrain 4. 이 기상과 이 맘으로 충성을 다하여 괴로우나 즐거우나 나라 사랑하세 Refrain	東海 물과 白頭山이 마르고 닳도록 하느님이 保佑하사 우리나라 萬歲 無窮花 三千里 華麗 江山 大韓 사람 大韓으로 길이 保全하세 南山 위에 저 소나무 鐵甲을 두른 듯 바람서리 不變함은 우리 氣像일세 Refrain 가을 하늘 空豁한데 높고 구름 없이 밝은 달은 우리 가슴 一片丹心일세 Refrain 이 氣像과 이 맘으로 忠誠을 다하여 괴로우나 즐거우나 나라 사랑하세 Refrain	Donghae mulgwa Baekdusani mareugo daltorok Haneunimi bouhasa urinara manse Mugunghwa samcheolli hwaryeo gangsan Daehan saram daehaneuro giri bojeonhase Namsan wie jeo sonamu cheolgabeul dureun deut Baram seori bulbyeonhameun uri gisangilse Refrain Gaeul haneul gonghwarhande nopgo gureum eopsi Balgeun dareun uri gaseum ilpyeondansimilse Refrain I gisanggwa i mameuro chungseongeul dahayeo Goerouna jeulgeouna nara saranghase Refrain	Until that day when Mt. Baekdu is worn away and the East Sea's waters run dry, God protect and preserve our country! 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, undivided and true. Refrain With this spirit and this mind, let us give all loyalty, in suffering or in joy, to the country's love. Refrain

See also

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

External links

• Streaming audio, lyrics and info
• Republic of Korea National Anthem
• [3]