Pu Tian Yue

Pu Tian Yue
Traditional Chinese	普天樂
Simplified Chinese	普天乐
Literal meaning	Whole Sky Song
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin pǔtiān yuè IPA [pʰù tʰjɛ́n ɥê] Yue: Cantonese Jyutping pou2 tin1 ngok6

The Pu Tian Yue (Chinese: 普天樂) is considered the first national anthem of China, though it was not approved officially by the Qing government.

Only known recording of Pu Tian Yue

History

In 1878 (the 4th year of the Guangxu Emperor), Zeng Jize (曾纪泽) made a diplomatic visit to Great Britain and France; he was appointed Ambassador to Russia two years later. At an international convention, a national song was needed, so he wrote the song "Pu Tian Yue" to the tune 词牌.

This song was not officially approved by the Qing government, but was recognized as the national song of China in other countries.

The only known versions are from a version played by the Victor Military Band, translated as "The World's Delight," recorded in Camden, New Jersey on 18 September 1914.[1]

Lyrics

The lyrics of the song are incomplete as this is the only surviving portion of them.

Simplified Chinese [2]	Traditional Chinese	Hanyu Pinyin	English Translation
一统旧江山， 亚细亚文明古国四千年， 最可叹： 犹太、印度与波兰， 亡国恨， 谈之心寒……	一統舊江山， 亞細亞文明古國四千年， 最可嘆： 猶太、印度與波蘭， 亡國恨， 談之心寒……	Yītǒng jiù jiāngshān, Yàxìyà wénmíng gǔguó sìqiān nián! Zuì kě tàn: Yóutài, yìndù yǔ bōlán, Wángguó hèn, Tán zhī xīnhán……	who Unified the Old Nation, the Ancient Asian Civilization of 4000 Years, But most lamentable, Judea, India and Poland, The hatred of losing their country, It is heartbreaking to discuss...

References

1. https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/matrix/detail/700000194/B-15202 China_national_air_The_worlds_delight
2. "华祝歌、李中堂乐……清朝那些不为人知的半官方国歌 _私家历史_澎湃新闻-The Paper".