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Arirang

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the Korean traditional song. For other uses, see Arirang (disambiguation).

Arirang in North Korea
A man about to depart on a journey through a mountain pass is seen off by a woman in a scene from the Arirang Festival in North Korea.
CountryNorth Korea
Reference914
RegionAsia and the Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription2014 (9th session)
Arirang in South Korea
Song So-hee performing "Arirang"
CountrySouth Korea
Reference445
RegionAsia and the Pacific
Inscription history
Inscription2012 (7th session)
Arirang
Hangul
아리랑
Revised RomanizationArirang
McCune–ReischauerArirang
IPAa.ɾi.ɾaŋ
Gyeonggi Arirang
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Arirang (아리랑 [a.ɾi.ɾaŋ]) is a Korean folk song.[1] There are about 3,600 variations of 60 different versions of the song, all of which include a refrain similar to "arirang, arirang, arariyo" ("아리랑, 아리랑, 아라리요").[2] It is estimated that the song is more than 600 years old.[3]

"Arirang" is included twice on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, having been submitted for inclusion first by South Korea in 2012[3][2] and then by North Korea in 2014.[1][4] In 2015, the South Korean Cultural Heritage Administration added the song to its list of important intangible cultural assets.[5]

The song is sung today in both North and South Korea and acts as a symbol of unity between the two nations, which are divided by the Korean War.

History

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Origin and ethnomusicology

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It is believed that "Arirang" originated in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province. "Arirang" as a term today is ambiguous in meaning, but some linguists have hypothesized that "ari" (아리) meant "beautiful" and "rang" (랑) referred to a "beloved one" or "bridegroom" in the ancient native Korean language. With the two words together, the term arirang meant "my beloved one".[6] This theory, supported by scholars such as Shin Yong-ha [ko],[7] bears the song's legend. According to the legend, the name is derived from the story of a bachelor and a maiden who fell in love while picking camellia blossoms near the wharf at Auraji (아우라지)—a body of water that derives its name from the Korean word "eoureojida" (어우러지다), which is closely translated to "be in harmony" or "to meet". For example, the body of water that connects the waters of Pyeongchang and Samcheok to the Han River is called Auraji.[8] Two versions of this story exist:

  • In the first one, the bachelor cannot cross Auraji to meet the maiden because the water is too high, so the two sing a song to express their sorrow.
  • In the second version, the bachelor attempts to cross Auraji and drowns, singing the sorrowful song after he dies.[9]

According to Professor Keith Howard, Arirang originated in the mountainous regions of Jeongseon, Gangwon, and the first mention of the song was found in a 1756 manuscript.[10] The Academy of Korean Studies also shares the view that "Arirang" was originally a folk song of Jeongseon. Some Jeongseon locals trace the song further back, to the era of Goryeo.[11]

Some believe that the song spread to Seoul and other regions of Korea when workers from Gangwon were sent to Seoul to rebuild the Gyeongbok Palace under the order of Prince Regent Heungseon of the Joseon period.[11] Others theorize that the words "arirang" and "arari" in the song's lyrics originate from the families of the workers during this period, who said "arirang" (아리랑; 我離郞) or "ananri" (아난리; 我亂離) to the officials taking the workers from their Gangwon homes to the palace construction in Seoul, phrases that meant they couldn't be separated from their lovers or families, respectively.[12][13] According to the Maecheonyarok (매천야록; 梅泉野錄), recorded by Joseon scholar Hwang Hyeon [ko], it seems the song was widespread in the country by this time.[11]

The South Korean literary scholar Yang Ju-dong has theorized that the term "arirang" came from the combination of "ari" (아리), the old Korean indigenous word that also meant "long", and "ryeong" (Korean: 령; Hanja: 領; lit. hill).[14]

Some trace the term "arirang" to the name of Lady Aryeong, the wife of the first king of Silla, as the song could have evolved from a poem praising her virtues. Others have speculated that the term is linked to the Jurchen word "arin", meaning "hometown", or the name of an Indian god with a similar name.[15]

First recording

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The first known recording of "Arirang" was made in 1896 by American ethnologist Alice C. Fletcher. At her home in Washington, D.C., Fletcher recorded three Korean students singing a song she called "Love Song: Ar-ra-rang".[16][17] One source suggests that the students belonged to noble Korean families and were studying at Howard University during the period in which the recording was made.[18] Another source suggests that the singers were Korean workers who happened to be living in America during that time.[19] The recordings are currently housed in the U.S. Library of Congress.[20]

Resistance anthem

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During the Japanese occupation of Korea, it became a criminal offense for anyone to sing patriotic songs, including Korea's national anthem, so "Arirang" became an unofficial resistance anthem against Imperial Japanese rule.[21][22] Korean protesters sang "Arirang" during the March First Movement, a Korean demonstration against the Japanese Empire, in 1919. Many variations of "Arirang" that were written during the occupation contain themes of injustice, the plight of labourers, and guerrilla warfare. It was also sung by mountain guerrillas who were fighting against the occupiers.[21]

The most well-known lyrics to "Arirang" first appeared in the 1926 silent film Arirang, directed by Na Woon-gyu. Arirang is now considered a lost film, but various accounts state it was about a Korean student who became mentally ill after being imprisoned and tortured by the Japanese. The film was a hit upon its release and is considered the first Korean nationalist film.[23][21][24]

Popularity in Japan

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During the Japanese occupation of Korea, Japan experienced a craze for Korean culture and for "Arirang" in particular. Over 50 Japanese versions of the song were released between 1931 and 1943, in genres including pop, jazz, and mambo.[21] Some Japanese soldiers were familiar with "Arirang" from their service in Japanese Korea, or from their interactions with forcibly conscripted Korean comfort women, labourers, and soldiers.

Musical score

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\relative f' { \key f \major \time 9/8 \tempo "Lento" 4 = 140 \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"violin" c4. ~ c4 d8 c4 ( d8 ) | f4. ~ f4 g8 f4 ( g8 ) | a4. g8( a g) f4 ( d8 ) | c4. ~ ( c4 d8 c d ) r8 |\break f4. ~ f4 g8 f4 ( g8 ) | a4 ( g8 ) f4 ( d8 ) c4 ( d8 ) | f4. ~ f4 g8 f4.| f4. ~ f4. r4. |\break c'4. ~ c c | c4. a4. g4. | a4. g4 a8 f4 ( d8 ) | c4. ~ ( c4 d8 c d ) r8 |\break f4. ~ f4 g8 f4 ( g8 ) | a4 ( g8 ) f4 ( d8 ) c4 ( d8 ) | f4. ~ f4 g8 f4.| f4. ~ f4. r4. \bar "|."} \addlyrics { 아 리 랑 아 리 랑 아 라 리 요 아 리 랑 고 개 로 넘 어 간 다 나 를 버 리 고 가 시 는 님 은 십 리 도 못 가 서 발 병 난 다} \addlyrics { 아 리 랑 아 리 랑 아 라 리 요 아 리 랑 고 개 로 넘 어 간 다 청 천 하 늘 엔 별 도 – 많 고 우 리 네 가 슴 엔 꿈 도 많 다} \addlyrics { 아 리 랑 아 리 랑 아 라 리 요 아 리 랑 고 개 로 넘 어 간 다 저 기 저 산 이 백 두 산 이라 지 동 지 섣 달 에 도 꽃 만 핀 다}

Lyrics

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All versions of "Arirang" include a refrain similar to "Arirang, arirang, arariyo (아리랑, 아리랑, 아라리요)".[2] The word "arirang" itself is nonsensical and does not have a precise meaning in Korean.[25] While the other lyrics vary from version to version, themes of sorrow, separation, reunion, and love appear in most versions.[4][26]

The table below includes the lyrics of "Standard Arirang" from Seoul. The first two lines are the refrain, which is followed by three verses.

Original text in Korean

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Hangul Hangul/Hanja Revised Romanization IPA transcription

아리랑, 아리랑, 아라리요...
아리랑 고개로 넘어간다.

아리랑, 아리랑, 아라리요...
아리랑 고개로 넘어간다.

Arirang, arirang, arariyo...
Arirang gogaero neomeoganda.

[a̠.ɾi.ɾa̠ŋ a̠.ɾi.ɾa̠ŋ a̠.ɾa̠.ɾi.jo̞]
[a̠.ɾi.ɾa̠ŋ ko̞.ge̞.ɾo̞ nʌ̹m.ʌ̹.ga̠n.da̠]

나를 버리고 가시는 님은
십리도 못가서 발병난다.

나를 버리고 가시는 님은
十里도 못가서 발病난다.

Nareul beorigo gasineun nimeun
Simnido motgaseo balbyeongnanda.

[na̠.ɾɯɭ pʌ̹.ɾi.go̞ ka̠.ɕi.nɯn nim.ɯn]
[ɕʰim.ni.do̞ mo̞t̚.k͈a̠.sʌ̹ pa̠ɭ.bjʌ̹ŋ.na̠n.da̠]

청천하늘엔 잔별도 많고,
우리네 가슴엔 희망도 많다.

晴天하늘엔 잔별도 많고,
우리네 가슴엔 希望도 많다.

Cheongcheonhaneuren janbyeoldo manko,
Urine gaseumen huimangdo manta.

[tɕʰʌ̹ŋ.tɕʌ̹n.ɦa̠.nɯ.ɾe̞n tɕa̠n.bjʌ̹ɭ.do̞ ma̠n.ko̞]
[u.ɾi.ne̞ ka̠.sɯm.e̞n çi.ma̠ŋ.do̞ ma̠n.ta̠]

저기 저 산이 백두산이라지,
동지 섣달에도 꽃만 핀다.

저기 저 山이 白頭山이라지,
冬至 섣달에도 꽃萬 핀다.

Jeogi jeo sani baekdusaniraji,
Dongji seotdaredo kkonman pinda.

[tɕʌ̹.gi tɕʌ̹ sʰa̠n.i pe̞k̚.t͈u.sa̠n.i.ɾa̠.dʑi]
[to̞ŋ.dʑi sʰʌ̹t̚.t͈a̠.ɾe̞.do̞ k͈o̞n.ma̠n pʰin.da̠]

English translation

[edit]
Arirang, arirang, arariyo...
You are going over Arirang hill.
My love, if you abandon me
Your feet will be sore before you go ten ri.
Just as there are many stars in the clear sky,
There are also many dreams in our heart.
There, over there, that mountain is Baekdu Mountain,
Where, even in the middle of winter days, flowers bloom.[26][27]

Variations

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Old Arirang
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Miryang Arirang
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Jindo Arirang
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Gangwondo Arirang
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There are an estimated 3,600 variations of 60 different versions of "Arirang";[2] their respective titles are usually prefixed by their place of origin.[15]

While "Jeongseon Arirang" is generally considered to be the original version of the song, "Bonjo Arirang" (literally: Standard Arirang) from Seoul is one of the most famous. This version was first made popular when it was used as the theme song of the 1926 film Arirang.[15]

Other famous variations include "Jindo Arirang" from South Jeolla Province, a region known for being the birthplace of the Korean folk music genres pansori and sinawi; and "Miryang Arirang", from South Gyeongsang Province.[28][29]

Official status

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"Arirang" performed by the United States Army Band Strings with a tenor soloist

China

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In 2011, Arirang was added to the third batch of the "List of Representative Items of National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China".[30]

In 2023, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Region, ethnic Korean singer Cui Liling published the first "Arirang" variation about Heaven Lake on Jangbaeksan.[31]

UNESCO

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Both South and North Korea have successfully submitted "Arirang" to be included on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list; South Korea in 2012[3][2] and North Korea in 2014.[1][4]

South Korea

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In 2015, the South Korean Cultural Heritage Administration added "Arirang" to its list of important intangible cultural assets.[5]

"Arirang" performed by the United States Army Band Chorus with a tenor soloist

U.S. Army

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"Arirang", lyrics in English, adaptation-2, by GSIT at HUFS in 2013. Adaptation of W. B. Yeats' poem "The Falling of the Leaves" into the "Arirang" melody to convey the woe and sorrow which the Korean people experience when listening to the song.

The U.S. Army's 7th Infantry Division adopted "Arirang" as its official march song in May 1956, after receiving permission from Syngman Rhee, the first president of South Korea. The division had been stationed in South Korea from 1950 to 1971, including during the Korean War period.[32]

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Music

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Films

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Media

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Sports

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Video games

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "N. Korea's Arirang wins UNESCO intangible heritage status". Yonhap News Agency. 27 November 2014. Archived from the original on 6 December 2017. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Arirang, lyrical folk song in the Republic of Korea". Intangible Cultural Heritage. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 5 December 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Chung, Ah-young (12 December 2012). "'Arirang' makes it to UNESCO heritage". The Korea Times. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Arirang folk song in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea". Intangible Cultural Heritage. UNESCO. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  5. ^ a b "'Arirang' Listed as National Intangible Asset". The Chosun Ilbo. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 5 December 2017.
  6. ^ "Singing". Korean Folk Song, Arirang. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  7. ^ "[신용하의 새로 쓰는 한국문화]아리랑(下)". Segye Ilbo (in Korean). Segye Ilbo. 15 January 2003. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Auraji Lake (아우라지) – Sightseeing – Korea travel and tourism information". koreatriptips.com. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  9. ^ The National Folk Museum of Korea (2014). Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Literature. Vol. Encyclopedia of Korean Folklore and Traditional Culture Vol. III. 길잡이미디어. pp. 95–96. ISBN 978-8928900848.
  10. ^ Howard, Keith (15 May 2017). Perspectives on Korean Music: Preserving Korean Music: Intangible Cultural Properties as Icons of Identity. Vol. I. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-351-91168-9.
  11. ^ a b c "아리랑". Academy of Korean Studies. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  12. ^ "아리랑설". Korea Creative Content Agency. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  13. ^ "아난리설". Korea Creative Content Agency. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  14. ^ "아리령 설". Korea Creative Content Agency. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  15. ^ a b c d e "From lyrical folk song to cheering song: variations of 'Arirang' in Korean history". The Korea Times. Yonhap News Agency. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  16. ^ Yoon, Min-sik (27 September 2017). "Oldest recorded Arirang to be on display in Seoul". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  17. ^ Kim, Hyeh-won (11 May 2012). "Arirang under renewed light ahead of UNESCO application". Yonhap News Agency. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  18. ^ Provine, Robert C. "Alice Fletcher's Notes on the Earliest Recordings of Korean Music" (PDF). Academy of Korean Studies. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 December 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  19. ^ Maliangkay, Roald (2007). "Their Masters' Voice: Korean Traditional Music SPs (Standard Play Records) under Japanese Colonial Rule". The World of Music. 49 (3): 53–74. ISSN 0043-8774. JSTOR 41699788.
  20. ^ "Alice C Fletcher collection of Korean cylinder recordings". Library of Congress. 1896. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  21. ^ a b c d Atkins, E. Taylor (August 2007). "The Dual Career of "Arirang": The Korean Resistance Anthem That Became a Japanese Pop Hit". The Journal of Asian Studies. 66 (3): 645–687. doi:10.1017/s0021911807000927. hdl:10843/13185. JSTOR 20203201. S2CID 162634680. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  22. ^ Koehler, Robert (2015). Traditional Music: Sounds in Harmony with Nature. Volume 8 of Korea Essentials. Seoul Selection. ISBN 978-1624120428.
  23. ^ Edwards, Matthew (2014). Film Out of Bounds: Essays and Interviews on Non-Mainstream Cinema Worldwide. McFarland. p. 198. ISBN 978-1476607801.
  24. ^ Taylor-Jones, Kate (2017). Divine Work, Japanese Colonial Cinema and its Legacy. Bloomsbury USA. ISBN 978-1501306136.
  25. ^ "Arirang (아리랑)". Sejong Cultural Society. 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  26. ^ a b Kim Yoon, Keumsil; Williams, Bruce (2015). Two Lenses on the Korean Ethos: Key Cultural Concepts and Their Appearance in Cinema. McFarland. p. 39. ISBN 978-0786496822.
  27. ^ Damodaran, Ramu (Winter 2017). "UNAI Impacts Scholarship, Research for Greater Good". SangSaeng. 49. APCEIU: 23.
  28. ^ "Jindo Arirang". Sejong Cultural Society. 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  29. ^ "Milyang Arirang". Sejong Cultural Society. 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  30. ^ "Arirang – List of Representative Items of National Intangible Cultural Heritage (阿里郎 – 国家级非物质文化遗产代表性项目名录)". China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (中国非物质文化遗产网). Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  31. ^ "The world's first Tianchi-themed Arirang "Tianchi Arirang"". bilibili. 崔丽玲. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  32. ^ "Chronological History 7th Infantry Division". 7th Infantry Division Association. 25 May 2012. Archived from the original on 19 May 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  33. ^ Miles, Richard B; et al. (2010). Teaching Music Through Performing in Band Volume 1. Chicago: GIA Publications, Inc. pp. 590–598.
  34. ^ Wakin, Daniel J. (27 February 2008). "North Koreans Welcome Symphonic Diplomacy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  35. ^ "SG워너비, 1년만에 '컴백'...4집 '아리랑' 발표". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 30 March 2007.
  36. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (7 June 2012). "Arirang – review". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  37. ^ "Arirang TV begins DTV service in metropolitan Washington, D.C., area". The Korea Times. Yonhap News Agency. 28 April 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  38. ^ "Arirang Radio to Go on Air in U.S." The Chosun Ilbo. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  39. ^ DeHart, Jonathan (29 July 2013). "Pyongyang's Arirang Festival: Eye Candy for the Masses". The Diplomat. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  40. ^ Ito, Makoto (16 September 2000). "Two Koreas make history during opening ceremony". The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  41. ^ Hersh, Philip (30 April 2011). "Botched jumps cost Kim world title, Czisny the bronze". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  42. ^ "Do passado ao futuro cerimonia de abertura de pyeongchang projeta futuro de crianças" [From Past to Future Pyeongchang Opening Ceremony Projects Children's Future]. Sport TV (in Portuguese). 9 February 2018. Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  43. ^ "Unified Korea dragon boat team win historic gold at Asian Games". AS.com. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  44. ^ "In Tallinn, Mihara reclaims Four Continents title; U.S. pairs finish 1–2". 25 January 2022.
  45. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Celldweller & Atlas Plug (10 March 2016), Killer Instinct Season 3 – Creating the Music for "Kim Wu", retrieved 8 February 2020[better source needed]
  46. ^ "Geoff Knorr's Facebook Page". Facebook. Retrieved 26 January 2018.[better source needed]
  47. ^ "Youtube Link Page". YouTube. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
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