Big Citizens (1990s)
(Music)
伟大的工程要建三百年
The greatest project needs to be constructed for 300 years
区区的小事
Compare to this
六年国建
The Six Year National Construction Project (1991-1997) is such little case.
小小的岛国
It is really a small island.
肮脏的台北
Taipei is a dirty city
贪官污吏 一手遮天
Where corrupt government officials control everything and hoodwink the public.
美丽的谎言
The beautiful lie
说过多少遍
How many times is it going to be said?
说来说去
Back and forth
从来没实现
It never comes true.
宣传的口号
The slogan which has been broadcasted every day
说大家都有钱
is everyone will be rich.
贫富的差距
However, the great wealth gap
假装没看见
is that they pretend not to see.
这不再是个适合好人住的岛
It is no longer an island that suits for good people to live.
礼义廉耻没有钞票重要
Money becomes more important than honesty and honor.
这不再是个适合穷人住的岛
It is no longer an island that suits for poor people to live
一辈子的辛苦连个房子都买不到
They struggled for whole lives, but cannot afford a place to live finally.
嗨~嗬~嗨~嗬~嗨嗬~嗨嗬~嗨嗬~嗨嗬
~ Hol~Hol~Hol
大家辛苦啦 Everyone, it is too hard.
(music)
两岸不通航
Because of the embargo issue between the Mainland and Taiwan,
辜汪谈一谈
here comes the Go-Wong Conference (4-27-1993).
谈判像谈天
But the negotiation is just like a chat
还是没主张
There is no any constructive proposal
1997要解放香港
In 1997, the Mainland will liberate Hong Kong
日不落帝国
They are willing to see that the empire on which the sun never sets
向中国投降
surrenders to China
有人搞台独
Someone is planning the Taiwan Independence
没人来帮忙
But there are few people to support it.
放眼看大陆
Have a look at the situation in the Mainland
遍地是台商
There are Taiwanese businesses everywhere.
台湾的未来 究竟会怎样
What is the future of Taiwan going to be?
政府和人民
The government and citizens,
大家还在想
are still considering about it.
这不再是个强人统治下的岛
It is no longer a island whose governers are powerful.
生存和面子问题哪个重要
Which one is more important, survival or glory?
这不再是个明天会更好的岛
It is no longer a good island where there is a better tomorrow.
何去何从二千万同胞
What are we going to do, my 20 million citizens?
(music)
嗨~嗬~嗨~嗬~嗨嗬~嗨嗬~
Hol~Hol~Hol
I cannot remember the exactly years of this song published, but what I can only remember is the singer was arrested by Taiwan authority that year and had vanished for many years.
When he showed up on the screen again several years later, I surprisingly found that he was singing with crutches.
He lamed, but he still persist in singing out the voices of common people.
I don't know what happened to him, and he never told the truth of the accident to public.
Yet, we could guess what happened in that dark jail.......
He is not only a singer; he is also a fighter!
Saluting to Mr Zheng.
Nice lyrics! Like thelling some part of the story of their country.
ReplyDeleteHal,
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing song, and an amazing story to go with it, too. The lyrics are very powerful. I especially related to the part about the "beautiful lie" through the end of that stanza. Often, I feel that way here. I got chills when I read about what happened to Mr. Zheng. It is amazing to me that people can be so brave, and can continue their important work knowing what has and may yet happen to them at any day. It's inspiring.
Also, do you know The Clash's "London Calling?" The song reminded me a bit of that, and I wondered if The Clash might have been a model for this song, or whether you knew who his musical(political) influences were? Thanks.
Jess
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, 'London Calling' is one of my favoriate Punk songs which i used to listen day and night during college. but i never consider the similarity between 'London Calling' and 'big citizens'. when i compared them again, i found they are really a little bit similar, not the only the style of powerful lyrics of critical realism, the tune of their music and also the tone the singers sang them----a little depress and a little helplessness.
Actually, i did not know Zheng's musical influences. Because of his sad experience and isolated personality, he rarely recieved the interview of the media and we know little about his personal stuff. But I know he have been inspired by much tradtional Birthish Rock music in the 60'S and 70's. He said his favoriate band is the Beatles.
Hal,
ReplyDeleteI should have known you liked The Clash! I was struck right a way by the similarities that you found. I wish I could find out a little bit more about Zheng. Maybe I can do some research over spring break!