Aegukga

Aegukga (Hangeul: 애국가; Hanja: 愛國歌) is the national anthem of South Korea. The title literally means "The Song of Love for the Country," or "The Patriotic Song."

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, a pro-independence leader and educator. Initially, Aegukga was sung to the Scottish folk tune Auld Lang Syne. During the Japanese Colonial Period (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 Government of the Republic of Korea (1919-1945) in Shanghai, China. Aegukga was sung at a ceremony celebrating the founding of the Republic of Korea on 15 August 1948. However, the song has never officially been 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

External links

• MIDI File
• South Korean government article