Lion Rock
1. Below the Lion Rock ("獅子山下") (1979) is considered by many to be the unofficial anthem of Hong Kong.
It is originally the theme song of a RTHK TV drama of the same name.
("RTHK" is Radio Television Hong Kong.)
The reason why many considered Below the Lion Rock (1979) to be the unofficial anthem is because not only does the lyrics reflect the values of post Second World War Hong Kong, this song actually has played a part in the formation of Hong Kong self-identity in the 1980s and 1990s.
2. The history of post Second World War Hong Kong can be divide into four periods:
(a) 1945 to 1967:
1945 was the end of the Second World War.
There were two separate riots in Hong Kong in the 1960s.
The 1966 riots had to do with the economy and dissatisfaction over British colonial rule.
The 1967 leftist riots was basically a spill-over from the Cultural Revolution in China.
Economically, the majority of the people of Hong Kong during this period were in the lower class.
(b) 1968 to 1984:
1984 was the year of the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in Beijing.
Hong Kong people knew for certain that year that sovereignty will return to China.
The Hong Kong economy was booming during this period and many people moved into the middle class.
(c) 1985 to 1997:
1997 was the year the sovereignty of Hong Kong was returned to China.
The general tenor during this period in Hong Kong was one of anxiety and uncertainty.
The anxiety was caused by the uncertainty over how China will rule over Hong Kong.
There were waves of immigration to western countries.
On the whole, the economy of Hong Kong was doing very well.
(d) 1998 to 2014:
2014 is the year of the Umbrella Revolution.
Between 1997 and 2014, China has basically kept its promise of respecting "One Country, Two Systems".
Many Hong Kong people who has immigrated to other countries has migrated back to Hong Kong.
The one policy since 1997 that has a long term impact on Hong Kong is that China has mandated 150 people will be allowed to "immigrate" to Hong Kong on a daily basis.
The people of Hong Kong has no say on the matter and the Government of Hong Kong does not have the power to screen the "immigrants".
Although still doing well on the surface, Hong Kong during this period faced increasing competition from other Chinese cities.
3. Lion Rock is a landmark in Hong Kong.
It is visible throughout Kowloon peninsula and the north side of Hong Kong Island.
"Below the Lion Rock" is where the majority of Hong Kong people lived.
James Wong wrote the lyrics of this song and the lyrics expressed the values and aspirations of post War Hong Kong.
The singer of this song is Roman Tam.
4. Below the Lion Rock by Roman Tam:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxmuQ9A0ru4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twV8deBOMwI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASXwFoKnwLk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErazHn-xBvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKMC4whUKGI
Roman Tam and his student Joey Yung:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_-EPT76hdQ
This is just the music with some old photos of Hong Kong:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYLTWjfcgWs
5. The Lyrics in Traditional Chinese:
獅子山下 -- 羅文
人生中有歡喜
難免亦常有淚
我地大家在獅子山下相遇上
總算是歡笑多於唏噓
人生不免崎嶇
難以絕無掛慮
既是同舟在獅子山下且共濟
拋棄區分求共對
* 放開彼此心中矛盾
理想一起去追
同舟人 誓相隨
無畏更無懼
# 同處海角天邊
攜手踏平崎嶇
我地大家用艱辛努力寫下那
不朽香江名句
Repeat *, #
6. The Lyrics in Simplified Chinese:
狮子山下 -- 罗文
人生中有欢喜
难免亦常有泪
我地大家在狮子山下相遇上
总算是欢笑多于唏嘘
人生不免崎岖
难以绝无挂虑
既是同舟在狮子山下且共济
抛弃区分求共对
* 放开彼此心中矛盾
理想一起去追
同舟人 誓相随
无畏更无惧
# 同处海角天边
携手踏平崎岖
我地大家用艰辛努力写下那
不朽香江名句
Repeat *, #
7. Names, Words and Phrases:
James Wong (Traditional Chinese: 黃霑; Simplified Chinese: 黄霑).
Joey Yung (Traditional: 容祖兒; Simplified: 容祖儿).
Roman Tam (Traditional: 羅文; Simplified: 罗文).
RTHK (Traditional: 香港電台; Simplified: 香港电台).
References:
"Hong Kong 1966 riots", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_1966_riots
(accessed 2014-10-08).
"Hong Kong 1967 Leftist riots", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_1967_Leftist_riots
(accessed 2014-10-08).
"Sino-British Joint Declaration", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sino-British_Joint_Declaration
(accessed 2014-10-08).
"獅子山下 (歌曲)", Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hk/%E7%8D%85%E5%AD%90%E5%B1%B1%E4%B8%8B_%28%E6%AD%8C%E6%9B%B2%29
(accessed 2014-10-08).
End.
