Arms and Armour

Hymn to the Fallen (Jiu Ge)

"Hymn to the Fallen" (traditional Chinese: 國殤; simplified Chinese: 国殇; pinyin: Guó shāng; lit. 'National casualties') is a Classical Chinese poem which has been preserved in the Jiu Ge section of the ancient Chinese poetry anthology, Chu Ci. Despite the "nine" in the title, the number of these pieces actually consists of eleven separate songs, or elegies. The verses appear to represent shamanistic dramatic practices of the Yangzi River valley area involving the invocation of divine beings and seeking their blessings through courtship. The lyrics are part of a religious drama performance, however the lack of stage directions or indications of who is supposed to be singing at any one time or whether some of the lines represent lines for a chorus makes an accurate reconstruction of how the drama is to be performed uncertain. There are internal textual clues such as spectacular costumes for the performers, and an extensive orchestra. Although not precisely dated, "Hymn to the Fallen" dates from the end of the late the Warring States period (221 BCE), with possible revisions in the Han dynasty, particularly during the reign of Han Wudi, during 141 to 87 BCE. The poem has been translated into English by David Hawkes as "Hymn to the Fallen", while the literal meaning of "Guó Shāng" is a hymn to soldiers killed in war. Guó (國) means the "state", "kingdom", or "nation". Shāng (殤) means to "die young". Put together, the title refers to those who meet death in the course of fighting for their country. David Hawkes describes it as "surely one of the most beautiful laments for fallen soldiers in any language".

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See also

• ▸2nd Infantry Division (United Kingdom)
• ▸Adoration of the Shepherds (Parmigianino)
• ▸Dhrishtadyumna

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