Song of the Yellow Bird
Song of the Yellow Bird (Korean: 황조가; Hanja: 黃鳥歌, Hwangjoga) is the oldest known Korean song[1] and was written by Yuri of Goguryeo in 17 B.C. It was written lamenting the loss of one of his wives who left his household following a quarrel with another of his wives. While Yuri of Goguryeo was away hunting, his second wife, Chihui, who was Han Chinese, was scolded by his first wife, Hwa hui: “How can you be so rude even though you are only a concubine?"[2] Chihui left the household, never to return. Missing her greatly, Yuri of Goguryeo wrote this song.[3]
| Author | Yuri of Goguryeo |
|---|---|
| Original title | 황조가 |
| Country | Korea |
| Language | Classical Chinese |
Publication date | 17 BC |
A Chinese translation of Song of the Yellow Bird is recorded in the Samguk Sagi.
Song Structure
One day, Yuri of Goguryeo saw a couple of yellow birds (Oriolus chinensis), and wrote the Song of the Yellow Bird.[4]
- 翩翩黃鳥，
- 雌雄相依。
- 念我之獨，
- 誰其與歸?
Orioles fly smoothly
Female and male cuddle close together
Thinking of my loneliness
Whom shall I go with?
References
- Doosan Encyclopedia 치희 雉姬. Doosan Encyclopedia.
- 河村啓介 (2012-04-28). 韓国時代劇秘話 王朝を揺るがす男と女の物語. Gakken. p. 17. ISBN 978-4054053212.
- Academy of Korean Studies 치희 雉姬. Academy of Korean Studies.
- 河村啓介 (2012-04-28). 韓国時代劇秘話 王朝を揺るがす男と女の物語. Gakken. p. 20. ISBN 978-4054053212.
External links
