The official English lyrics to the song “Marching for our Beloved, which has been making the headlines recently, was translated in 2014 by English literature professor Robert David Grotjohn of Chonnam National University, in joint efforts with Gwangju Cultural Foundation and Gwangju International Center.

The song was first written in the ’80s for a spirit wedding of activist Yoon Sang-won who died in the Gwangju Democratic Uprising on May 18, 1980, and his beloved Park Gi-soon, who had passed away a couple of years before him due to carbon monoxide poisoning. She was a labor rights activist.

Over time, the song has taken on a symbolic meaning, representing and assuaging the grief of those who died fighting for their democratic rights in the May Uprising. It had been the cause of conflict between progressives and conservatives, with the latter reluctant to designate it as the official anthem for the May 18 ceremony.

“Marching for our Beloved”

Lyrics by Baek Gi-wan
Composed by Kim Jong-ryul
Translated by Robert David Grotjohn 


Verse1

We will leave no honors, no love, no fame.
We promised to keep working on, long as we shall live
Streams and mountains remember though the years pass by
Waken’d spirits are calling us as they shout this cry:
“We are marching on; keep faith n follow us.”
“We are marking on; keep faith n follow us.”

Verse2

Dear comrades have gone; our flag still waves.
While working for days to come we will not be swayed
Streams and mountains remember though the years pass by
Waken’d spirits are calling us as they shout this cry:
“We are marching on; keep faith n follow us.”
“We are marking on; keep faith n follow us.”
 

The above lyrics have been slightly modified to fit the scores. Following is the direct translation of the original Korean lines done by The Korea Herald. 

Verse1

Our passionate oaths to march for our lifetime
Until we have no love, honor, or name left to claim for ourselves
The river and the mountain remembers, despite the passing of years
Our heated cry upon our awakening
We are marching on; those who are alive, come follow us
We are marching on; those who are alive, come follow us

Verse2

With no comrades left to be seen, only the flag alone flutters
Let us not be swayed until the new day comes
The river and the mountain remembers, despite the passing of years
Our heated cry upon our awakening
We are marching on; those who are alive, come follow us
We are marching on; those who are alive, come follow us

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)