Qing National Anthem 鞏金甌

Gong Jin'ou (鞏金甌, lit. "Cup of Solid Gold") was the first official national anthem of China, though it was used only for a short time due to the Republic of China overthrowing the Qing Dynasty.

The song was composed by Bo Tong (溥侗), a high-ranking officer of the Imperial Guard. The lyrics, in Classical Chinese, were penned by Yan Fu, commander of the Qing Navy. Guo Cengxin (郭曾炘), Master of Ceremonies, made some minor adjustments and arranged the music. Gong Jin'ou was adopted by the Qing government on the 13th Day and 8th Month of the 3rd Year of the Xuantong Emperor's reign (October 4, 1911). However, only six days later was the Wuchang Uprising, which effectively led to the end of the Qing Dynasty with the declaration of the Republic of China on January 1, 1912 and the abdication of the emperor on February 12, 1912. As a result, the anthem never gained any notability.

Chinese lyrics

鞏金甌，

承天幬，

民物欣鳧藻，

喜同袍，

清時幸遭。

真熙皞，

帝國蒼穹保。

天高高，

海滔滔。

Hanyu Pinyin

Gǒng jīn'ōu

Chéng tiānchóu,

Mínwù xīn fúzǎo,

Xǐ tóngbāo,

Qīng shí xìngzāo.

Zhēn xī hào,

Dìguó cāngqióng bǎo.

Tiān gāogāo,

Hǎi tāotāo.

English translation

Solidify our golden empire,

Underneath the aegis of heaven,

All of civilization will cease to toil,

United in happiness and mirth,

As long as the Qing rules.

Our empire is emblazoned by light,

And our boundaries are vast and preserved.

The expanse stretches infinitely,

The sea brims with turbulence.