Gong Xi, Gong Xi – A Celebratory Song with a Dark History

Gong Xi, Gong Xi is a staple Lunar New Year song, sung all around the globe. ‘Gong Xi, Gong Xi’ translates directly to ‘congratulations, congratulations.’ Written by Chen Gexin in 1945, this song doesn’t resemble other Lunar New Year music. Its minor key gives the celebratory song a distinct somber tone and alludes to its dark history.

Gong Xi, Gong Xi was written in response to Japan’s defeat following the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-45) – a conflict between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan that lasted eight years and took an estimated 20 million lives. The war had a devastating impact on China. It was during this period that the infamous Rape of Nanking took place. Gexin himself was jailed by the Japanese during the war for writing patriotic songs. It is likely that the war affected Gexin and influenced his music. The composition of the song in a minor key, in contrast to its celebratory lyrics, might represent Gexin’s complex feelings following the end of the war, resulting from the losses and guilt that many of those who survived experienced.

So how did this wartime song become associated with the Lunar New Year? The song’s title, ‘Gong Xi, Gong Xi’ is a common New Year greeting. The lyrics of the song also include many mentions of the arrival of spring, which is symbolic of the arrival of the New Year. Learning about the history behind the song sheds new light on many of the lyrics. I’ve included them below:

Sources:

Mama Lisa’s World: https://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=3697
Resonate: https://www.weareresonate.com/2017/01/gong-xi-gong-xi-chinese-new-year-song-dark-history/
Says: https://says.com/my/lifestyle/the-dark-history-of-the-iconic-cny-song-gong-xi-gong-xi