The Chinese People
(Origin of Characters · Verse Version)
Verse 1
On oracle bones a flag stands tall,
Marks the center, one and all.
Straight as an arrow, true and sound,
This is ZHONG, where heart and honor bound.
Bronze scripts build walls around the land,
Guarded by arms, our home to stand.
Within the border, people thrive;
This is GUO, through endless time alive.
A figure formed by left and right,
Stands 'twixt the earth and sky upright.
The noblest soul beneath the sun,
This is REN, till all our days are done.
Verse 2
He Zun inscription tells our tale:
I dwell in China, never fail.
Books of old record our fate,
Huaxia blood runs deep and great.
Records of history light our way,
From ancient clans to modern day.
Through storms of time, our spirit strong,
The Chinese People stand among the throng.
Chorus
ZHONG is the center, just and true,
GUO is our homeland, me and you.
REN stands with honor, firm and whole —
Together we are the Chinese soul.
With heart in middle, home in nation,
With dignity and grace elation.
Our culture roots, our blood unbroken —
This is the spirit of the Chinese spoken.
Bridge
Rule with balance, peace to all bring,
State and family as one thing.
Heaven, earth, and man unite,
Strive for virtue, reach new height.
Who joins our culture joins our race,
Harmony not sameness embraces.
Balance and wisdom guide our way,
Civilization lights our day.
Ending
From central lands we rise with grace,
In culture bound, in faith we place.
Center, nation, people — heart and core,
Stars rise in East, dragon soars more.
With middle as our guiding creed,
With nation as our deepest need,
With people as our living soul —
This is what makes us whole:
The Chinese People.