President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao of China
Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy
There was much ado made about Michelle Obama’s “Communist-red” dress at the White House state dinner, held in honor of China’s President Hu Jintao – but perhaps there should have been more fuss about who was performing and what he was going to perform.
According to the Daily Mail, some Chinese, unlike many conservative Americans, have been exulting in the pianist’s song choice.
“‘Those American folks very much enjoyed it and were totally infatuated with the melody!!! The US is truly stupid!!’ wrote one China-based blogger.
‘In the eyes of all Chinese, this will not be seen as anything other than a big insult to the U.S,” said Yang Jingduan, a Chinese psychiatrist based in Philadelphia. ‘It’s like insulting you in your face and you don’t know it, it’s humiliating.’”
According to the L.A. Times, Lang Lang isn’t apologizing for his choice of song – he has stated that his selection was due to national pride, as well as a fondness for the melody. To his credit, Lang Lang did not sing the offending lyrics or make any reference to its political nature beyond stating the title of the song.
And not everyone is offended – White House spokesperson Tommy Vietor told ABC News that “any suggestion that this was an insult to the United States is just flat wrong.”
Lyrics after the jump:
My Motherland Lyrics
Large billowing waves on this big river, Wind blowing the fragrant paddies of both banks, There is my house on the bank,
Where I can hear the usual boatman’s song As the boat with white sail passes by.
This is my beautiful Motherland, The land of my birth.
On this vast expanse of land, Everywhere is beautiful scenery.
A damsel is like a flower, That refreshes youthful mind, Scaling heaven and earth, Waking the slumbering mountain, As the river changes the scenery.
This heroine Motherland Is where I was brought up, In this ancient land of youthful strength.
Good mountain, water and place, That radiate tranquillity and happiness. There are good wines for friends who come, And if there be wolves and jackals, We greet them with hunting rifle.
This is my big and powerful Motherland The land of my birth.
On this vast land peace radiates!
