March of the Dolls

March of the Dolls () is an international anthem written by the noted artist and writer Lee Shi-min with music composed by the same. The composition in D-major is a MusicAL march in 3/4 time which the artist has affectionately termed a "dollonaise" or a slow march-like dance for young women in the grand, dignified, triumphant tradition of the polonaise. Its original lyrics are the official lyrics of the international anthem.

Origins as International Anthem

March of the Dolls was written by Lee Shi-min in 2008 in the People's Republic of China era during development of his Dangdai series. Popular stories suggest that he wrote it on xuan paper while executing an ink and wash work. The song became the theme song for his Dangdai Dolls: The Great Doll of China series and characters and subsequent storybook Dangdai Dolls: A Journey Through the Dynasties, AbOUT twelve vivacious young women from the Vernal Village of Dangdai, blessed with a trinity of gifts - those of eternal youth, flight upon associated animals, and the ability to go backwards in space and time, as they travel through the colourful art, history and culture of China from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period more than 2,000 years ago to the present-day Dang dynasty.

Historical Context and Meaning

Chinese contemporary artist Lee Shi-min released his March of the Dolls international Anthem In advance of, and to commemorate and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on 1 October 1949.

The critically acclaimed art anthem accompanies the twelve Dangdai Dolls: The Great Doll of the China, based on the artist’s Dangdai serial works, in what some consider a lyrical initiative to promote original Chinese art, design and culture as well as an underscoring of China’s continuing reform and opening up policy initiated in December 1978.

Unlike the March of the Volunteers, China’s national anthem, the March of the Dolls is not a call to bear arms nor resistance against invading forces but an allegory for cross-cultural understanding, exchange and embrace, open-minded, tolerant, caring societies, and local, global and universal harmony.

The anthem is written in both Classical Chinese and Vernacular Chinese.

Official Lyrics (current and original)

Traditional

Simplified

Pin-yin

English Translation

Cōng bĕi dào nán,
Cōng dōng dào xī,
Xúnzhăo zhòng dì dāngdài wáwa,
Zài fàngkāi shuāngshŏu huānyíng nĭ,
Yī gè wēixiào,
Yī gè dàxiào,
Yī qiè shùnlì!
Yóu zŏu de dāngdài wáwa yŏu diăn fēngkuáng,
Zŏu guò rèqíng de dĭngyì,
Qí guò bōtāo de xióngfēng,
Zŏu guò hăilàng,
Yuè guò shāduī shítou,
Xún zhăo zuì xīn de yīzhuó cháoliú!
Chuàng yì de fēnggé chéngxiàn,
Guān zhòng de qīwàng,
Liú shēnkè de yìnxiàng,
Yōu yăjīng diăn de shèjì,
Liú fàng wú jìn de yìniàn!
Dāngdài wáwa yāo,
Xīn shăngzhĕ jì xùlái,
Kàn zuì xīn de chuàngzuò,
Xiăng chū de ài héqíng!
Xiànzài jiùzuò xialái,
Fàngsōng de xiūxi bā,
Hĕn gāoxìng yŏu gè guìbīn,
Tóngbàn huìyì lái zhèngshí,
Dāngdài wáwa zhēn yŏu fú!

From north to south, east to west,
Dangdai Dolls are on a quest,
To welcome you with open arms,
A smile, a laugh, and all the best!
Dangdai Dolls march on possessed,
By passions to ride upon a crest,
Of waves, stones, sand-washed bones,
Always looking freshly dressed!
Inventions of style are so expressed,
That viewers desire and are impressed,
By the grace and elegance of designs,
Flowing from a fountain of minds!
Dangdai Dolls have one request:
Admirers visit and keep abreast,
Of latest creations to leave the nest,
Ideas alive with love and zest!
Sit and relax now, take a rest,
We’re pleased to have a special guest,
Company and conversation do attest:
Dangdai Dolls are truly blessed!

See also

  • Historical Chinese anthems

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