I just came across another music video for the same song, Welcome to Beijing, made by retirees in Heze (菏泽), Shandong province. This is a knockoff of the one made by the celebrities that I posted in the last entry. I enjoyed both. Lyrics at the end of this post.It is not uncommon in China for cities to have a retiree or senior citizens university (老年人大学). It provides a place for them to socialize, learn and practice crafts, photography, calligraphy, traditional music and opera, movie discussions and such, hobbies that they didn’t have time to do before. I bet they had fun making this music video.
Heze is a city just a little bit west of my hometown. Its claim to fame is that it is the capital of peony flowers in China. I believe it is also home to 水泊梁山, the setting to one of the classic Chinese novels, 水浒传. I can certainly tell the hint of the southern Shandong accent during their singing. Y’know, every time I hear my local dialect spoken, I get that warm and fuzzy feeling of home. Heze’s version of Mandarin is a tad different from my hometown’s, but it is close enough.
Another thing that put Heze on the map is that it has the first biomass power plant in China. The power plant is located in Shan Xian 单县, a county within the Heze Municipality. Here is a video about it, courtesy of the Green Brothers from China’s Green Beat.
Here is the translation of the lyrics for Welcome to Beijing. I copied it from here, with my own modifications to make it more accurate, in my view. Translation is not easy, the poetic beauty in the Chinese version is hard to come across without a lot of thought and time.
Lyrics 歌词:
Let’s embrace another morning and enjoy its ever new air.
(Ying jie ling yi ge chen xi, dai lai quan xin kong qi.)
迎接另一个晨曦，带来全新空气。
With the fragrance of tea, it smells different. But it feels great, full of friendship.
气息改变情味不变，茶香飘满情谊。
Our door is always open. We are waiting for you with open arms.
我家大门常打开，开放怀抱等你。
After a big hug, we’ll feel closer to each other. And surely you will love this place.
拥抱过就有了默契，你就会爱上这里。
Our guests, no matter where you come from, please make yourself at home.
不管远近都是客人，请不用客气。
We promised to get together here. So welcome!
相约好了在一起，我们欢迎你。
We cultivate Chinese Evergreen in the garden. All the time, it is producing a new legend.
我家种着万年青，开放每段传奇。
In the soil rich in traditions, we plant. Hope everything we plant here leaves you with a great experience.
为传统的土壤播种，为你留下回忆。
Our guests, no matter we’ve met before or not, please feel at ease.
陌生熟悉都是客人，请不用拘礼。
Even if you have been here for many times, we still have a lot to talk about.
第几次来没关系，有太多话题。
Welcome to Beijing; we will open a new world for you.
北京欢迎你，为你开天辟地。
Its vibrant charm is full of vitality.
流动中的魅力，充满着朝气。
Welcome to Beijing; let’s breathe together in the sunshine.
北京欢迎你，在太阳下分享呼吸.
Let’s establish new records here in China.
在黄土地刷新成绩！
Our door is always open. We are open armed, ready to embrace the world.
我家大门常打开，开怀容纳天地。
5000-year-old China is flashing a youthful smile, waiting for the day.
岁月绽放青春笑容，迎接这个日期。
Our guests, no matter where you come from, please feel at home.
天大地大都是朋友，请不用客气。
We paint pictures and write poems to express the joy for your coming.
画意诗意带笑意，只为等待你。
Welcome to Beijing; like moving music, our hospitality will warm your heart.
北京欢迎你，像音乐感动你。
Let’s try to challenge ourselves.
让我们都加油去超越自己。
Welcome to Beijing; people who have dreams are all bravo.
北京欢迎你，有梦想谁都了不起。
If only you keep the courage, miracles will happen.
有勇气就会有奇迹。