Top 10 Classic Anti-Japanese Songs

Songs has the magic to soothe and heal, even during wartime. Many excellent songs were created during the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression about 70 years ago. These songs have accompanied the Chinese people through some tough times. Some of them are also regarded as classics of China’s musical heritage.

1. The March of the Volunteers 《义勇军进行曲》

March of the Volunteers is the national anthem if China. It was written in 1935 by the poet and playwright Tian Han, and the composer Nie Er.

2. On Songhua River 《松花江上》

On Songhua River is a patriotic song from the Second Sino-Japanese War. The song describes the life of people who live in the Northeast China after the 9·18 Incident. It was written and composed by Zhang Hanhui.

3. March of the Broadsword《大刀进行曲》

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, the heroic deeds of the Broadsword Detachment of the Chinese 29th Army greatly encouraged the Chinese people around the country. The enlighten youth Sun Peiyuan created this song with patriotic fervor.

4. Yellow River Cantata 《黄河大合唱》

Being inspired by a patriotic poem by Guang Weiran, Chinese composer Xian Xinghai (1905–1945) composed this great song in Yan’an in early 1939 during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

5. The Military Anthem of the Eighth Route Army 《八路军进行曲》

The Military Anthem of the Eighth Route Army is a patriotic song of China. This song was written by Gong Mu, musiced by Zheng Lücheng.

6. Song of Guerilla《游击队之歌》

The Song of Guerilla is a patriotic song in The War of Resistance Against Japan. The song describes the guerrilla fighters of the Chinese Communist Party. It was written and composed musiced by He lüting.

7. Wang Erxiao, The Herdboy《歌唱二小放牛郎》

The song Wang Erxiao, The Herdboy tells a story about a 13-year-old herd boy called Wang Erxiao from Pingshan County. The boy led Japanese invaders to the ambush of the Chinese army and then was killed by the angry invaders. This song was written by Fang Bing, musiced by Jie Fu.

8.  Unity is Strength 《团结就是力量》

In 1943, Lu Su and Mu Hong, who worked in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei border area, wrote a small opera about the struggle of reduction of rent and interest. This song is the finale of the opera.

9. Ode to Yan’an 《延安颂》

The song was created in 1938 by lyricist Zheng Lucheng and composer Mo Ye. At that time many young people in Kuomintang-controlled areas marched on towards Yan`an singing this song, capital of the Communist Party from 1936 to 1948.

10. Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China 《没有共产党就没有新中国》

Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China is a popular Communist song in China, which originated in 1943 to praise Chinese Communist Party for its greatest contributions to New China.