Morning Music: Part I

Part of life here in Dazhai is the music we hear every day. We got our first taste of unbearable Chinese pop music at 6:30am on the first day of school, September 1st. I specifically remember the four of us talking later that day about a) how we couldn't believe they played music for 45 minutes in the morning, b) how loud the music was, and c) how awful it sounded.

Each morning, a reveille plays to wake the students (and me) up. Under the previous principal, the song below played. It's titled "真心英雄" (Sincere Hero, or "A Hero Never Dies" as the commercial, non-direct translation). The version our school played was sung by a large group, including the ever-popular Jackie Chan. I hated it at first, but it slowly grew on me and I eventually bought it on iTunes. Much to Gareth's chagrin, I would play it in the hotel rooms we shared when I was missing the daily Dazhai ritual.

No popular pop songs are allowed, just songs that are classic, inspirational, or (I think) so difficult to listen to that the students' souls are broken and they behave. As for the last point, it's unfortunately only having that effect on the teachers and not the students.

See the "Sincere Hero" video below, then scroll further down to see the lyrics. The music is certainly bad, and the lyrics are certainly "inspirational." As mentioned above, I'd say since Jackie Chan sings in it, it's automatically a classic. 3/3!

English lyrics:

In my mind there was a dream
I used my song to make you forget all of your pain
Who is the real hero of bright stars
Ordinary people give me the most great feelings
No more hate and no more pain
But between sincere people, the traces of love are everywhere
Use our song to make you sincerely smile
I wish that your life henceforth is different from everyone else's
Seize every minute of life
Use all of your energy to achieve the dreams of our hearts
If you don't go through storms, how can you see a rainbow?
Nobody can casually succeed
Seize every touching moment of life
And passionately embrace your beloved friends
Let sincere words and happy tears
Flow throughout both my heart and yours

Chinese Lyrics:

在我心中曾经有一个梦
要用歌声让你忘了所有的痛
灿烂星空谁是真的英雄
平凡的人们给我最多感动
再没有恨也没有了痛
但愿人间处处都有爱的影踪
用我们的歌换你真心笑容
祝福你的人生从此与众不同
把握生命里的每一分钟
全力以赴我们心中的梦
不经历风雨怎么见彩虹
没有人能随随便便成功
把握生命里每一次感动
和心爱的朋友热情相拥
让真心的话和开心的泪
在你我的心底流动