Song after the earthquake in China

Wang Pingjiu, one of the staff from the Cultural Activities Department of The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), wrote the lyrics to “Be Together, Alive or Not” on May 14, 2008, two days after the deadly Wenchuan earthquake in southwest China, to specially express his mourning over the deaths and his prayer for the trapped in the earthquake.

Wang Pingjiu, one of the staff from the Cultural Activities Department of The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), wrote the lyrics for “Be Together, Alive or Not” on May 14, 2008, two days after the deadly Wenchuan earthquake in southwest China, to specially express his mourning over the deaths and his prayer for the trapped in the earthquake. The lyric gained tremendous response from all social sectors soon after is was broadcasted on CCTV singing by movie star Mr. Jackie Chan. I am moved to tears at the first reading of this lyrics and thus try here to translate it into English to share the profound love on this earthquake-stricken land with more international friends who are concerned about or helping with the relief.  — Pan Keren

Listen to Song on Windows Media Player

Be Together, Alive or Not

 

Sung by Jackie Chan

 

Lyrics by Wang Pingjiu

Translated by Pan Keren

 

Be together, alive or not, for there rests your dream so quiet
Dream of continuing a life
The sky has lost its beauty, but still you wait to stand up, try after try
Wherever you are, I’ll spare no expense to find you 
Miracles are made by veins of mankind
And right engraved in my blood is your cry