Arise! Arise! Arise!

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BEIJING -- I’ve been looking for translations of the Chinese national anthem, which I’ve heard five times so far at the gymnastics venue for the men’s and women’s team gold medalists, for Yang Wei in the men’s individual all-around, for Xiao Qin on pommel horse and for Zou Kai on floor exercise. With six more event finals still to come over the next two nights at the National Indoor Stadium, I suspect I’ll hear it again.

Xaio gave a crisp military salute during his solo appearance on the podium Sunday night and afterward said he had planned that tribute because he has been a soldier.

This seems to be the translation I’ve uncovered the most frequently:

‘Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves;

With our very flesh and blood Let us build our new Great Wall!

The Peoples of China are in the most critical time, Everybody must roar his defiance.

Arise! Arise! Arise! Millions of hearts with one mind,

Brave the enemy’s gunfire, March on! Brave the enemy’s gunfire,

March on! March on! March on, on!’

Can anyone tell me if that’s accurate? Rumor has it that after gymnastics I may be covering some diving. If so I think I may be able to sing along pretty soon.

-- Diane Pucin

Correction: An earlier version of this post inadvertently identified the athlete in the photo above as Zou Kai. The saluting gymnast is Xiao Qin.

of China salutes during the playing of the national anthem. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas / US Presswire