Millions Singing With One Voice on July 1, 1997

The Better Hong Kong Foundation announced the introduction of “Karaoke ?Millions Singing With One Voice” into the programme of the Hong Kong 1997 Spectacular to be held on July 1 on Victoria Harbour. Conducted on the historic occasion of Hong Kong first day of unification with China, the Karaoke session will allow millions of local people to sing as one Chinese songs that reflect their passion for Hong Kong, and in doing so, to create a world record.

“Karaoke ?Millions Singing With One Voice,” will be an interlude contributing nine minutes to the 35-minute flotilla Sea of Life session. Seven Chinese songs familiar to the people of Hong Kong: Pearl of the Orient, The New Moon, Under the Lion Rock, Red Cotton Tree, Tomorrow Will Be A Better Day, Children of the Dragon and China Dream, ( click here to download song) will be linked into a medley and played about half-way after the start of the flotilla.

The Chief Executive of the Better Hong Kong Foundation, Concept Initiator and Executive Director of the Hong Kong 97 Spectacular, Ms Leonie Ki, said: “We have selected these seven songs, not only because of their delightful melodies, but also because their lyrics reflect Hong Kong people stamina, intelligence and optimism.”

“Children of the Dragon and China Dream both wish for the joint development of Hong Kong and China and reflect our hopes of a brighter and more promising future after the handover.”

In the evening of July 1, six local electronic media, including ATV, Cable TV, Hong Kong Commercial Radio, Metro Radio, Radio Television Hong Kong and TVB will broadcast the Spectacular show live. In addition, the stations will allocate time from their daily programmes to promote and encourage participation in the Karaoke session.

The Better Hong Kong Foundation Advisory Council Chairman Henry Cheng, stressed: “The purpose of introducing “Karaoke – Millions Singing with One Voice ” is to promote a sense of togetherness and participation.”

Hong Kong 97 Spectacular itself is a vivid revelation of the assembly of strengths and enthusiasm, which brings together the best features and talents of all those dedicated to Hong Kong and its community. The Spectacular is sponsored by 40 local and Chinese enterprises and multi-internationals. Their support reflects the fact that the business community has confidence in Hong Kong future and has a long-term commitment to the development of the territory. Significantly, the organiser has also been assisted by the governments of China, Hong Kong, as well as the future SAR government.

“Karaoke ?Millions Singing With One Voice” is sponsored by Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. Lyric leaflets will be printed and available from the company branches and properties, the 400 branches of the Bank of China, the main stations of the six major electronic media, and all HMV branches in Hong Kong. The music television video of the medley will be broadcasted in all HMV branches.

AC Nielsen SRH has also volunteered to conduct an extensive telephone survey on July 2, to assess the total number of people who have enjoyed the show and participated in the Karaoke session. The statistics collected will be passed on to the relevant organisation for consideration to be a possible world record.

Lyrics

Pearl of the Orient

A small river meandering due south

Flowing towards Hong Kong to take a glance

Pearl of the Orient – my lover

Is thy grace bearing the same as before?

Crescent moon overhanging the harbour

Moonlit sky above shimmering lights

Pearl of the Orient staying awake

Standing by promises which have survived many changes

Swayed by sea breezes for five millennia

Each and every drop of thy tears tell us thy dignity

May the tides accompany my blessings for thee

Never forget the everlasting Chinese face of mine……….

The New Moon

Softly and tenderly like drifting snow and frost

Permeating the gauzy window pane

In the light breeze that constantly blows

is the light scent of Osmanthus

With affection I think of my far away home

Memories are like an extending silky thread

Bringing me back to the moment of old days……….

Under the Lion Rock

The vicissitudes of life consist of joy and also tears

But our encounters under the Lion Rock

Have brought more laughter than sobs or sorrow

Rugged path in life is inevitable

Absolute worry-free is also impossible

As long as we are in the same boat under the Lion Rock

We should forsake our differences and work for a common goal……..

Red Cotton Tree

……….Upright and guileless, I am a good example of a gallant hero

With soaring aspirations, fighting steadfastly for glory

Seeds formed and dispersed through the wind

With saplings deeply rooted all around

Blossoms in full bloom in cheering warm weather

Thy graceful bearing is indeed adorable

The red cotton tree, always striving to move up

It is a unique tree with dignity…….

Tomorrow Will Be a Better Day

……….Sing out your passion

Extend both your arms

Let me embrace your dream

Let me see your cheerful face

Let our smile be radiated with the pride of youth

Let us look forward to a better tomorrow

Children of the Dragon

Far away in the Orient there is a river

Its name is called “Yangtze”

Far away in the Orient there is another river

Its name is called the Yellow River

Though I have never seen the beauty of Yangtze

I have often dreaded of sailing along the river

Though I have never heard of

the thundering roar of the Yellow River

Grandiose surging waves had often been in my dreams

In the ancient Orient, there is a dragon

The name of this dragon is called CHINA

In the ancient Orient there is a race

They are the children of the Dragon

Under the feet of the dragon we grow up

To be Children of the dragon

With dark eyes, dark hair and yellow skin

Forever we will remain “Children of the Dragon” ……….

China Dream

My dream and your dream

All spring from the Yellow River

Yearnings lasting five millennia

Constantly surging in the river…….

The day when China advances in giant strides

The eye of all the world are focused on us

With soaring speed we forge ahead

Glorifying the name of the Dragon

May the Chinese be blessed with joy and happiness

May the Yellow River bring laughter and smiles

The China dream throughout the five millennia

has only one unchanging theme:

Let everyone be free and happy.