ANALYZING MUSIC AND LYRICS OF THE CHILDREN’S SONGS OF THE NEW SONGS OF THE BATTLEFIELD

Abstract

New Songs of the Battlefield is a song collection published during China’s Cultural Revolution to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Mao Zedong’s “Speech at the Yan’an Literary and Artistic Symposium.” As a politically significant publication of its time, the collection reflects the ideological and cultural narratives promoted during the period. Despite growing scholarly interest in its musical and historical aspects, children's songs within the collection have received little academic attention. This study focuses on the three prominent children’s songs in the collection, employing qualitative methods through musicological and lyric analysis. The findings reveal that the songs are characterized by simple structures, narrow vocal ranges, and repetitive melodic and rhythmic patterns suited to young learners. Lyrically, they emphasize patriotism, socialist values, and moral education, often portraying idealized images of children as obedient, diligent, and ideologically loyal. These songs not only served as musical entertainment but also functioned as tools for political socialization and value formation. The study provides new insights into the intersection of music, childhood, and ideology during the Cultural Revolution, offering implications for both historical understanding and contemporary approaches to children’s music education in China.