Let Us Go With High Spirits 신심드높이 가리라

Alt Title: Let’s Go With Our Faith High

Music: Om Ha-jin (엄하진) 1986

Text: Kim Du-il (김두일)

At first glance, this song seems to be the typical “follow the Party, follow the Leader” Juche socialism song. And of course, it is but I think the lyrics of this one are particularly compelling. This line especially stands out to me: “If only relying on the strength of others / Just a stone’s throw appears to be ten million ri away.” Ri is Korean unit of measurement, so if it helps you just replace the word ri in that sentence with miles. The DPRK has had to focus on self-reliance in the face of harsh sanctions and tense relationships with other countries. This song aims to inspire the Korean people to continue down the path they’ve chosen even if it is hard and that the path won’t get any easier by relying on anyone but themselves.

Performances

Joint Performances

Moranbong Band and State Merited Chorus. May 11th, 2016. The State Merited Chorus and Orchestra really shine with songs like this one. When you pair them with the Moranbong Band, the sound of all of them together drives home the meaning behind the lyrics. I don’t think this song would be as effective if either group performed it alone.

State Merited Chorus

Date unknown. A music video accompanies the State Merited Chorus version of this song.

Samjiyon Orchestra

12.31.2019. An instrumental version of the song with a full orchestra.

English Lyrics

Lyrics by Moranbong Band HD

The road our whole people believe in
The road our Leader opened up for us
Our strength consolidated in the Party
The strength of millions in unity
With faith in definite victory kept in our hearts
How could it ever be stopped?
Following the General on the only road of Juche
With high spirits, let us go

By showing our own strength when we set out
Even a thousand ri appears short
If only relying on the strength of others
Just a stone’s throw appears to be ten million ri away
Even if endless raging winds try to blow us away
We keep straight against, going side by side
Following the General on the only road of Juche
With high spirits, let us go

Our Leader, whatever He decides
There is nothing we can’t achieve
When our Party lays out its plans
There is no road too hard for us to follow
Our ever victorious banner of the revolution
It flies fluttering to the forefront
Following the General on the only road of Juche
With high spirits, let us go
With high spirits, let us go

Korean Lyrics

Lyrics by Moranbong Band HD

우리의 길은 인민을 믿고
수령님 열어주신 길
우리의 힘은 당의 두리에
천만이 굳게 뭉친 힘
가슴에 지닌 필승의 신념
그 어이 드팀이 있으랴
장군님 따라 주체의 한길
신심드높이 가리라

제힘을 믿고 떨쳐 나서면
천리도 눈앞에 지척
남의 힘 믿고 바라다보면
지척도 아득한 만리
모진 광풍이 몰아친대도
우리는 맞받아가리
장군님따라 주체의 한길
신심드높이 가리라

우리 수령님 결심하시면
우리가 못한 일없고
우리 당이 구상 펼치면
우리가 못간 길 없네
백전백승의 혁명의 기치
진두에 펄펄 날리며
장군님따라 주체의 한길
신심드높이 가리라
신심드높이 가리라