Juche Jams

We Have Nothing to Envy In This World 세상에 부럼없어라

Introduction

Music and lyrics: Kim Hyok (김혁) 1961

This is a important children's song in the DPRK that every child learns in school. Some versions of this song are more simple, while others are particularly elaborate and grand. Part of the song's title was also used in the title of Barbara Demick's 2009 book Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, which chronicles the stories of several DPRK defectors from the Chongjin.

Performances

Moranbong Band

02.13.2016 This performance starts soft, with a violin solo and the beautiful voices of Kim Yu-kyong and Jo Guk-hyang. Pak Mi-kyong, Pak Son-hyang, and an unnamed visitor join in after the first verse.

02.18.2016 Several days after the performance above and it is almost identical in arrangement. The only difference is Pak Mi-kyong is not present and Kim Sol-mi is. This might be the last time Kim Sol-mi performed with the Moranbong Band?

01.01.2020. A medley consisting of "With Pride," "Let's Study," "I am Joyful," "Be Envious of Us," and "We Have Nothing to Envy in This World." Overall I really like this medley but this isn't the best performance of this particular song.

Joint performances

Moranbong Band, Chongbong Band, and State Merited Choir/Orchestra 5.11.2016 My all time favorite version of this song. Three DPRK music groups all come together to since this classic song. Several types of instruents also get a chance to play their own short solo. If you're only going to listen to one version of this song, choose this one.

Unhasu Orchestra

Date Unknown A mixed choir of both men and women singing in a classical, operatic style. Not sure what date this was performed.

English Lyrics

Lyrics by Moranbong Band HD on YouTube

The sky is blue, my heart is so full of joy
The ringing sound from an accordion
Our people live in peaceful harmony
My homeland, oh so wonderful

Our father, Marshal Kim Il-sung
Our home, in the bosom of the Party
We are all brothers and sisters
We have nothing to envy in this world

Our strength cannot be broken by anything
We are not afraid of stormy waves
We are lead by the shining spirit of Paektu
My Fatherland knows no fear

Our father, Marshal Kim Il-sung
Our home, in the bosom of the Party
We are all brothers and sisters
We have nothing to envy in this world

Nothing to envy
Our father, Marshal Kim Il-sung
Our home, in the bosom of the Party
We are all brothers and sisters
We have nothing to envy in this world
My Fatherland has nothing to envy

Korean Lyrics

Lyrics by Moranbong Band HD on YouTube

하늘은 푸르고 내 마음 즐겁다
손풍금소리 울려라
사람들 화목하게 사는
내 조국 한없이 좋네

우리의 아버진 김일성원수님
우리의 집은 당의 품
우리는 모두다 친형제
세상에 부럼없어라

우리 힘 꺾을자 그 어데 있으랴
풍랑도 무섭지 않네
백두의 넋을 이어 빛나는
내 조국 두렴 몰라라

우리의 아버진 김일성원수님
우리의 집은 당의 품
우리는 모두다 친형제
세상에 부럼없어라

부럼없어라
우리의 아버진 김일성원수님
우리의 집은 당의 품
우리는 모두다 친형제
세상에 부럼없어라
나의 조국 부럼없어라