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Bethany Brundage

Averie Basch

English 1120

4 May 2022

Hong Kong Umbrella Movement

For the past several decades, Hong Kong has been trying to cut off its connection with

China. As a result of China trying to convert Hong Kong to communism, Hong Kong has been

trying to pull away from China. Hong Kong has a different belief from a political standpoint

which is not communism, they believe in democracy. The Umbrella movement was a political

movement that protested in 2014. Many of Hong Kong’s citizens have created many impactful

musics that has brought people together in solidarity. This protest was centered around police

brutality where the government-supported China’s political standpoint. The umbrella symbolized

a defense mechanism to defend themselves against police pepper spray. Within their own city,

Hong Kong’s citizens have faced a lot of tragic events within 79 days from September 28, 2014,

to December 15, 2014. Hong Kong’s citizens protested tirelessly; each day became a dreadful

day in Hong Kong. Buildings were broken into, the air was full of smoke bombs, people were

beaten up by the police, and trash was on every block. Not only did this create violence, but also

caused their own government to go against their citizens. Several police officers beat them to

death and put them in jail so they could silence them for their wrongdoings. This protest brought

unforgettable memories of previous protests during the Umbrella Revolution that happened in

2014. Many of the citizens have not yet healed or recovered from that tragic event and still
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haunts them to this day. As Hong Kong is slowly being demolished, it has become a place that is

not safe to live in. Although the movement has had a huge effect on a lot of people, music help

bring them closer together during the healing process. During the movement, many songs had

been created especially about these impactful events while other music resurfaced. Music

motivates people to come together to fight for their city of Hong Kong. In the following

paragraphs, I will be talking about specific music that had a huge impact on the communities.

Music that ranges from unofficial national anthems, punk-rock, slow music, etc.; I will be

breaking down specific songs from these genres including “Do You Hear the People Sing,”

“Hong Kong 2019,” “Glory to Hong Kong,” and “Below the Lion Rock.”

The Umbrella Revolution in 2014 and the Bill Movement in 2019 both used the song,

“Do You Hear the People Sing,” which has become an unofficial national anthem for Hong

Kong. This song tells the story of the French uprising in 1832, where people rebelled against

King Louis Philippe. Sixteen years later Louis Philippe was overthrown, which is known as the

French Revolution of 1848. This song became very popular after the French Revolution because

it captures the thirst for democracy and hope for freedom. In the first two lines, “Do you hear the

people sing? / Singing the song of angry men?” (Hong Kongers, 0:01-0:06) This song became

one of the go-to protest songs that have been translated into many languages including

Cantonese. It represents the long fight for democracy all over the world including Hong Kong’s

fight for independence. Most of Hong Kong’s protests are peaceful, including singing; this

became something essential to voice their opinions. This is one of many songs that help them get

through hardships under the unjust law system.

LMF is a local band from Hong Kong who created the song “Hong Kong 2019,” to give

the audience an insight into the protest and the unjust law system in Hong Kong. LMF also
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known as “Lazy Mutha F***a” has been around since 1993. They disbanded in 2003, due to

financial and political problems. They came together again to create this song that reflects the

current state of Hong Kong and blames the government for police brutality. A few minutes into

the song it states, “The police, arresting arbitrarily/ Horrifying / The government can do anything

/ For Justice / We stand together / Liberation, revolution, opportunity / Ready to Dream!” (LMF,

0:09-0:20) These lyrics are very powerful and say a lot about their current system. LMF

members are not afraid of getting arrested for foul language towards their government. They

would stand up for what they think is right for their country and will not back down easily. This

song has become a legend in Hong Kong for its lyrics and the way it recognizes those people

who have been brutally injured under the unjust law system.

“Glory to Hong Kong,” is also an unofficial anthem that unites its citizens and boosts

their belief in victory. The writer’s name is Thomas, and he is also a local resident of Hong

Kong. In Time Magazine, Thomas stated, “Music is a tool for unity, I really felt like we needed a

song to unite us and boost our morale. The message to listeners is that despite the unhappiness

and uncertainty of our time, Hong Kong will not surrender.” A few minutes into the music it

states, “Arise! Ye who would not be slaves again: / For Hong Kong may freedom reign.”

(Thomas, 0:19-0:30) Hong Kong has been fighting for its independence for many decades. Their

citizens believe if they are under China’s Law, they could not voice their opinions. Thomas

wants his viewer to see how Hong Kong cannot back down at any moment in time. Not only did

he create an amazing song but also help unite Hong Kong together; they will not surrender!

“Below the Lion Rock,” represents the different contributions many people have made to

keep Hong Kong what it is today. This song was released in 1979, it became an unofficial

anthem around 2003. Many campaigns run by the government used lyrics from the song to boost
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community spirits. A few minutes into the music it states, “Together to the ends of the earth / we

conquer our challenges / Together we work hard to create / the legend that is Hong Kong.” (Jim,

Wong and Koo, Joseph, 1:38-2:00) This song helps remind protesters what they are fighting for:

freedom, independence, and spreading positive energy. It helps unite all walks of life to make

their mark in the country called Hong Kong. This is one of many songs that help keep their

spirits alive, to fight until they get their justice. For many years, Hong Kong was fighting for its

independence from China.

In conclusion, the Hong Kong movement had a huge impact on a lot of people in a good

way and also in a bad way as well. Due to China trying to convert Hong Kong to become a

communist like them, this created a lot of political issues between both countries. Through this,

the city of Hong Kong itself had drastically decreased within 72 days of the Hong Kong

democracy protest. They faced a lot of hardship during the protest including buildings being

broken into, the air being full of smoke bombs, people have gotten beaten up by the police, and

the trash being on every block. Although the movement has a huge effect on a lot of people, it

helps them grow closer together during the process. Music is one of many factors in which they

stand together in solidarity. Music motivates people to come together to fight for their city of

Hong Kong. Music like, “Do You Hear the People Sing,” represents the long fight for democracy

all over the world including Hong Kong’s fight for independence. The song “Hong Kong 2019,”

recognized those people who have been brutally injured under the injustice law system. The song

“Glory to Hong Kong,” by the author of the song; a local resident gives us an insight into how its

citizens truly feel under their own government. The song, “Below the Lion Rock,” helps remind

protesters what they are fighting for; freedom, independence, and spreading positive energy.

Each one of these songs is unique, they play a huge part where citizens come together in
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solidarity from this impactful movement.

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Work Cited

Schönberg, Claude-Michel. “Do You Hear the People Sing.” YouTube, uploaded by FreeHK Do

You Hear The People Sing, 20 September 2019, (2423) "Do you hear the people sing" -

orchestra with chorus by Hong Kongers - YouTube

Jim, Wong and Koo, Joseph. “Made in Hong Kong: Our City. Our Stories - Under Lion Rock.”

YouTube, Uploaded by Hong Kong Maritime Museum, 26 April 2015, Made in Hong

Kong: Our City. Our Stories - Under Lion Rock - YouTube

LMF. “2019.” YouTube, uploaded by HK Alleys, 5 October 2019, (2422) LMF - 2019 (

Translation ) - YouTube

Thomas, “Glory to Hong Kong.” YouTube, uploaded by Ingen, 25 September 2019, (2422)

"Glory to Hong Kong" - Anthem of The Hong Kong Protests [ENGLISH LYRICS] -

YouTube

“Umbrella Movement: History, Agenda and Achievements.” UKEssays. Published 12 November

2021, Umbrella Movement: History, Agenda and Achievements (ukessays.com)