Censored Memories | Lyrics performed by Yinfi

(A Cantonese song by Anthony Wong written for the 30th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Protests. Composer: Tats Lau. Lyricist: Albert Leung)

In the days of yore, perhaps one would ask the heavens, How could they allow the destruction of beliefs, as cherished as they are vast? But now, don't bother asking, if there's the courage to openly commemorate. Plundered by reality, how can one blame the heavens?

If even candlelight is deemed sinful, darkness will linger for decades more. If scars possess spirits, they remain unchanged. Even if memories are deemed sinful, how dare truth remain silent? If history hides someone, they will surely be discovered.

Now, if one were to ask them, would they regret marching too far ahead in the parade? They would say the path has decayed, and danger is feared. Now, if one were to ask me, why I wish to commemorate, I would say even if flames have flickered out, there will always be smoke.

If even candlelight is deemed sinful, darkness will linger for decades more, If scars possess spirits, they remain unchanged. Even if memories are deemed sinful, how dare truth remain silent? If history hides someone, they will surely be discovered.

The heavens need not defend themselves, only fear that people will forget their words. The earth knows not of warmth or cold, existing without thoughts. History only moves forward, giving people insomnia for thirty years. Now, the world-weary youth, don't ask the heavens.

If one raises an umbrella, for whose fate do they mourn? In the square, so many farewells, With the burden of guilt, who crafted such sacrifice? May the voices in the square never go unheard.

(My original Mandarin song, using a poem by the Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo as lyrics, dedicated to Tiananmen Mothers. Composer: Yinfi, Lyricist: Liu Xiaobo)

Those who flee from freedom survive, Their souls languish in fear.
Those who yearn for freedom perish, Their souls ablaze with defiance.
Thoughts torn asunder, leaving scars unseen.

A voice silenced for far too long, Speaks the tale of the grave.
Candles wounded by time's cruel hand, Illuminate the desolation of souls in fear.

Eyes of freedom's souls meet those of mothers.
Mothers' gaze unwavering, resolute,
Flows with each passing spring.
Mothers' vows to June,
Let the shadows sigh,
And let the stones fly.

(The symbolic anthem of the 2019 Hong Kong pro-democracy movements written by dgx and many other participants.)

We pledge: No more tears on our land,
In wrath, doubts dispell’d we make our stand.
Arise! Ye who would not be slaves again:
For Hong Kong, may Freedom reign!

Though deep is the dread that lies ahead,
Yet still, with our faith, on we tread.
We keep our heads up, our voices strong
For Hong Kong, may Glory reign!

Stars may fade, as darkness fills the air,
Through the mist a solitary trumpet flares:
Stand with us! For Freedom we fight, with all might we strike!
With valour, wisdom both, we stride!'

Break now the dawn, liberate our Hong Kong,
In common breath: Revolution of our times!
May people reign, proud and free, now and evermore,
Glory be to thee, Hong Kong!

(A classic rock song questioning the reality of being suppressed by power and marginalised by society for decades, alongside acceptance of one's own identity, which empowered me whenever I faced depression since my university years. Released in 1993, it was written and performed by the all-female American rock group 4 Non Blondes. In the lyrics of this version, I altered "25 years" to "35 years" in line with the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen Protests.)

35 years and my life is still
Trying to get up that great big hill of hope
For a destination
I realized quickly when I knew I should
That the world was made up of this brotherhood of man
For whatever that means

And so I cry sometimes when I'm lying bed
Just to get it all out what's in my head
And I, I am feeling a little peculiar

And so I wake in the morning and I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I scream from the top of my lungs
What's going on?

And I say: HEY! yeah yeaaah, HEY yeah yea
I said hey, what's going on?

And I try, oh my god do I try
I try all the time, in this institution
And I pray, oh my god do I pray
I pray every single day
For a revolution.

And so I cry sometimes when I'm lying bed
Just to get it all out what's in my head
And I, I am feeling a little peculiar

And so I wake in the morning and I step outside
And I take a deep breath and I get real high
And I scream from the top of my lungs
What's going on?

And I say: HEY! yeah yeaaah, HEY yeah yea
I said hey, what's going on?

35 years and my life is still
Trying to get up that great big hill of hope
For a destination