just saw "Nixon in China" in san francisco tonight. I was surprised to hear this, I had only ever heard it playing civ. what a great opera! John Adams is a new favorite....
I used to think for the longest time while playing that the lyrics were: The people are the heroes now Behemoth beholds the presence of God When we look up, the fields are white, the fields are white with harvest in the morning light, and mountain ranges fall one by one. Christ let me be the harvest too.
>Can someone clue me in to what the lyrics actually mean in a contextual sense? they are celebrating the advances of their socialist state. the people are the heroes, not the rich and powerful, because the state (the behemoth) has been made to work for them instead of against them (it pulls their plough). the ripe fields represent the end of privation, and the red mountains are the communist party's protection and leadership.
I do rather assume that Behemoth and the Book of Job in general have little cultural resonance in China. However, this is not really a Chinese communist anthem, but a "cod" communist song with libretto by Alice Goodman, who being an Anglican priest would undboutedly be familiar with the Old Testament. Behemoth was a powerful beast, but God could tame him, so it strikes me that the chorus (the Chinese People) are implying that the people have become the equal of God.
This is from an opera by John Adams, a minimalist composer. For music with this kind of sound you'd have more luck exploring minimalism than opera or classical. Pruit Igoe by Philip Glass, for example.
Surprisingly in all the years I've had this game, on all the occasions it could have played, it played only once. Not on an epic moment in history, nor on any other occasion where it could have stepped proudly forward to perform it's strange harmony, yet it stumbled, rather per accident, on the stage, like a shy first-time performer on the Queen Elisabeth competition, stakes are high, expectations likewise and like in any good story it's performance was captivating and perfect.
It has down votes because its a political song. This isn't like beethoven or the other tracks. It represents an idea so hated by the powerful that more direct expression of the idea is almost completely suppressed, even in a "free country". Its not so much communist as anti slavery but communism is more acceptable than truth.
Yeah... This song definately makes me think of some form of Communism or Marxism. Or something on the lines of that. I certainly like this song, and have wondered for a long time as to what it was called. Now I know. Excellent! :D
The lyrics seem so hopeful and strong, but the tone seems so grim and nervous. I hear this and imagine a situation where one is surrounded by positive propaganda, but war is near and everyone's life is shit.
Sure, this comment is a year old, but I wish to say I also did the same. In fact, I just sat in the game, waiting for it at times. I loved the song, but never knew the name. I couldn't figure out what the lyrics were either (heard it as "the people are the heroes now, something precense of God") so searches never worked. I found out it was in credits a lot, so I just kept watching the credits over and over and over :)
Lyrics: Repeated multiple times The People are the heroes now, Behemoth pulls the peasants plough When we wake up the fields are white with harvest in the morning light and mountain ranges one by one rise red beneath a harvest moon
Yes! This comment! I had a similar, albeit diluted experience too. Who would've thought an atheist Brit whose never left this rain-soaked little island would come to adore a Christian hymn... In SWAHILI! It's opened my eyes somewhat. I'm still atheist, but I freaking LOVE that song. :D
I used to love it when this song used to play later in the game when the political situation was getting out of hand and I hope war would not come and ruin the civilization I was building!!!
good insight because it's from opera called Nixon in China it sabout how Nixon met with Mao and it definitely reflects the grim and ruthless China of those days
My absolutely favorite track from Civ 4!
just saw "Nixon in China" in san francisco tonight. I was surprised to hear this, I had only ever heard it playing civ. what a great opera! John Adams is a new favorite....
Montezuma invaded me to this song
I used to think for the longest time while playing that the lyrics were:
The people are the heroes now
Behemoth beholds the presence of God
When we look up, the fields are white, the fields are white with harvest in the morning light, and mountain ranges fall one by one.
Christ let me be the harvest too.
>Can someone clue me in to what the lyrics actually mean in a contextual sense?
they are celebrating the advances of their socialist state. the people are the heroes, not the rich and powerful, because the state (the behemoth) has been made to work for them instead of against them (it pulls their plough). the ripe fields represent the end of privation, and the red mountains are the communist party's protection and leadership.
I do rather assume that Behemoth and the Book of Job in general have little cultural resonance in China. However, this is not really a Chinese communist anthem, but a "cod" communist song with libretto by Alice Goodman, who being an Anglican priest would undboutedly be familiar with the Old Testament. Behemoth was a powerful beast, but God could tame him, so it strikes me that the chorus (the Chinese People) are implying that the people have become the equal of God.
This is from an opera by John Adams, a minimalist composer. For music with this kind of sound you'd have more luck exploring minimalism than opera or classical. Pruit Igoe by Philip Glass, for example.
Surprisingly in all the years I've had this game, on all the occasions it could have played, it played only once. Not on an epic moment in history, nor on any other occasion where it could have stepped proudly forward to perform it's strange harmony, yet it stumbled, rather per accident, on the stage, like a shy first-time performer on the Queen Elisabeth competition, stakes are high, expectations likewise and like in any good story it's performance was captivating and perfect.
National Anthem for the United Earth Republic!
ahhhhh how i love hearing this in the background while nuking my mortal enemies !!!
Man this is my jam, best video game track ever, baba yetu may have gotten all the glory but this blows it away as far as I'm concerned
It has down votes because its a political song. This isn't like beethoven or the other tracks. It represents an idea so hated by the powerful that more direct expression of the idea is almost completely suppressed, even in a "free country". Its not so much communist as anti slavery but communism is more acceptable than truth.
Yeah... This song definately makes me think of some form of Communism or Marxism. Or something on the lines of that.
I certainly like this song, and have wondered for a long time as to what it was called. Now I know. Excellent! :D
The lyrics seem so hopeful and strong, but the tone seems so grim and nervous. I hear this and imagine a situation where one is surrounded by positive propaganda, but war is near and everyone's life is shit.
Sure, this comment is a year old, but I wish to say I also did the same. In fact, I just sat in the game, waiting for it at times. I loved the song, but never knew the name. I couldn't figure out what the lyrics were either (heard it as "the people are the heroes now, something precense of God") so searches never worked. I found out it was in credits a lot, so I just kept watching the credits over and over and over :)
This is from an opera telling the story of Nixon's visit to China. It's supposed to have communist monumentalism reflected in it.
THE PEOPLE ARE THE HEROES NOW! THE PEOPLE; OHHHHHHHH THE PEASANTS!!!
@ATG913 It's from the opera "Nixon in China". You may have nailed the intent.
James Bong It's "Nixon IN China" by John Adams.
Very cute tune with choral vocals ^__^
Lyrics: Repeated multiple times
The People are the heroes now, Behemoth pulls the peasants plough
When we wake up the fields are white with harvest in the morning light
and mountain ranges one by one rise red beneath a harvest moon
Yes! This comment!
I had a similar, albeit diluted experience too. Who would've thought an atheist Brit whose never left this rain-soaked little island would come to adore a Christian hymn... In SWAHILI! It's opened my eyes somewhat. I'm still atheist, but I freaking LOVE that song. :D
Cod4 reign of the undead zombie mod brought me here :-)))
@ATG913
Its from a mucial called nixon in china and you nailed it sir
I used to love it when this song used to play later in the game when the political situation was getting out of hand and I hope war would not come and ruin the civilization I was building!!!
good insight because it's from opera called Nixon in China
it sabout how Nixon met with Mao and it definitely reflects the grim and ruthless China of those days
It's from an old musical , Nixon goes to China
@afaultytoaster thanks a lot
when playing civ 4, at the end of every sound track i would hope that this would play next.
I've been trying to find out what this song is called for so long, probably my favourite song in the entire game.
We should crank this outside FOXCONN and see what happens.
Goes well with my Infantry and Tank crushing those that stand in the way of progress :)
that is in fact, exactly when it takes place, sir.
I don't know why you're getting down voted for curiosity, but i'll tell you, it's from an opera called Nixon In China by John Adams
It's actually "The people are the heroes now, behemoth pulls the peasants' plow."
@ATG913 Kinda like Nineteen Eighty Four - Comrade!
@afaultytoaster LMFAO xD
@DRAKEDOOR opera/classical
hmm this music only kicks in when im taking something over
lol i heard this playing cod4 zombies :D
Ich verstehe immer: The People are the heroes große Fresse zu haben XD
what kind of music is this ? example lady gaga is pop bob marley reague and this ?
Opera? I thought this was a show tune. Opera doesn't necessarily have to be high art though so this probably qualifies.
Hey, guess what. This is from Nixon in China. Its communist song sung by their workers, or comm. China. That's what it was written for. feel better?
Perhaps it's rice; it is "Nixon in China" after all
@DRAKEDOOR Actually minimalism
Why does it say it was added today, but it has 7 month old comments?
:D
Can someone clue me in to what the lyrics actually mean in a contextual sense?
@ATG913 please report to your local party cadre for thought reform, comrade
This is great music for razing cities and researching doomsday weapons.
Ich verstehe da immer: ...eine große fresse zu haben...
i love your comment! can i take it out to dinner?
Why does this have so many negative votes?
pretty good opera. I didn't like the last act thought. The music... didn't agree with me. any more opera questions, come through me.
Cod rotu
more like Anthem for the Aztec Empire under the rule of George Washington. hehehe unrestricted leaders ftw
The opera as a whole is crap, but this is pretty cool