歌聲中的連結：從威爾士軍歌到香港校歌，穿越時空的音韻傳承
The Connection Through Song: A Journey Across Time from Welsh Military Anthem to Hong Kong School Anthems
在香港聖公會小學教書多年，耳邊迴盪著校歌旋律早已成為日常。然而，某日有朋友傳來韓劇《名校的階梯》中的片段。一段熟悉的旋律竟響起在劇中校園的開學典禮上，讓我倍感驚訝！抱著好奇心一查，發現原來這首曲子的背景與英國威爾士的軍事歷史有著深厚淵源，它就是威爾士傳統軍歌《哈勒赫之男》（Men of Harlech）1。這首歌居然跨越半個地球成為香港聖公會學校和King’s College的校歌，可謂一段意外而奇妙的文化交流。
威爾士軍歌《哈勒赫之男》的歷史背景
《哈勒赫之男》被認為描繪了1461至1468年間，威爾士哈萊克城堡 ( Harlech Castle ) 的七年圍城戰。當時，蘭開斯特家族的威爾士守軍在指揮官達菲德·艾普·耶安 ( Dafydd ab Ifan ab Einion ) 的率領下，在這場英國史上最長的圍城戰中堅守。這首歌的旋律象徵了威爾士人民在玫瑰戰爭期間面對約克家族軍隊的不屈精神，充滿了堅毅和勇氣。後來，這首歌與威爾士文化密不可分，逐漸被視為代表威爾士國家精神的象徵之一。
《哈勒赫之男》的旋律最早於1794年被收錄在《威爾士吟遊詩人的音樂和詩歌遺珍》（The Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards）一書中，當時還沒有歌詞。其後的19世紀，這首歌經多次改編，並在1830年代被填上不同版本的歌詞。1862年，威爾士詩人約翰·瓊斯（John Jones, "Talhaiarn"）創作了威爾士文歌詞，而馬德里加爾協會主席托馬斯·奧利芬特（Thomas Oliphant, President of the Madrigal Society）則創作了英文歌詞，進一步鞏固了它作為威爾士象徵的地位。此曲不僅在威爾士風行，甚至在1941年的經典電影《青山翠谷》（How Green Was My Valley）和1964年的電影《祖魯》（Zulu）中出現，將威爾士的國族意識傳播至國際。
英皇書院校歌的誕生
在20世紀50年代，香港的英皇書院將《哈勒赫之男》旋律改編成校歌。根據1954-55年英皇書院校務紀要，這首校歌由當時的副校長盧家禮先生（C. J. Y. Lowe）填詞，並在1954年12月17日的頒獎典禮上於禮成前合唱了「由盧家禮先生新撰之本校校歌及《天佑吾后》」。這一紀錄提供了關於校歌誕生的可靠史料，顯示英皇書院的校歌早在1954年12月已出現。
以下是英皇書院校歌的歌詞與逐句解釋：
Oh King's College lives forever
英皇書院將永遠長存，Nothing shall our friendship sever
沒有什麼能斷絕我們之間的友誼；Nothing shall defeat us ever
我們不會被任何挑戰所擊敗，Glory to our school.
榮耀屬於我們的學校。Listen to our sound of singing
傾聽我們歌聲嘹亮，Listen to our voices ringing
我們的聲音在校園中迴響，Joy and honour we are bringing
我們為學校帶來了歡樂和榮耀，Glory to our school.
榮耀屬於我們的學校。Soon we will be grown men
不久後，我們會成長為堅毅的男子漢，There will be new boys then
屆時學校也會迎來新的學弟，Summon all the new and old
新生老鬼將會團結一心，They'll sing and shout together.
齊聲歌唱，共同歡呼。Old boys, new boys winning glory
老鬼新生，共創榮耀，We ourselves must write the story
我們要自己書寫屬於學校的故事，Keep this challenge still before ye
時刻銘記這份挑戰，Glory to our school.
榮耀屬於我們的學校。
這首校歌充分表達了英皇書院的學生對母校的深情和忠誠，以及無懼挑戰的堅毅信念。
聖多馬小學校歌：劉堅持牧師的創作
在1953年，聖多馬小學位於南昌街的新校舍啟用，而據1955年已就讀該校的校友——聖公會小學監理委員會前總幹事謝振強校長的回憶，他們在1955年已經開始唱這首校歌，故可以推測劉堅持牧師可能早在1955年以前就已完成了這首校歌的填詞。劉牧師可能是在某個場合中聽到《哈勒赫之男》旋律而產生創作靈感，雖然具體情形尚無法考證。
以下是聖多馬小學校歌的完整歌詞：
懿歟！盛哉！我聖多馬，名源基督使徒中。苦心創設惠莘民，崛起九龍濱。
男女兼收，作育英群，文工並重存國粹。志既高兮且氣宏，樂為世之光。
忠主訓、役於人；學不厭、教不倦；團結、互助，振主博愛精神。
鍛鍊體魄，健我身心。春風切磋，欣然同詠，崇高偉大，我聖多馬與主同永恒。
這段歌詞訴說了聖多馬小學創校以來的教育精神，表達了對基督教義的推崇與服務他人的核心價值。
聖公會小學統一校歌：任岫雲老師的改編
1965年後，任岫雲老師基於《哈勒赫之男》的旋律填上新的中文歌詞，這首歌成為全港聖公會小學的統一校歌，並一直沿用至今，為全港約五十所聖公會屬校共同採用。以下是歌詞：
美哉，我聖公會學校
林立港九，遠近蜚聲，本主基督博愛精神，樂聚群英
格我以誠，導我以正，仁義為準，道德為繩
良師益友，切磋砥礪，培育心靈
節儉習慣養成，刻苦精神充盈
德、智、體、群、美應與日俱增
乃役於人，仰我校訓，學子自當拳拳服膺
努力前程，修身立行，榮耀我主名。
這首校歌傳達了聖公會小學注重品德、學問、服務精神的教育理想，強調學生在成長過程中應具備誠實、仁義和奉獻的精神。
結語：音樂穿越時空的文化傳承
從英國威爾士的軍歌到香港的校歌，《哈勒赫之男》的旋律帶著不屈的韻律、友誼與勇氣，跨越語言、文化與歷史，在香港的教育系統中留下深刻印記。幾代學生在這些歌聲中成長，感受到團隊精神、愛與堅持的意義。這首跨越時空的旋律，成為無數學子珍藏在心的回憶，不僅展現了英國對香港教育潛移默化的影響力，也成為香港教育歷史上獨特而溫暖的一頁。
The Connection Through Song: A Journey Across Time from Welsh Military Anthem to Hong Kong School Anthems
After many years teaching in a SKH primary school in Hong Kong, the school anthem has become a familiar sound to me. However, one day a friend shared a clip from the Korean drama Hierarchy. In a surprising twist, a familiar melody played during the opening ceremony scene. Curiosity piqued, I delved into its origins, discovering that this tune had deep roots in British military history as the traditional Welsh anthem “Men of Harlech.” It was astonishing to find that this song had travelled across half the globe to become the anthem of Hong Kong’s Anglican schools and King’s College—a remarkable example of cultural exchange.
The Background of Welsh Anthem “Men of Harlech”
“Men of Harlech” is said to recount the siege of Harlech Castle in Wales, lasting from 1461 to 1468. During this period, Welsh forces loyal to the House of Lancaster, under commander Dafydd ap Ifan ap Einion, bravely held Harlech Castle in one of the longest sieges in British history. This melody came to symbolise Welsh resistance during the Wars of the Roses, embodying resilience and courage. Over time, the song became emblematic of Welsh national pride, connecting with Welsh culture at a deep level.
The melody first appeared in The Musical and Poetical Relics of the Welsh Bards in 1794, initially without lyrics. By the 19th century, “Men of Harlech” had been reinterpreted multiple times, and in the 1830s, several lyrics were added. In 1862, the Welsh poet John Jones, also known as “Talhaiarn,” created Welsh lyrics, while Thomas Oliphant, President of the Madrigal Society, contributed English lyrics, further solidifying its status as a Welsh cultural symbol. The song’s popularity spread beyond Wales, appearing in the 1941 classic film How Green Was My Valley and in the 1964 film Zulu, helping to introduce Welsh nationalism to an international audience.
The Birth of the King’s College Anthem
According to the King’s College 50th Anniversary School Magazine, published in 1976, historical records and interviews with former staff reveal that King’s College did not have an official school song before the war. It was only in the post-war 1950s that then-Principal F. K. Leung proposed selecting a song for the school anthem. Subsequently, Vice-Principal Mr. C. J. Y. Lowe composed the lyrics for the anthem. School records indicate that on 17 December 1954, during the prize-giving ceremony, students and teachers sang “the newly composed school song by Mr. Lowe and ‘God Save the Queen.’” This record confirms that King’s College’s school song officially debuted in 1954, marking its place as a core part of school spirit.
The lyrics of the King’s College anthem are as follows:
Oh King's College lives forever
Nothing shall our friendship sever
Nothing shall defeat us ever
Glory to our school.Listen to our sound of singing
Listen to our voices ringing
Joy and honour we are bringing
Glory to our school.Soon we will be grown men
There will be new boys then
Summon all the new and old
They'll sing and shout together.Old boys, new boys winning glory
We ourselves must write the story
Keep this challenge still before ye
Glory to our school.
This anthem eloquently conveys the students’ loyalty to their alma mater, expressing a steadfast commitment to meet every challenge.
The Anthem of SKH St. Thomas’ Primary School: A Creation by Reverend Lau Kin Chi
In 1953, SKH St. Thomas’ Primary School opened its new campus on Nam Cheong Street. According to Mr. Tse Chun Keung, former General Secretary of the SKH Primary Schools Council and a student of St. Thomas’ in 1955, the school song was already being sung by that year. This suggests that Reverend Lau Kin Chi likely completed the lyrics before 1955. It is possible that Reverend Lau heard the melody of Men of Harlech in a certain setting, inspiring him to create the school song, though the specific circumstances remain unverified.
The lyrics of the anthem are as follows (in Chinese):
懿歟！盛哉！我聖多馬，名源基督使徒中。
苦心創設惠莘民，崛起九龍濱。
男女兼收，作育英群，文工並重存國粹。
志既高兮且氣宏，樂為世之光。
忠主訓、役於人；學不厭、教不倦；
團結、互助，振主博愛精神。
鍛鍊體魄，健我身心。春風切磋，欣然同詠，
崇高偉大，我聖多馬與主同永恒。
These lyrics describe the educational spirit of SKH St. Thomas’ Primary School, exalting Christian doctrine and a commitment to serving others.
The Unified Anthem of SKH Primary Schools: Adapted by Teacher Yam Chau Wan
In 1965, teacher Yam Chau Wan adapted “Men of Harlech” into new Chinese lyrics, creating a unified anthem for all SKH primary schools in Hong Kong. This anthem has been used in approximately 50 SKH primary schools across the city ever since. The lyrics, which remain in Chinese, are as follows:
美哉，我聖公會學校
林立港九，遠近蜚聲，本主基督博愛精神，樂聚群英
格我以誠，導我以正，仁義為準，道德為繩
良師益友，切磋砥礪，培育心靈
節儉習慣養成，刻苦精神充盈
德、智、體、群、美應與日俱增
乃役於人，仰我校訓，學子自當拳拳服膺
努力前程，修身立行，榮耀我主名。
This anthem conveys the SKH primary schools’ emphasis on character, knowledge, and a spirit of service, underscoring honesty, benevolence, and dedication in students’ lives.
Conclusion: Cultural Heritage Through Song
From the Welsh military anthem to Hong Kong school anthems, the tune of “Men of Harlech” resonates with resilience, friendship, and courage. Across languages, cultures, and centuries, this melody has etched a profound legacy in Hong Kong’s educational system. Generations of students have grown up with these anthems, experiencing the values of teamwork, love, and perseverance through song. This timeless melody has become a cherished memory for countless students, embodying the lasting influence of British education in Hong Kong and representing a unique and heartwarming chapter in the history of Hong Kong education.
威爾士軍歌《哈勒赫之男》Men of Harlech - Welsh Patriotic Song