According to local lore, the first Korean to live in the Atlanta area was Chi Ho Yoon, a student at Emory University's Oxford College, located in Covington Georgia. Yoon attended the college from 1891-1893 before returning to Korea as a Christian scholar and political activist. He is best known as one of the lyric writers of the Korean National Anthem. This English translation is reprinted with permission from www.nationalanthems.com:
Until the East Sea's waves are dry, (and) Mt. Baekdusan worn away, God watch o'er our land forever! Our country forever!
CHORUS: Rose of Sharon, thousand miles of range and river land! Guarded by her people, ever may Korea stand!
Like that Mt. Namsan armored pine, standing on duty still, wind or frost, unchanging ever, be our resolute will.
CHORUS
In autumn's, arching evening sky,crystal, and cloudless blue, Be the radiant moon our spirit, steadfast, single, and true.
CHORUS
With such a will, (and) such a spirit, loyalty, heart and hand, Let us love, come grief, come gladness, this, our beloved land!
CHORUS
Korean Chi Ho Yoon attended Emory University's Oxford College, 1891-1893. Will my daughter Jessica, pictured above at the Covington campus, follow in Yoon's footsteps nearly 120 years later?
This was very interesting, Cathy. I now want to learn more about Oxford's rich history while also downloading an actual recording of the Korean national anthem. I'm embarrassed to say that I don't recall ever hearing it.
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