The Book of Songs

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the ancient Chinese "Book of Songs," a book of poems each of which is set to music so it can be sung. The book consists of 305 poems categorized into folk songs, ceremonial songs, and sacrificial songs, based on their content and the style of the music. The paper examines the various styles of songs that make up the book and how these songs were used to celebrate many occasions.

From the Paper:

"Chinese literature has a long history that begins with Shi Jing, or the Book of Songs. The original title of the work was Shi (Poems) and later Shi Sanbai (Three Hundred Poems). Each of the poems was set to music so it could be sung. The book finally consisted of 305 poems categorized into folk songs, ceremonial songs, and sacrificial songs, based on their content and the style of the music. Folk songs were popular among the people and made up the best part of the book. Ceremonial songs and sacrificial songs were sung primarily on sacrificial or ceremonial occasions as a means of eulogizing the merits and virtues of the Son of Heaven and of his forefathers (Churchill paras. 1-2). Shi Jing is one of the seminal works of Chinese Civilization, serving this role along with the Book of Changes (Yi Jing), the Book of History (Shu Jing),.."

More papers on The Book of Songs:

• Analytical Essay # 149369 : "Song of Songs: The Literal Poetry"
• Book Review # 106662 : "The Grapes of Wrath"
• Analytical Essay # 7526 : "The Fruit of Wisdom"

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