獅子山下 (1979)

Singer:羅文 // Lyricist: 黃霑 // Composer: 顧嘉輝 

The 70s is the era when Hong Kong tv drama and their theme songs were very popular. The content and the theme song have intertextuality, which means that the songs and the drama echoed with each other. Some songs even are considered as representation of Hong Kong identity nowadays. For example, the Below the Lion Rock, which is the theme song of the TVB drama, Below the Lion Rock Series, its lyrics answers people’s confusion and questions about the future of Hong Kong before 1997, the year of handover. The song shapes Hong Kong identity by using the Lion Rock as a sign of Hong Kong people’s endeavor. It conveys the message that Hong Kong people should stick together and build their birthplace together but not abandon it. No matter where you come from, you should give up your prejudices.

Even though people nowadays might not remember the content of the tv drama, Below the Lion Rock is still recognized as the song representing Hong Kong spirit nowadays. It is because it has gone through several mediations. In 2002, when the Hong Kong economy declined , the Hong Kong government had used Below the Lion Rock to evoke the unity of Hong Kong citizens, who are described as diligent and hardworking. On the other hand, the Civil Human Right Front also chose the same song as theme song in the 7.1 March in 2003. The meaning of Below the Lion Rock was interpreted as Hong Kong citizens should stick together and fight against the uncivil law. During the Umbrella Movement in 2014, some hikers had handed the banner “I want true universal suffrage” on the Lion Rock.  This act has endowed new interpretation to the “Lion Rock Spirit”. Because of these mediations, Below the Lion Rock has connected with the experiences of different generations. It exists as the sign of Hong Kong spirits among three generations even though what it means to them is different. The song does not clearly tell who is the character it talking about, so every Hong Kong citizen can be put into the song, which means that they belong to the same imagined communities.