Dunhuang Song Lyrics refer to hundreds of folk songs and lyrics works from the Tang and Five Dynasties discove…
Dunhuang Song Lyrics refer to hundreds of folk songs and lyrics works from the Tang and Five Dynasties discovered in the Mogao Grottoes at Mingsha Mountain in Dunhuang, Gansu, including "Collection of Cloud Ballads".
In terms of genre, their discovery fills the gap in the evolution of ci before it was finalized in Book of Flowers. Prior to this, most people believed that ci formed in the Five Dynasties and were unaware that songs and ci were already widely used in the Tang Dynasty.
In terms of content, Dunhuang Song Lyrics have rich themes and simple language, vividly recording the life scenes of Dunhuang and the Hexi region from the Tang and Five Dynasties to the early Song Dynasty, especially presenting a precious picture of multi-ethnic integration. At the same time, the content of these songs and lyrics corrects the misunderstanding that early lyrics only included literati works such as Book of Flowers, mostly singing of love between men and women, and taking gracefulness as the orthodox style.