Lyrics of Beijing Olympics theme song

Sarah Brightman and Liu Huan sing the theme song during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony on August 8, 2008 at the National Stadium in Beijing. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- The theme song for the Beijing Olympic Games "You and Me", which had been sealed as a top secret by the Olympic organizers, was sung before the public for the first time at Friday's opening ceremony, bringing surprise and jubilation to the world.

    "You and me/ From one world/ Heart to heart/ We are one family." The musical dialogue between popular Chinese singer Liu Huan and British soprano Sarah Brightman was emotional and enthralling.

    The song lasted around three minutes with only 12 brief lines and single rhythms.

    "It was a warm and mild moment when the song was performed and fireworks showcased children's smiling faces worldwide. It reflected the harmonious coexistence of human beings," said Zhang Heping, an official in charge of the opening ceremony preparations with the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 29th Olympic Games (BOCOG).

    Theme songs for previous Olympic Games were usually about passion and joy, but the Beijing one is different and takes a mild and humanitarian way,according to Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice president of the BOCOG.

    This song was created for the Olympic Games, but it goes beyond the Games and fits for extensive circulation, said Hong Kong musician Keith Chan.

    The song's lyrics and music were composed by Chen Qigang, who was appointed as the music director of the Olympic opening ceremony. Chen is the first non-French resident composer of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg.

    Liu Huan, 45, is hailed as king of pop in China. He is also a torch bearer for the Athens and the Beijing Olympic Games, and a popular university teacher of the history of Western music.

Chinese singer Liu Huan (R) and British soprano Sarah Brightman jointly present the theme song of the Beijing Olympic Games, "You and Me", during the art performance of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, titled "Beautiful Olympics", in the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in north Beijing, China, Aug. 8, 2008. (Xinhua/Guo Dayue) Photo Gallery>>>

    His song, "Asking Myself a Thousand Times for That," the theme for the popular drama "A Beijing Native in New York," was No. 1 for 10 weeks on mainland radio stations in 1993. In 1994, he performed at New York's Carnegie Hall and got thunderous applause for his clarity of voice and beautiful singing.

    British soprano Sarah Brightman, born in 1960, is familiar to Chinese people with her version of "Scarborough Fair". She was the inspiration behind such stage hits as "Phantom of the Opera" and "Requiem".

    The BOCOG had been soliciting for theme songs for five years and received 98,871 pieces. It also approached dozens of famous song writers and composers for more songs.

    "You and Me" was recommended by secret ballot to be the Olympic opening theme song last October.

    The lyrics go "You and me/ From one world/ Heart to heart/ We are one family/ For dreams we travel/ Thousands of miles/ We meet in Beijing/ Come together/ The joy we share/ You and me/ From one world/ Forever we are one family."