–Mao Zedong, 1935
The Red Army fears not the Long March’s strife;
Ten thousand streams and hills are light in life.
The Five Ranges twist like ripples small;
The Wumeng peaks vast as mud balls fall.
Golden Sand’s waves beat warm cliffs on high;
Cold iron chains span Dadu’s bridge nigh.
We joy to see Min Shan’s snow for miles;
Our three armies cross with radiant smiles.
Note
Composed in October 1935, as the Central Red Army neared victory in the Long March (Oct 1934 – Oct 1935). First recited publicly at a meeting in Tongwei, Gansu, after crossing the snow-capped Min Mountains. It became the first Mao poem translated and published abroad, via Edgar Snow’s Red Star Over China (1937).
Seven-Character Lüshi
A strict classical Chinese poetic form: 8 lines, 7 characters each, with rigid tonal patterns, parallelism (lines 3–4, 5–6), and rhyme. Mao mastered this ancient form to express modern revolutionary heroism.
The Long March
A 25,000-li (12,500 km) strategic retreat by the Central Red Army from Jiangxi to Shaanxi. Crossing 11 provinces, it was a pivotal military and political turning point for the Chinese Communist revolution.
Five Ranges
Five mountain ranges (Yuecheng, Dupang, Mengzhu, Qitian, Dayu) spanning Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi. The army crossed them in early 1935.
small ripples
Metaphor – giant mountains become tiny ripples in the army’s eyes, showing revolutionary optimism.
Wumeng Mountains
A towering range on the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau.
mud balls
Metaphor – massive peaks seem like rolling mud pellets, emphasizing fearlessness before nature’s barriers.
Jinsha River
Upper Yangtze. The army crossed here in May 1935 under enemy fire, a decisive breakout.
waves beat warm cliffs
“Warm” symbolizes victory and hope despite perilous cliffs.
Dadu River & Luding Bridge
A 13-iron-chain bridge. In May 1935, troops fought hand-to-hand to seize it, avoiding the fate of Shi Dakai’s Taiping army (destroyed here in 1863).
Cold iron chains
“Cold” evokes brutal danger and sacrifice. Echoes historical battle tragedies, contrasting with the Red Army’s victory.
Min Mountains
High snow-capped range on the Sichuan-Gansu border. Crossing it in September 1935 meant the worst hardships were over.
three armies
Refers to the three main Red Army formations; later symbolized all revolutionary forces.
Revolutionary Landscape Poetry
Nature (mountains, rivers, snow) is not mere scenery but a metaphor for struggle and triumph. Grand, heroic imagery embodies revolutionary optimism and willpower.
Only idle
Classic poetic understatement – treating mortal peril as routine, a hallmark of Chinese military heroism.
Radiant smiles
Traditional poetic closing for joyful triumph, uniting personal and collective victory.
《七律-长征》
毛泽东, 一九三五年十月
红军不怕远征难，
万水千山只等闲。
五岭逶迤腾细浪，
乌蒙磅礴走泥丸。
金沙水拍云崖暖，
大渡桥横铁索寒。
更喜岷山千里雪，
三军过后尽开颜。
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