한명회가 단종에게 바치는 속죄의 노래, 진혼가 Requiem for King Danjong - The Pop Song Restoration Lab (2026) : Lyrics & English Translation

 

In the early Joseon Dynasty, King Danjong and Han Myeong-hoe shared an ill-fated relationship of absolute opposition, completely reshaping each other's destiny. As the chief strategist for Grand Prince Suyang (who later became King Sejo), Han Myeong-hoe orchestrated the Gyeyu Jeongnan (the Coup of 1453), drafting a death list to eliminate key state ministers who protected Danjong, including Hwangbo In and Kim Jong-seo. This left the young King Danjong utterly isolated, ultimately forcing him to abdicate the throne to Grand Prince Suyang and step down as the Abdicated King (Sangwang).

Even after the usurpation of the throne, Han Myeong-hoe remained a ruthless political rival who drove Danjong to his ruin. Following the failure of the Sayuksin’s movement to restore Danjong to the throne, Han Myeong-hoe took the lead in demoting Danjong's title to Prince Nosan and exiling him to Yeongwol. Furthermore, when Grand Prince Geumseong's restoration plot was uncovered, Han strongly petitioned King Sejo for Danjong's execution. Ultimately, under Han Myeong-hoe's relentless behind-the-scenes machinations, Danjong met a tragic end at the tender age of seventeen.

[한명회가 단종에게 바치는 속죄의 노래, 진혼가]
[Requiem for King Danjong Lyrics & English Translation]

동강에 구비치는 물결마다

Donggange gubichineun mulgyeolmada

In every wave rolling through the Donggang River

서러운 님의 넋이 떠도네

seoreoun nimui neoksi tteodone

The sorrowful soul of my lord drifts along

강가의 찬 바람은 세월을 돌아와

ganggae chan barameun seewoleul dorawa

The cold wind by the riverside returns through the ages

적막한 쓸쓸함 끝에 머무네

jeongmakhan sseulsseulham kkeute meomune

lingering at the edge of desolate loneliness

죽은 이들이 외면했던

jugeun ideuri oemyeonhaetdeon

Which even the dead turned away from

외로운 시절

oeroun sijeol

During those lonely times

이제서야 한마음 되어 님을

ijeseoya hanmaeum doeeo nimeul

only now, united with one heart, we

불러보네

bulleobone

call upon you

천 리 길 먼 길

cheon ri gil meon gil

The road of a thousand miles, a long road

이제는 편히 가시길

ijeneun pyeonhi gasigil

may you now travel in peace

억울했던 마음 내려놓고

eogulhaetdeon maeum naeryeonohgo

putting down your deeply wronged heart

따사로운 햇살 가득한

ttasaroun haetsal gadeukhan

Overflowing with warm sunshine

하늘 위로

haneul wiro

Up into the sky

구름 되어 날으시길

gureum doeeo nareusigil

May you soar, becoming a cloud

권력에는 눈먼 이들이

gwonlyeogeneun nunmeon ideuri

Those blinded by power

칼춤을 출 때

kalchumeul chul ttae

when they dance with swords

홀로 서러운 달빛 맞으며

hollo seoreoun dalbit mazeumyeo

facing the sorrowful moonlight alone

눈물 흘리네

nunmul heulline

shedding tears

영화를 쫓던 이들은

yeonghwareul jjotdeon ideureun

Those who chased after short-lived glory

먼지가 되었지만

meonjiga doeeotjiman

have turned to dust

님의 맑은 눈은

nimui malgeun nuneun

your clear eyes

하늘의 별이 되었네

haneului byeori doeeotne

have become stars in the heavens

높이 뜬 저 별빛을

nopi tteun jeo byeolbicheul

That starlight shining so high above

먼 길 돌아 비로소 알아보네

meon gil dora biroso arabone

After a long, winding journey, I finally recognize it

천 리 길 먼 길

cheon ri gil meon gil

The road of a thousand miles, a long road

이제는 편히 가시길

ijeneun pyeonhi gasigil

may you now travel in peace

억울했던 마음 내려놓고

eogulhaetdeon maeum naeryeonohgo

putting down your deeply wronged heart

따사로운 햇살 가득한

ttasaroun haetsal gadeukhan

Overflowing with warm sunshine

하늘 위로

haneul wiro

Up into the sky

구름 되어 날으시길

gureum doeeo nareusigil

May you soar, becoming a cloud

늦게나마 님의 한을

neutgenama nimui haneul

Though it is late, your deep sorrow

풀어드리니

pureodeorini

I soothe and release

차가운 물결에

chagaun mulgyeore

In the freezing waters

더 이상 춥지 마시길

deo isang chupji masigil

may you never be cold again

천 리 길 먼 길

cheon ri gil meon gil

The road of a thousand miles, a long road

이제는 편히 가시길

ijeneun pyeonhi gasigil

may you now travel in peace

억울했던 마음 내려놓고

eogulhaetdeon maeum naeryeonohgo

putting down your deeply wronged heart

따사로운 햇살 가득한

ttasaroun haetsal gadeukhan

Overflowing with warm sunshine

하늘 위로

haneul wiro

Up into the sky

구름 되어 날으시길

gureum doeeo nareusigil

May you soar, becoming a cloud

부디, 시린 강물 등지시고

budi sirin gangmul deungjisigo

Please, turn your back on the freezing river

따스한 봄볕 아래

ttaseuhan bombyeot arae

Under the warm spring sunshine,

정녕 평안하시길

jeongnyeong pyeonganhasigil

may you find true, everlasting peace