武王伐纣“前歌后舞”新解

A New Interpretation of"Qian Ge Hou Wu"in King Wu's Conquest of Zhou

现存史料中,对西周初年礼乐情况的记载较少,《尚书大传》所记武王伐纣“前歌后舞”正是其中之一。不过,从清代至今,学者对此段文字颇有争议,或将其视为即将伐纣欢乐鼓舞气氛的描述,或视为“歌舞以凌”的巴渝之舞,或认为此乃美化周武王灭商功绩的夸誉之辞。《尚书大传》文辞简略,却蕴含丰富。结合相关文献可证,武王伐纣“前歌后舞”实属战后凯旋还师典礼中的军礼用乐。对“前歌后舞”的深入分析,有助于我们进一步了解殷周变革之际,礼乐文化对政治、军事的重要作用。

Historical records on the Li(ritual)and Yue(music)practices during the early Western Zhou period are sparse.One such account is the"Qian Ge Hou Wu"from Shang Shu Da Zhuan,which describes King Wu's conquest of Zhou.From the Qing Dynasty to the present,scholars have debated the meaning of this passage—whether it depicts an atmosphere of joy and encouragement,represents the Bayu dance of"oath-breaking song and dance,"or serves as rhetorical praise for King Wu's defeat of the Shang Dynasty.Though the record in Shang Shu Da Zhuan is brief,it carries rich connotations.By examining related documents,this study argues that"Qian Ge Hou Wu"was actually a form of military music used in ceremonial celebrations following victorious campaigns.A deeper analysis of this piece sheds light on the significant role that Li and Yue culture played in the political and military spheres during the Yin-Zhou transition.