Arirang is one of the most well-known and widespread folk songs in Korea. Over time, the song has undergone many changes through oral tradition, which has led to numerous changes in both melody and lyrics. This thesis examines three of the most well-known variations of this folk song: Jeongseon Arirang, Milyang Arirang and Jindo Arirang, with an emphasis on textual analysis. The introductory part of the thesis presents the concept of a folk song, its meaning and its main characteristics. This is followed by a discussion of Korean folk songs (minyo) and their characteristics, such as simplicity, sense of humour, han emotion, etc. The central part of the thesis first presents the Arirang folk song in general and then focuses on the above-mentioned variations, using the work Arirang: Song of Korea by Lee Chung-myun as the main source of lyrics. The analysis of the lyrics also includes an analysis of the chorus, which is common to all variations and has important symbolism. This is followed by a comparative analysis, which highlights both the common elements in all versions and the differences between them. The final part of the thesis focuses on the meaning and role of the folk song Arirang today, both within the Korean peninsula and globally. Arirang is much more than just a folk song; it is a symbol of Korea and its people.
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