Majulah Singapura

Majulah Singapura (Malay for Onward Singapore) is Singapore's national anthem. It reflects, together with the national flag and the state crest, Singapore's identity as a nation. The anthem echoes the spirit of Singaporeans in their enduring hope of progress, and calls upon Singaporeans to rally together and succeed. It is interesting to note that many Singaporeans know the lyrics to the song without understanding Malay. Many rely on English or Mandarin translations of the song to understand what they are singing.

Origin

The national anthem was written in the wake of nationalism during 1956-1957. Its composer, the late Encik Zubir Said, had written it based on two words, "Majulah Singapura" which means "Onward Singapore". It was unveiled on 3 December 1959 together with the national flag and the state crest, on the steps of City Hall at the installation of the new head of state, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara, Yusof Bin Ishak. Upon Singapore's independence in 1965, "Majulah Singapura" was adopted as the republic's national anthem.

Lyrics

Original Malay Lyrics

MAJULAH SINGAPURA
Mari kita rakyat Singapura
Sama-sama menuju bahagia
Cita-cita kita yang mulia
Berjaya Singapura
Marilah kita bersatu
Dengan semangat yang baru
Semua kita berseru
Majulah Singapura
Majulah Singapura

English Translation

ONWARD SINGAPORE
Come, fellow Singaporeans
Let us progress towards happiness together
May our noble aspiration bring
Singapore success
Come, let us unite
In a new spirit
Let our voices soar as one
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore

Chinese Translation

前进吧,新加坡!
来吧,新加坡人民,
让我们共同向幸福迈进;
我们崇高的理想,
要使新加坡成功。
来吧,让我们以新的精神,
团结在一起;
我们齐声欢呼:
前进吧,新加坡!
前进吧,新加坡!

Tamil Translation

முன்னேறட்டும் சிங்கப்பூர்

New Recording

A new recording with a grander and more inspiring arrangement, was launched on January 19, 2001. The new anthem recording was the culmination of more than a year's work by the Ministry of Information and the Arts (MITA). The main objective was to make the anthem more accessible to all Singaporeans. Several local composers were invited to re-arrange the national anthem in May 2000 in the key of "F". Cultural medallion winner, Phoon Yew Tien's version was chosen by an evaluation panel, headed by Bernard Tan. The orchestration is in a slower tempo and uses more instruments to create a majestic rendition of the anthem. Singapore's very own orchestra, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, with Lim Yau at the helm, did the new recording at Victoria Concert Hall on November 20, 2000. The new arrangement has been recorded in seven versions including orchestral, choir/solo and piano.

Guidelines for Usage

Guidelines for the singing and playing of the national anthem were relaxed in 2004 to encourage the singing of the anthem at all events of national significance.

How it may be used

  1. Public and private organisations can sing or play the national anthem, on any appropriate occasion. Singaporeans are encouraged to sing the anthem on occasions of national celebration or national significance.
  2. Either the instrumental or vocal versions may be played. Besides the versions produced by MITA, other rearranged versions may also be used, provided that the tune and lyrics of the anthem are complete and performed with dignity.
  3. Dignity and decorum should be observed whenever it is played or sung. Everyone must stand at attention as a mark of respect.

How it cannot be used

  1. It may not be incorporated into any other composition or medley.
  2. It may only be sung following the original lyrics, not any translation of those lyrics.

Credits

  • Music and Lyrics - Zubir Said
  • Re-arrangement - Phoon Yew Tien
  • Project Advisor - Bernard Tan
  • Executive Producer - Ken Lim
  • Orchestra Conductor - Lim Yau
  • Orchestra - Singapore Symphony Orchestra
  • Choir Conductor - Jennifer Tham
  • Choir - Singapore Youth Choir
  • Soloist - Jacintha Abisheganaden
  • Engineer - Ross Cockle
  • Technical Engineer - Kevin Nai
  • Equipment - Team 108
  • Production - Hype Records
  • Coordinator - Jeremy Foo

External Links

 

<< PreviousWord BrowserNext >>
informal logic
blind thrust earthquake
spearman's rank correlation coefficient
highbury & islington station
emily o'reilly
matthew green
bombardier beetle
public schools act
chris bryant
portal vein
public schools act 1868
keelhauling
conscience vote
party lines
eel story
operation keelhaul
corporate governance
goulash
darla (buffy the vampire slayer)
list of football clubs in scotland
modal window
benford's law of controversy
gustav metzger
jenny calendar
wilcox mccandlish law of online discourse evolution
dinkytown, usa
the daily mirror
workers' dreadnought
winmodem
arthur ferguson
sylvia pankhurst
elegance
agglomeration
shopping mall
sensor
warrant of appointment
verboten
morton downey
louis say
jules dupuit
potluck
long term ecosystem observatory
css texas
rogowski coil