I was listening to the Talkback segment on 938live and the topic of the day was “Are Singaporeans disrespectful to the National Anthem?” and a few minutes later, I heard you call in this morning to air your views.
You said that the National Anthem was hard to understand and because it was in Malay, not everyone would appreciate it. You also suggested that the National Anthem should be changed to English.
But isn’t it such a drastic change to have the National Anthem, sung in the official language changed after 43 years? Would it really be the best solution to change it to English?
But true, that its possible that throughout the years after school, that its easy to forget.
So, here is my part in sharing with you the National Anthem as well as the translation. After all, we all do need reminders sometimes 😉
[audio:MajulahSingapura.mp3]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
ONWARD SINGAPORE
(English Translation)
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
There is even a Chinese and Indian translation in the National Heritage Website!
Thus I end this message wishing you and everyone a happy national day 🙂
i have been singing it for years, and i never gotten the song right, if its changed to english, imagine out slang, imagine how awful the typical singaporean will sound, our english sounds so ear piercing.
“How can we do it”-Proper english.
“Why liddat???”-Singapore
I had the impression the song was called Mari Kita as opposed to Majulah Singapura.
Some people just don’t bother about something as important as the national anthem. To them it’s just another song.
I admit it’s been years since I’ve sung the anthem to the point of forgetting the lyrics, but never in a million years would I suggest something as ridiculous as changing the language of a country’s national anthem.
If I was a citizen of a foreign, non-English speaking country and the words to their anthem is alien to me, I’d still try and sing it as best I can. With pride!
That caller? Probably the excitement of getting through and being on national radio got to his head.
I think suggesting the song to be changed to English will strip the national feel of it, the originality and the patriotism that comes with it. I think it’s almost like burning bridges, forgetting the country’s origin as a Malay fishing village. Where’s the unique and patriotism in that?
Changing the national anthem to English is just a lazyman’s suggestion. Everything must be simple and spoonfed to them.
“Nurhaliza, your name is difficult to pronounce ar. Can change it to Mary, or Susan onot???”
Bravo bravo Rinaz! This is an excellent post and a timely reminder of the meaning of our national anthem. Just sang that at our national day observance ceremony too.
Originated is best of all. We should be proud singing the national anthem.
I will sing this song when i sleep. Happy birthday Singapore!
Yongwei
I dont think that slang would be an issue regardless of what language it is. Judging from people who are willing to learn another language for example, Japanese and Korean to follow their soap operas. I think that its a matter of sincerity, if someone really wants to, its possible to do so.
Kahwee
Glad to have helped 🙂
Moby
My fear is that the caller isnt the only person who feels that way. Just recently I heard from 938 that there were a number of school children in singapore who arent even aware of other races till they met the other children at the NDP.
And they were asking what language it was that Taufik Batisah was singing.
Are we doing something wrong here?
Mizz
Indeed, that was why I was extremely emotional when I heard the man on the radio. It was a what the heck moment for me.
Its just too much to change something that has been around for almost half a century just because you ‘find it difficult and hard to understand’
Otr Tyre
Indeed and I agree
Walter
Which one is that? You mean at the parade?
Hopefully less people would think of it as the ‘marikita’ song … hehehehe
Tianhong
Happy birthday Singapore!