The National Anthem, together with the National Flag and the State Crest, reflect Singapore's identity as a nation.
Origin
The anthem was written in the wake of nationalism from 1956-57. Its composer, the late Encik Zubir Said, anchored it with two words, "Majulah Singapura" (Malay for "Onward Singapore"). The anthem was launched on 3 December 1959 together with the National Flag and the State Crest, at the installation of the new head of state, the Yang di-Pertuan Negara. Upon Singapore's independence in 1965, "Majulah Singapura" was adopted as the new republic's national anthem.
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
New Recording
The Ministry of Information and the Arts embarked on creating a new recording of the National Anthem to make it more accessible to all Singaporeans.
In May 2000, several leading local composers were invited to re-arrange the National Anthem in the key of F. Eventually, the version written by Cultural Medallion winner Phoon Yew Tien, was picked. The orchestration is in a slower tempo and uses more instruments to create a majestic rendition.
Singapore's flagship orchestra, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, with Lim Yau at the helm, did the new recording at Victoria Concert Hall on 20 November 2000. The new arrangement has been recorded in seven versions, including the following:
The following audio files are in mp3 format. If you need a media player, click here.
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
Majulah Singapore, with a grander and more inspiring arrangement, was launched on 19 January 2001.
Guidelines for the singing and playing of the National Anthem have been relaxed to encourage the singing of the Anthem at all events of national significance.
You can find the translations of the National Anthem in three languages below:
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