List of Singaporean patriotic songs

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This article contains a list of Singaporean patriotic songs. A patriotic song may be defined as one which inspires feelings of pride in one's country. The list has both traditional folk songs that have special meaning to Singaporeans, as well as modern songs composed specifically for national celebrations, particularly the National Day Parade held on 9 August each year.

Contents 1 Types of songs 2 Criticism 3 The National Anthem 4 Songs with English lyrics 5 Songs with Malay lyrics 6 Songs with Mandarin lyrics 7 Songs with Tamil lyrics 8 See also 9 Notes 10 Further reading 11 External links

[edit] Types of songs

Broadly speaking, there may be said to be two types of Singaporean patriotic songs. The first type are traditional folk songs that have, over time, come to have special meaning to Singaporeans. Many of these are in vernacular languages – Malay, Mandarin and Tamil, for instance. Examples of such songs include the Malay songs "Chan Mali Chan" and "Di Tanjung Katong", and the Tamil song "Munnaeru Vaalibaa".

The second type are the comparatively modern songs, mostly in English, that were composed specifically for national events – particularly the National Day Parade held annually on 9 August – and for use in schools. Each year since 1985, the National Day Parade Executive Committee has designated one such song as a National Day Parade theme song. The song is usually broadcast on radio and television starting from a month before National Day, and is given prominence during the Parade itself. Examples of such songs include "Stand Up for Singapore" (1985), "Count On Me, Singapore" (1986) and "One People, One Nation, One Singapore" (1990). In 2007 there were two National Day Parade theme songs, "There's No Place I'd Rather Be" and "Will You?".^[1]

In 1984, the National Arts Council inaugurated the Sing Singapore Festival, the aim of which was to discover and promote home-grown music and artistes. According to the Council, it also hoped to nurture a love for music and singing and cultivate a greater sense of togetherness amongst Singaporeans. The programme led to the creation of a number of new songs by Singaporean composers, some of which were selected for National Day celebrations. These included "Home" (1998) by Dick Lee, "Where I Belong" (2001) by Tanya Chua, and "A Place in My Heart" (2003) by Kevin Quah. Local singers such as Kit Chan and Stefanie Sun have performed songs in the Sing Singapore collection.^[2]

[edit] Criticism

While some of these modern made-to-order patriotic songs have become popular, they have not received universal acclaim. They have been criticized as artificial and propagandistic, "National songs foisted on you from above" as opposed to "Singapore Songs arising from grassroots".^[3] A minor controversy also erupted over "There's No Place I'd Rather Be" (2007). Some people queried why the song does not mention Singapore by name,^[4] while others commented that the song was "touching" and that they related to it immediately, and that "[t]he spirit of patriotism is woven so well in the song".^[5] One correspondent to the Straits Times asked: "How did such a dreadful song become the National Day song?", lambasting the melody as "uninspiring" and the lyrics as "insipid" – "it is quite obvious what the brief to [the composer] was: Write a song to persuade Singaporeans who have sought greener pastures to come home."^[5] The song's composer Jimmy Ye defended it, saying, "There's no need for it to be so in-your-face just because it's a National Day song". He noted that he had submitted the first draft of the song to the National Day Parade song committee, which had returned it with several changes. There was no mention of why "Singapore" got left out: "I guess the committee wanted to have a soft-sell approach too".^[4]

[edit] The National Anthem

Main article: Majulah Singapura

Title	Date	Author(s)	Copyright owner(s)	Lyrics
Majulah Singapura (Onward Singapore)	1958	Lyrics and music: Zubir Said	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts[6]	Original Malay lyrics: 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: 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

[edit] Songs with English lyrics

Title	Date	Author(s)	Copyright owner(s)	First verse and/or chorus
Count On Me, Singapore	1986	Lyrics and music: Hugh Harrison Commissioned by the Cultural Affairs Division, Ministry of Community Development	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[6]	First verse:[7] We have a vision for tomorrow,      Just believe, just believe We have a goal for Singapore,      we can achieve, we can achieve You and me, we'll do our part,      stand together, heart to heart We're going to show the world      what Singapore can be We can achieve, we can achieve Chorus: Count on me Singapore,      count on me Singapore Count on me to give my best and more,      count on me Singapore
Five Stars Arising	1969	Lyrics and music: Lim Su Chong	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[6]	First verse:[8] There's a new moon arising,      out of the stormy sea Youthful and bright and bearing hope,      and tranquil as can be Reach out for the moon above,      savour freedom, truth and love There's a new moon arising,      out of the stormy sea
It's the Little Things		Lyrics: Patrick Seet Music: Ivan Chua	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[6]	Chorus:[9] It's the little things that we share,      the love and joy that's in the air The children's laughter everywhere,      and all our favourite things Over the years, I've grown      accustomed to your ways And no matter where I'll be,      it warms my heart to know that You're always here for me
Moments of Magic	?2000	Lyrics and music: Ken Lim	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[6]	Chorus:[10] Let us celebrate this moment,      a brand new day awaits Let us reach out for our dreams out there Moments of magic we will share Let us celebrate this moment,      a brand new day awaits We will always be a city of friends Time will bring for us to share Moments of magic
One People, One Nation, One Singapore	1990	Lyrics: Jim Aitchison Music: Jeremy Monteiro Commissioned by the Ministry of Information and the Arts	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[6]	Chorus:[11] One people, one nation, one Singapore That's the way that we will be forevermore Every creed and every race,      has its role and has its place One people, one nation, one Singapore
Singapore Town		Lyrics and music: The Sidaislers		First verse:[12] You could take a little trip around      Singapore town In a Singapore city bus To see Collyer Quay and Raffles Place The Esplanade and all of us Chorus: Because in Singapore, Singapore Their hearts are big and wide you'll find Because in Singapore, Singapore You'll find happiness for everyone
Singapura, Sunny Island			MediaCorp Pte. Ltd.[6]	First verse: Singapura, O Singapura Sunny island set in the sea Singapura, O Singapura Pretty flowers bloom for you and me
Stand Up for Singapore	1984	Lyrics and music: Hugh Harrison Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[6]	First verse:[13] Stand up for Singapore, do the best you can Reach out for your fellow man You've got to make a stand Recognise you can play your part Let it come right from your heart Be prepared to give a little more Stand up, stand up for Singapore
There's No Place I'd Rather Be	2007	Lyrics and music: Jimmy Ye		Chorus:[14] There's no place I'd rather be You'll always be a part of me And even though I've roamed the world It's still my home I long to see.
We Are Singapore	1987	Lyrics and music: Hugh Harrison Orchestration: Jeremy Monteiro Commissioned by the Cultural Affairs Division, Ministry of Community Development	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[6]	First verse:[15] There was a time when people said That Singapore won't make it But we did There was a time when troubles Seemed too much for us to take But we did We built a nation Strong and free Reaching out together For peace and harmony Chorus 1: This is my country, this is my flag This is my future, this is my life This is my family, these are my friends We are Singapore, Singaporeans
Will You?	2007	Lyrics and music: Jimmy Ye		First verse:[16] Will you make this island Amazing in all ways? Surprises every corner, Delightful nights and days.

Notes

• The song highlighted in blue was designated as the "millennium song" by the National Arts Council.
• The four songs highlighted in pink were designated as "national songs" by the National Arts Council.
• Songs highlighted in red are National Day Parade theme songs.
• Songs highlighted in yellow were designated as "community songs" by the National Arts Council.

[edit] Songs with Malay lyrics

Title	Date	Author(s)	Copyright owner(s)	First verse and/or chorus
Chan Mali Chan		Folk song	Not copyrighted	First verse:[17] Di mana dia anak kambing saya? Anak kambing saya yang makan daun talas Di mana dia buah hati saya? Buah hati saya bagai telur dikupas Chorus: Chan mali chan, chan mali chan, Chan mali chan, ketipung payung (twice)
Di Tanjung Katong		Folk song	Not copyrighted	First verse:[18] Di Tanjung Katong, airnya biru Disitu tempatnya, dara jelita Duduk sekampung, lagikan rindu Kononlah pula nun jauh di mata
Semoga Bahagia (May You Achieve Happiness)		Lyrics and music: Zubir Said		First verse: Sama-sama maju ke hadapan Pandai cari pelajaran Jaga diri dalam kesihatan Serta sopan-santun dengan kawan-kawan English translation: Together we progress Clever at seeking knowledge Take care of your health And be courteous to your friends

Notes

• Songs highlighted in yellow were designated as "community songs" by the National Arts Council.

[edit] Songs with Mandarin lyrics

Title	Date	Author(s)	Copyright owner(s)	First verse and/or chorus
Xiao Ren Wu De Xin Sheng (Voices from the Heart)			Touch Music Publishing Pte. Ltd.

[edit] Songs with Tamil lyrics

Title	Date	Author(s)	Copyright owner(s)	First verse and/or chorus
Munnaeru Vaalibaa	[unknown]	Folk song	Not copyrighted	Lyrics:[19] Munnaeru vaalibaa munaeri endrum Thoduvaan noakkuvaai Kann theriyaatha Kaari rulil Olirum vinmeenae Thanimaiyaalae payantha naadugal Irulil oli pera unnai naadum Mael noakku vaaliba endrum munnaeri Thoduvaan noakkuvaai thoduvaan noakkuvai

Notes

• Songs highlighted in yellow were designated as "community songs" by the National Arts Council.

[edit] See also

• Music of Singapore – National Day songs
• National Day Parade – National Day songs

[edit] Notes

[edit] Further reading

• Aisha Akbar (comp.) (1966). Thirty-Six Best Loved Songs of Malaysia and Singapore. Singapore: Eastern University Press. 
• Cheng, Shao Chang; Leong Yoon Pin (chief eds.) (1973). Our Songs. Singapore: Educational Publications Bureau.  3 vols.
• (1988) Sing Singapore : A Celebration in Song, National Day 1988. Singapore: F & N Sarsi in conjunction with Psychological Defence Division, Ministry of Communications and Information. 
• Teo, Lay Na (comp.) (1980). Sing a Song of Singapore. Singapore: Educational Publications Bureau. 
• Zubir Said (1990). Zubir Said : His Songs. Singapore: Times Books International for Singapore Cultural Foundation. 

[edit] External links

• National Day Parade, Singapore
• Sing Singapore