Terang Bulan

For the 1938 film, see Terang Boelan. For food, see Terang Bulan (food).

"Terang Bulan" (Indonesian for "Bright Moon") is a song from the late 19th century originating from French-controlled territories in the Indian Ocean.

History

The song was composed by Pierre-Jean de Béranger (1780–1857), a French lyricist. It became a popular French melody, and was prominent on the island of Mahé, in what is now the Seychelles. The song's popularity spread across the Indian Ocean and reached as far as Maritime Southeast Asia early in the 20th century.

In 1901, the tune (as Allah Lanjutkan Usia Sultan) was presented as the anthem of Perak during the coronation of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom. In the 1920s, an Indonesian Bangsawan (Malay opera presented by a troupe/theatre company) debuted the song in Singapore.

The melody became popular and was given its present name, becoming an enduring Malay evergreen at parties and cabarets in the 1920s and 1930s. Since the independence of the Federation of Malaya in 1957, public performances of the song and its melody have outlawed, as any such use is proscribed by statute.

Lyrics

Original Indonesian Translation (literal)

Terang bulan, terang di pinggir kali
Buaya timbul disangkalah mati
Jangan percaya mulutnya lelaki
Berani sumpah 'tapi takut mati

Waktu potong padi di tengah sawah
Sambil bernyanyi riuh rendah
Memotong padi semua orang
Sedari pagi sampai petang

Waktu potong padi di tengah sawah
Sambil bernyanyi riuh rendah
Bersenang hati sambil bersuka
Tolonglah kami bersama sama

The moon is shining, moon shine reflects on the river
Floating crocodile thought to be dead
Don't believe man's word
Dare to pledge but afraid of dying

Whilst harvesting paddy in the field
Singing gaily
Everybody is harvesting paddy
morning past to evening (unnoticed)

Whilst harvesting paddy in the field
Singing gaily
Heart at ease while having fun
Help us together

Perak State Anthem

Sultan Idris Murshidul’adzam Shah, the ruler of Perak, was aware of the song's popularity during his exile in the Seychelles for abetting murder. When the Sultan represented the other rulers of the Federated Malay States at the coronation of King Edward VII in 1901, his protocol officer was asked what his state anthem was. The Sultan realised that his state did not possess an anthem, proceeded to hum the aforementioned tune in order not to appear backwards to his hosts, thus 'creating' the state anthem of Perak.[1][2]

Malaysian National Anthem

Main article: Negaraku

Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Chief Minister and Minister for Home Affairs of the Federation of Malaya, selected Perak's state anthem as the Federation's national hymn, on account of its "traditional flavour".[3] The tune was rechristened "Negaraku" and the lyrics were changed, with popular performances in cabarets and parties halting as it became proscribed by statute. When Malaysia was formed in 1963, the song remained the national anthem.

Other versions

Several lyrics set to the tune exist, with their meanings being very similar, as the exact original lyrics are generally considered to be unknown.

Felix Mendelssohn & His Hawaiian Serenaders used the tune of Terang Bulan in their song Mamula Moon, on their 1947 album Paradise Isle.

Dutch version

Dutch singer Zangeres Zonder Naam recorded a Dutch version of "Terang Bulan" (spelt "Terang Boelan"). The meaning in the Dutch version is entirely different from the original lyrics, although the Dutch version mentions the island of Java (or possibly the Dutch East Indies).

See also

References

  1. ↑ The National Anthem of Malaysia - Negaraku
  2. ↑ "7.3.3 Lagu Kebangsaan" from Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Menengah Sejarah Tingkatan 5 (Buku Teks) Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka 2003
  3. ↑ Pemilihan lagu Negaraku

External links

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