How to Sing Singapore’s National Anthem: Majulah Singapura

Singapore's 45th birthday is just tomorrow! I'm so excited! Anyway, a few days back, Abang Long have posted a blog post about past national day songs. It was a hit blog post for me these few days. Do remember to vote for your favourite songs.

Other than official theme national day songs, I'm very sure, without fail, the whole of Singapore will be singing the national anthem "Majulah Singapura" together with the pledge.

By the way, the whole of Singapore will be reciting the pledge at approximately 8:10pm on National Day itself.

Since the national anthem will be sung, why not we recap how to sing it. You'll be asking.

"Abang Long, why must we recap again?"

Well, we have sang it numerous time during our school days. Unfortunately, when you go to the working world, there aren't many opportunites to sing it again.

Let's admit it, many of us would forget the lyrics of the song. Not only Taufik.

- History of The National Anthem
- The Lyrics of The National Anthem & The Translations
- How to Sing Singapore's National Anthem: Majulah Singapura
- Singapore National Anthem: Majulah Singapura

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Singapore's national anthem, Majulah Singapura, was composed in Malay by Zubir Said in 1958. Besides the original Malay lyrics, there are translations of the Singapore national anthem in the other three official languages; English, Chinese and Tamil.

History
Majulah Singapura was played for the first time by the Singapore Chamber Ensemble as a concert item to mark the reopening of the Victoria Theatre on 6 September 1958. It was written before Zubir Said himself became a Singapore citizen and was originally intended for the City Council. However, the City Council was dissolved in 1959 when Singapore became a self-governing state. Toh Chin Chye (Dr), then the Deputy Prime Minister, chose the already popular song as an anthem to unite the new city-state. After slight amendments, the song was approved by the Legislative Assembly as Singapore's national anthem on 11 November 1959.

Majulah Singapura was played for the first time by the Singapore Chamber Ensemble as a concert item to mark the reopening of the Victoria Theatre on 6 September 1958.

On 3 December 1959, during Loyalty Week, the song was formally presented as Singapore's national anthem, along with the Singapore flag. Upon Singapore's independence in 1965, the song was adopted as Singapore's national anthem.

On 19 January 2001, the anthem was relaunched in the key of "F major". The original version is in the key of "G major". This version, which offers a grander expression, was rearranged by cultural award winner, Phoon Yew Tien, and recorded on 20 November 2000, played by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra at the Victoria Concert Hall. This is not the first time the anthem had been sung on a lower key. In 1983, schools were given an educational tape describing common mistakes made in singing the anthem, and they were also given the option to sing in "F major". An abridged version of the anthem has been used by official bodies since 1965 although an expanded version exists, used only in grand ceremonial functions. The version before Phoon's was by Englishman Michael Hurd and was first recorded by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in 1989.

Majulah Singapura means "Onward Singapore" and is written in Malay. Other anthems had been sung as Singapore's national anthem prior to using Majulah Singapura.

Source

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Majulah Singapura

Mari kita ra'yat
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)

We, the people of Singapore
Together march towards happiness
Our noble aspiration
To make Singapore a success
Let us all unite
In a new spirit
Together we proclaim
Onward Singapore
Onward Singapore



前进吧，新加坡！
(Chinese Translation)

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 Version


Source

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How to Sing Singapore’s National Anthem: Majulah Singapura

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Singapore National Anthem : Majulah Singapura