Go on, take up the anthem challenge

It may be sung at national events and school assemblies islandwide, but some Singaporeans may not know the meaning of the National Anthem when they sing it.

Worse still, they may mispronounce certain words, giving the anthem a different meaning - which mortified Mr Raymond Huang, 49, founder of non-profit youth organisation Heartware Network.

For instance, he heard some young people singing the opening lines of Majulah Singapura wrongly. Some sang "Mari kita rah-rah", or "Mari kita raya".

"Then they tell me, Mr Raymond, because there's hari raya here," said Mr Huang.

"I was flabbergasted," he added.

To fix this, he started what he calls the 50-day Anthem Challenge three weeks ago.

He, too, had come to the sobering realisation that he did not know the meaning of the words when he sang the anthem last month.

"People are lipping the anthem, but don't spare a thought for what the words actually mean," Mr Huang said.

For the challenge, he is encouraging youth to post videos of themselves singing two lines of the National Anthem on social media platforms such as Facebook. Challenge participants will provide an English translation of the Malay lyrics, and explain what the lines mean.

After that, they are supposed to tag a number of their friends, who will then record themselves singing the next two lines, and include a translation and explanation.

Through this, Mr Huang hopes to spread awareness of the National Anthem's meaning. He aims to make this an annual affair that will start 50 days before National Day.

He has already kicked off the challenge by singing the anthem's first two lines and tagging six people to carry on where he left off.

"There are more than 20 people doing it now. I hope to get all the young people involved in this year's National Day Parade to participate," he said.

One of them is recent graduate Ronald Wee, 27, who has carried on with the next two lines of the anthem. "It helped me find out what the words in the anthem mean," said Mr Wee.

"The anthem is just eight lines and there will be repeat videos explaining the same lines, but the repetition will help reinforce the meaning," he added.

THE LYRICS

The music and lyrics of Majulah Singapura were composed by the late Zubir Said.

Upon Singapore's Independence in 1965, it was adopted as the Republic's National Anthem.

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

English translation

Onward Singapore

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

Source: National Heritage Board

https://app.singapore.sg/about-singapore/national-symbols/national-anthem

This article was first published on July 9, 2015.
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