time to change the national anthem???

tripwire SG

latest news... from across the causeway... i think if malaysia thinks their national anthem is in need of change because of the lack of appeal... singapore national anthem is ... well... fading away?

worst.. though i hate to put my country down.. and GOD knows i love my country... BUT...

........ its hard for me to admit this... but.....

our national anthem is....... sigh...........

Crying or Very sad

Malaysia rejigs national anthem to boost patriotism
KUALA LUMPUR -- Worried the national anthem has lost its patriotic punch, Malaysia is revamping the somber, decades-old tune with new lyrics and a more spirited beat, an official said on Wednesday.

Most Malaysians can recite the anthem by heart as it is sung during daily assemblies at many schools. However officials say young people no longer fully appreciate its lyrics, which include references to "the land where my blood flows", "our king safely crowned" and "citizens living united and progressive".

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The proposed changes to the anthem, called "Negaraku" or "My Country," would be the most dramatic to the Malay-language piece since Malaysians began singing it when the country achieved independence from Britain in 1957.

The anthem's title would remain unchanged but its opening line is expected to be changed from "My country" to "My Malaysia," said Mr Wah Idris, a prominent composer whom the government chose to develop the revisions.

The changes -- which are still subject to approval by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's Cabinet -- are likely to include a more rousing rhythm but no adjustments to the melody, which is based on a traditional Malay folk song, Mr Wah told The Associated Press.

The remodeled version will be officially launched during National Day celebrations on Aug 31, the Utusan Malaysia newspaper reported, adding that the changes were "meant to inject a deeper love for the country".

Officials have tried to update the anthem once before -- in 1992 -- to make it more upbeat. but the revamped version was criticised for sounding too much like a pop song, and the more stately version eventually returned to favour. -- AP

kopiosatu SG

personally i find nothing wrong with our national anthem.
but i do know the malaysian national anthem sounds boring.

wuming78 SG

even if we really do want to change do we want to do it NOW? Wink

cavsg SG

this issue was hotly debated 13 years ago when goh chok tong just became prime minister and during one of his walk abouts somebody suggested it. it became a national debate and most singaporeans agree that there is no need to change it.

IAF SG

i spent time as a student in the states and envy the way those people there cherish their anthem 'star-spangled banner'. Always playing it at the start of basketball, football & baseball games..and everyone standing up doing some full-throated singing. Hearing them, i can almost imagine, back then, that the anthem, the way it is written and sung, reminds them of who they are and makes them proud to be red, white & blue Smile

shutthehellup SG

whatever..

Master -_- SG

Its better not to change ah... Rolling Eyes

NeonTetra SG

change for wat? there is nothing wrong with the tune and lyrics except that it is in malay. i am alrite with the current national anthemn or go we need to change it into english with pop musics to appeal to the future generations???

Instead of 'MAJULAH SINGAPURA' we change to 'HANG ON THERE, SINGGY' ???

kopiosatu SG

spencer99 SG

Sometimes, I think the reason why I am holding back and not singing our National Anthem whole-heartedly is because it is in Malay.

I don't have anything against the Malay language, but it is a fact that most Singaporeans do not understand Malay, even if there is a translation, the person singing will not be able to grasp the full meaning.

I think it is time to change it to English, so that we can all fully appreciate what we are singing, which I think is the essence of having a anthem in the first place.

NeonTetra SG

hhmm….don understand can try to mah…army commands, motto on crests also in malay so the fact we say we dont understand shows our lack of interest in it. English is universal but not our native language mah…..people my dad’s age…in their fifties and onwards see malay as an impt language and many chinese in those days study malay as second language

kanzer SG

The national anthem is the root, the fundamental and soul of the nation. Anyone out there that suggest that we can the anthem or lyrics into English obviously have a lack of appreciation for the national anthem. We need to ask ourselves whether do we need to change just because most of us cannot understand or speak Malay. If the answer is yes, that is pretty shallow. The national anthem and flag is a symbol of the country. This is what we are. We don’t change just because we want to move with times or appeal to future generations or because we don’t understand it. The onus is on the population to learn and appreciate it and not the other way round.

NeonTetra SG

well said....certain things can change with time...ur hairstyle and beliefs but some core values shouldnt be changing all the time.....certain things just need to be anchored firmly to the ground.....moral values can even change...now it's the national anthemn's turn???

tripwire SG

i believe that we all understand the value of the national anthem and many of us are proud to be called singaporeans...

however... the question i am putting forward is.... is the singapore current national anthem PERFORMING FULLY its role AS a NATIONAL ANTHEM? NOW... lets not be emotional here... just plain logics....

I also wish to note that "majulah singapura" was not supposed to be a NATIONAL ANTHEM when it was created.... am i wrong??

as someone noted... how proud the americans sang their national anthems... how the national anthem brings forth their patriotism AND UNITE the people under the flag...

DID "majulah singapura" achieve the same effect... or has it failed...

if it is successful... then its ok....

BUT if it has failed... whats the purpose of keeping a broken recorder?

xian89 SG

i tot there is a english version of the singapore national anthem.

kopiosatu SG

its the people... not the anthem

u can get a bunch of american who don't care about their country and get them to sing it like secondary school kids do with 'majulah singapura'

Master -_- SG

try standing still when the national anthem plays suddenly.. i am sure u will get goosebumps Rolling Eyes

tripwire SG

oh... there is one other thing i forgot to add...

i am not advocating the change in the national anthem to some hip-hop or britney spear pop song....

nor am i advocating that the national anthem should change as time changes...

BUT one thing we can be certain is that... a GOOD song... GOOD music transcends time and can be appreciated not only to those in the past.. but also to the present generations as well as the generations to come....

take the american national anthem... they didnt create the anthem once every 10 or 20 or 50 years... its created over a 100 years ago!!

if i am correct in 1814... THATS well before even raffles stepped on singapore's shore!!

kopiosatu SG

if in uniform, must be in attention...

tripwire SG

lets not say getting a bunch... or deal with the minority... i believe every country has its fair share of mercenaries... BUT the question here is NOT about those "mercenaric" people... but the National anthem... isit performing its pre-dedicated functions as a NATIONAL ANTHEM?

i believe most people... if not everyone knew that... after the 911 incident.. singapore held a vigil at the national stadium for the victims and many americans as well as singaporeans (mainly singaporeans) were present... the event was live telecasted too...

NOW... when the american national anthem came on... you can here the resonance as the americans sang with pride, strength and determination... united in voice and spirit to their country's call....

WHEN... Majulah singapura came on...... ehh..... all i here is the music..... Crying or Very sad there are no echoes... a few whimper, the TV shows the PM open and close his mouth like a goldfish.... and thats it....

the difference is like heaven and earth...... Rolling Eyes