Terang Bulan

"Terang Bulan" was a famous song during the late 19th century in the French occupied territories in the Indian Ocean.

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 Seychelles. The song's popularity spread across the Indian Ocean and reached as far as the Malay Archipelago early in the 20th century. An Indonesian Bangsawan made the first debut of the song while performing in Singapore. The melody soon became very popular among the the people and was given the name "Terang Bulan"(Bright Moon), becoming a Malay 'evergreen'.

Perak State Anthem

The Sultan of Perak, during his exile in Seychelles, was aware of the song's popularity. When a member of the Perak royal family was invited to a reception in Europe, he was asked about his state's anthem. Realizing that Perak does not have any such anthem, and to avoid from being seen as a backward state, he hummed the tunes of the song, thus becoming the state anthem of Perak.

Adoption as Malaysian National Anthem

The Chief Minister and Minister for Home Affairs of the then Federation of Malaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman settled with "Terang Bulan" as the National Anthem of the Federation, on account of its "traditional flavour". The name was changed to Negaraku, the lyrics were changed and popular replays of the songs in cabarets and parties were ceased as it is now proscribed by statute. When Malaysia was formed the song remains as the country's national anthem.

The tune of "Terang Bulan" was adopted as Mamula Moon song by Felix Mendelssohn & His Hawaiian Serenaders in their album "Paradise Isle" in 1947.

Original translation

Terang Bulan (original song)

Terang bulan
Terang bulan di kali
Buaya timbul disangkalah mati
Jangan percaya mulutlah lelaki
Berani sumpah 'tapi takut mati
Jangan percaya mulutlah 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

English translation

"'Moon Shine

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

Whilst cutting paddy in the middle of the field
While singing noisily
Cutting paddy is everyone
Unrealised morning to evening

Whilst cutting paddy in the middle of the field
While singing noisily
Heart at ease while having fun
Help us together

References

"7.3.3 Lagu Kebangsaan" from Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Menengah Sejarah Tingkatan 5 (Buku Teks)Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka 2003

ources

*http://www.geocities.com/blimbin_hilversum/