Onward Singapore

Onward Singapore
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

Above is the official English translation of the Singapore National Anthem (Majulah Singapura).

The anthem is written by Zubir Said in 1959, the year Singapore became a self-governing state. It is performed with its original Malay lyrics in schools daily and other important national occasions like National Day.

I would say that many Singaporeans would know the tune and how to sing the Malay words but most non-Malay speaker would not understand the lyrics. According to a survey published in Straits Times in 26/7/91, the leading national English newspaper, only 20% of those interviewed knew the meaning of the words (Birch). The rest sing it with arousing pride without knowing what it meant. I admit now that I am part of that 80%.

What does this mean?

I am at this stage reminded about Lina's work which is series of prints based on the National Athem.
(bearing in mind that the anthem although composed by Said, it is a mediarised rhetoric constructed by the State.)

Notes:
Birch, David. Singapore Media: Communication Strategies and Practices. Asia Paper No.1: Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University. Melbourne: Longman Chesire, 1993.