Know Your Lyrics

August 31, 2009 was the 52nd Merdeka Independence Day. On August 31, 1957, Malaya became independent from Great Britain. Then on September 16, 1963, Malaysia was formed with the addition of Sarawak and Sabah and Singapore. Singapore later became an independent republic in 1965. Hope everyone remember the history taught in school.

At the recent Bayan Baru Installation Dinner on August 22, the event started with the singing of the National Anthem - "Negara Ku". As any patriotic Malaysian, it is important to know the exact lyrics even if you cannot sing in tune. The words carry the meaning.

I have reproduced the lyris in case anyone has forgotten since singing it every Monday during the school years.



"Negaraku, tanah tumpahnya darahku,
Rakyat hidup, bersatu dan maju,
Rahmat bahagia, Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita, selamat bertahkta.
Rahmat bahagia, Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita, selamat bertahta"

Translation in English:
My country, the land where my blood is shed,
The people live united and progressive,
Blessings of happiness, may God grant,
(And that) our King may reign in peace.
Blessings of happiness, may God grant,
(And that) our King may reign in peace.

By protocol, in Penang, the Penang State Anthem will be played immediately after the National Anthem at every official state event, so here are the lyrics.



"Selamat Tuhan kurniakan
Selamat Pulau Pinang
Negeriku yang mulia
Ku taat dan setia
Aman dan bahagia
Majulah jayalah
Negeriku yang ku cinta
Bersatu dan bersama
Untuk negeri kita"

Translation in English:
May God grant safety
Safety to Penang
My noble state
To which I am loyal and faithful
Peaceful and happy
May you progress and succeed
My state which I love
United and together
For our state

As Toastmasters International is an USA based organization, when you visit USA for the Toastmasters Irternational Convention or other reasons, you may attend an event especially baseball or American football game where it is customary to sing the National Anthem before the game begins. And at least be prepared to know a bit of the American National Anthem. I learned the song when I was studying in the US. There are 4 verses of "The Star Spangled Banner" but usually only the first verse is sung.



"Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave"