List of Singaporean patriotic songs

This article contains a list of Singaporean patriotic songs. A patriotic song is one which inspires feelings of pride in one's country. The list has both traditional folk songs that have special meaning to Singaporeans, as well as modern songs composed specifically for national celebrations, particularly the National Day Parade held on 9 August each year, Singapore's National Day.

Generally speaking, there may be said to be two types of Singaporean patriotic songs. The first type are traditional folk songs that have, over time, come to have special meaning to Singaporeans. Many of these are in vernacular languages – Malay, Mandarin and Tamil, for instance. Examples of such songs include Malay song "Di Tanjung Katong" and Tamil song "Munnaeru Vaalibaa".

The second type are the comparatively modern songs, mostly in English, that were composed specifically for national events – particularly the National Day Parade held annually on 9 August – and for use in schools. Each year since 1985, the National Day Parade Executive Committee has designated one such song as a National Day Parade theme song. The song is usually broadcast on radio and television starting from a month before National Day, and is given prominence during the Parade itself. Examples of such songs include "Stand Up for Singapore" (1985), "Count On Me, Singapore" (1986) and "One People, One Nation, One Singapore" (1990). In 1998, there were 2 National Day Parade theme songs, "Home" and "City For The World" and one of them was reused for National Day Parade in 2004. Then in 2007 they used two National Day Parade theme songs, "There's No Place I'd Rather Be" and "Will You?".^[1] As for the National Day Ceremony song, My People My Home, it was conducted by Dr Lee Tzu Pheng, it came out in the late 1990s and was reused for National Day Parade 2012, together with Love at First Light which is sung by 27-year-old singer, Olivia Ong.

In 1984, the National Arts Council inaugurated the Sing Singapore Festival, the aim of which was to discover and promote home-grown music and artistes. According to the Council, it also hoped to nurture a love for music and singing and cultivate a greater sense of togetherness amongst Singaporeans. The programme led to the creation of a number of new songs by Singaporean composers, some of which were selected for National Day celebrations. These included "Home" (1998) by Dick Lee, "Where I Belong" (2001) by Tanya Chua, and "A Place in My Heart" (2003) by Kevin Quah. Local singers such as Taufik Batisah, Kit Chan and Stefanie Sun have performed songs in the Sing Singapore collection.^[2]

Critical reception

While some of these modern made-to-order patriotic songs have become popular in the country, they have not received universal acclaim. They have been criticized as artificial and propagandistic, "National songs foisted on you from above" as opposed to "Singapore Songs arising from grassroots".^[3] A minor controversy also erupted over "There's No Place I'd Rather Be" (2007). Some people queried why the song does not mention Singapore by name,^[4] while others commented that the song was "touching" and that they related to it immediately, and that "[t]he spirit of patriotism is woven so well in the song".^[5] One correspondent to the Straits Times asked: "How did such a dreadful song become the National Day song?", lambasting the melody as "uninspiring" and the lyrics as "insipid" – "it is quite obvious what the brief to [the composer] was: Write a song to persuade Singaporeans who have sought greener pastures to come home."^[5] The song's composer Jimmy Ye defended it, saying, "There's no need for it to be so in-your-face just because it's a National Day song". He noted that he had submitted the first draft of the song to the National Day Parade song committee, which had returned it with several changes. There was no mention of why "Singapore" got left out: "I guess the committee wanted to have a soft-sell approach too".^[4]

The National Anthem

Title	Date	Author(s)	Copyright owner(s)	Lyrics
Majulah Singapura (Onward Singapore)	1958	Lyrics and music: Zubir Said	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts[6]	Official Malay lyrics: 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 Marilah kita bersatu Dengan semangat yang baru Semua kita berseru Majulah Singapura Majulah Singapura English translation: 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 Come, let us unite In a new spirit Let our voices soar as one Onward Singapore Onward Singapore Chinese translation: 来吧，新加坡人民 让我们共同向幸福迈进 我们崇高的理想 要使新加坡成功 来吧，让我们以新的精神 团结在一起 我们齐声欢呼 前进吧，新加坡 前进吧，新加坡 来吧，让我们以新的精神 团结在一起 我们齐声欢呼 前进吧，新加坡 前进吧，新加坡 Tamil translation: சிங்கப்பூர் மக்கள் நாம் செல்வோம் மகிழ்வை நோக்கியே சிங்கப்பூரின் வெற்றிதான் சிறந்த நம் நாட்டமே ஒன்றிணைவோம் அனைவரும் ஓங்கிடும் புத்துணர்வுடன் முழங்குவோம் ஒன்றித்தே முன்னேறட்டும் சிங்கப்பூர் முன்னேறட்டும் சிங்கப்பூர் ஒன்றிணைவோம் அனைவரும் ஓங்கிடும் புத்துணர்வுடன் முழங்குவோம் ஒன்றித்தே முன்னேறட்டும் சிங்கப்பூர் முன்னேறட்டும் சிங்கப்பூர்

National Day Theme Songs (by year)

Year	Song	Singers	Chinese Version	Singers
1984	"Stand Up for Singapore"
1985
1986	"Count on Me Singapore"	Clement Chow
1987	"We are Singapore"	Jonathan Tan, Roslinda Baharudin, Anne Weerapass and Robert Fernando
1988
1990	"One People, One Nation, One Singapore"
1992	"It's the Little Things"
1997	"Future in My Dreams"	SAF Music and Drama Company
1998	"Home"	Kit Chan	家	Kit Chan 陈洁仪
	"City for the World"
1999	"Together"	Evelyn Tan & Dreamz FM	心连心	Evelyn Tan & Dreamz FM 陈毓云、梦飞船
2000	"Shine on Me"	Jai Wahab	星月	Mavis Hee 许美静
2001	"Where I Belong"	Tanya Chua	属于	Tanya Chua 蔡健雅
2002	"We Will Get There"	Stefanie Sun	一起走到	Stefanie Sun 孙燕姿
2003	"One United People"		全心全意
2004	"Home"	Kit Chan and JJ Lin The MTV versions were choral renditions performed by Young Voices, which comprises the Choirs from the Tanjong Katong Girls' School and Tampines Primary School.	家	Kit Chan and JJ Lin 陈洁仪、林俊杰
2005	"Reach Out for the Skies"	Taufik Batisah and Rui En	勇敢向前飞	Rui En 瑞恩
2006	"My Island Home"	Kaira Gong	幸福的图形	Kaira Gong 龚诗嘉
2007	"There's No Place I'd Rather Be"	Kit Chan
	"Will You"	Janani Sridhar, Asha Edmund, Emma Yong, Lily Ann Rahmat, Jai Wahab, Shabir Mohammed, Sebastian Tan, Gani Karim
2008	"Shine for Singapore"	Hady Mirza	晴空万里	Joi Chua 蔡淳佳
2009	"What Do You See?"	Electrico	就在这里	Kelvin Tan 陈伟联
2010	"Song for Singapore"	Corrinne May
2011	"In a Heartbeat"	Sylvia Ratonel
2012	"Love At First Light"	Olivia Ong and Natanya Tan
2013	"One Singapore"	68-member choir "Sing A Nation"
2015	"Our Singapore"	Dick Lee & JJ Lin[7]
2016	"Tomorrow's Here Today"	53A

Songs with English lyrics

Title	Date	Author(s)	Copyright owner(s)	First verse and/or chorus
Count On Me, Singapore	1986	Lyrics and music: Hugh Harrison Commissioned by the Cultural Affairs Division, Ministry of Community Development	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council	We have a vision for tomorrow, just believe, just believe We have a goal for Singapore, we can achieve, we can achieve You and me, we'll do our part, stand together, heart to heart We're going to show the world what Singapore can be We can achieve, we can achieve There is something down the road that we can strive for We are told no dream's too bold that we can't try for There's a spirit in the air, it's a feeling we all share We're going to build a better life, for you and me We can achieve, we can achieve Count on me Singapore, count on me to give my best and more You and me, we'll do our part, stand together, heart to heart We're going to show the world what Singapore can be We can achieve, we can achieve Chorus: Count on me Singapore, Count on me Singapore Count on me to give my best and more, count on me Singapore (Repeat Chorus) Together Singapore, Singapore! (x2)
Five Stars Arising	1969	Lyrics and music: Lim Su Chong	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[6]	First verse:[8] There's a new moon arising, out of the stormy sea Youthful and bright and bearing hope, and tranquil as can be Reach out for the moon above, savour freedom, truth and love There's a new moon arising, out of the stormy sea
It's the Little Things	1992	Lyrics: Patrick Seet Music: Ivan Chua	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[6]	Chorus:[9] It's the little things that we share, the love and joy that's in the air The children's laughter everywhere, and all our favourite things Over the years, I've grown accustomed to your ways And no matter where I'll be, it warms my heart to know that You're always here for me
Moments of Magic	1999	Lyrics and music: Ken Lim	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[6]	Chorus:[10] Let us celebrate this moment, A brand new day awaits Let us reach out for our dreams out there Moments of magic we will share Let us celebrate this moment, A brand new day awaits We will always be a city of friends Time will bring for us to share Moments of magic
One People, One Nation, One Singapore	1990	Lyrics: Jim Aitchison Music: Jeremy Monteiro Commissioned by the Ministry of Information and the Arts	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[6]	"First verse":[11] We've built a nation with our hands The toil of people from a dozen lands. Strangers when we first begun, now we are Singaporeans Let's reach out for Singapore. Join our hands forevermore Chorus:[11] One people, one nation, one Singapore That's the way that we will be forevermore Every creed and every race, has its role and has its place One people, one nation, one Singapore
Singapore Town	1967	Lyrics and music: The Sidaislers		First verse:[12] You could take a little trip around Singapore town In a Singapore city bus To see Collyer Quay and Raffles Place The Esplanade and all of us Chorus: Because in Singapore, Singapore Their hearts are big and wide you'll find Because in Singapore, Singapore You'll find happiness for everyone
Singapura, Sunny Island	1962	Translated from Indonesian version	MediaCorp Pte. Ltd.[6]	First verse: Singapura, O Singapura Sunny island set in the sea Singapura, O Singapura Pretty flowers bloom for you and me
Song for Singapore	2010	Lyrics and music: Corrinne May[13]		Chorus:[14] I want to sing Sing a song for Singapore With every generation there's more to be grateful for So come and sing Sing a song for Singapore You're my brother you're my sister I'm thankful for my Singapore My Singapore Singapore
Stand Up for Singapore	1984	Lyrics and music: Hugh Harrison Commissioned by the Ministry of Culture	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[6]	First verse:[15] Stand up for Singapore, do the best you can Reach out for your fellow man You've got to make a stand Recognise you can play your part Let it come right from your heart Be prepared to give a little more Stand up, stand up for Singapore
There's No Place I'd Rather Be	2007	Lyrics and music: Jimmy Ye		Chorus:[16] There's no place I'd rather be You'll always be a part of me And even though I've roamed the world It's still my home I long to see.
These Are The Days	2015	Lyrics and music: Lee Chin Sin		Chorus: These are the days To breathe and feel To touch the skies To name our dreams and make them real And never close our eyes We've fought the fears We've braved the years When all we could believe was all we had to give Now what we only dreamed is what we live
We Are Singapore	1987	Lyrics and music: Hugh Harrison Orchestration: Jeremy Monteiro Commissioned by the Cultural Affairs Division, Ministry of Community Development	Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the National Arts Council[6]	First verse:[17] There was a time when people said That Singapore won't make it But we did There was a time when troubles Seemed too much for us to take But we did We built a nation Strong and free Reaching out together For peace and harmony Chorus 1: This is my country, this is my flag This is my future, this is my life This is my family, these are my friends We are Singapore, Singaporeans
What Do You See?	2009	Lyrics and music: Electrico		Chorus:[18] See the moon and the stars, look how far we have come Look around at our faces, they shine brightly in the sun With our hopes and dreams, imagine what tomorrow it may bring What do you see? What do you see?
Will you	2007	Lyrics and music: Jimmy Ye		First verse:[19] Will you make this island Amazing in all ways? Surprises every corner, Delightful nights and days.

Notes

• The song highlighted in blue was designated as the "millennium song" by the National Arts Council.
• The four songs highlighted in pink were designated as "national songs" by the National Arts Council.
• Songs highlighted in red are National Day Parade theme songs.
• Songs highlighted in yellow were designated as "community songs" by the National Arts Council.
• The song highlighted in green is the winner of SG50: The Gift of Song.

Songs with Malay lyrics

Title	Date	Author(s)	Copyright owner(s)	First verse and/or chorus
Chan Mali Chan	2010	Indonesian Folk Song - from Nusa Tenggara - video with original indonesian lyrics	Not copyrighted	First verse:[20] Di mana dia anak kambing saya? Anak kambing saya yang makan daun talas Di mana dia buah hati saya? Buah hati saya bagai telur dikupas Chorus: Chan mali chan, chan mali chan, Chan mali chan, ketipung payung (twice)
Di Tanjung Katong		Folk song	Not copyrighted	First verse:[21] Di Tanjung Katong, airnya biru Disitu tempatnya, dara jelita Duduk sekampung, lagikan rindu Kononlah pula nun jauh di mata
Semoga Bahagia (May You Achieve Happiness)		Lyrics and music: Zubir Said		First verse: Sama-sama maju ke hadapan Pandai cari pelajaran Jaga diri dalam kesihatan Serta sopan-santun dengan kawan-kawan English translation: Together we progress Clever at seeking knowledge Take care of your health And be courteous to your friends

Notes

• Songs highlighted in yellow were designated as "community songs" by the National Arts Council.
• Semoga Bahagia was designated as the official Children's Day song.

Songs with Mandarin lyrics

Title	Date	Author(s)	Copyright owner(s)	First verse and/or chorus
小人物的心声 (Xiao Ren Wu De Xin Sheng) (Voices from the Heart)	1986	Lyrics: Bok Sek Yieng Music: Tan Kian Chin	Touch Music Publishing Pte. Ltd.	First verse:[22] 也许我一个人,不能成就一番大事业 但我尽力贡献一份微薄的力量 [Perhaps I, as only one person, can't take on a large task But I can work hard and contribute a decent effort.]

Songs with Tamil lyrics

Title	Date	Author(s)	Copyright owner(s)	First verse and/or chorus
Munnaeru Vaalibaa	1966	S. Jesudassan	Not copyrighted	Lyrics:[23] Munnaeru vaalibaa munaeri endrum Thoduvaan noakkuvaai Kann theriyaatha Kaari rulil Olirum vinmeenae Thanimaiyaalae payantha naadugal Irulil oli pera unnai naadum Mael noakku vaaliba endrum munnaeri Thoduvaan noakkuvaai thoduvaan noakkuvai The lyrics in English are: Forward o'youth forever advancing Look to horizons far Eyes do not grope in the depths of the night That look on a shining star Nations fearful in apartness Need your sight to light their darkness Look up o'youth forever advancing Look to horizons far...
Engkal Singapore		Lyrics: Peri Nela Palanivelan Music: L Krishna Samy	Not copyrighted	Lyrics: Engkal Singapore - ithu Engkal Singapore - inbam Engkum pongkum Engkal Singapore Oru nilaiyaana aatchi ulakil Uyarnthu oangkum naadu - engkal Orumaippaattinai vilakkum - ina Otrumai kanda naadu

Notes

• Songs highlighted in yellow were designated as "community songs" by the National Arts Council.

See also

• Music of Singapore – National Day songs
• National Day Parade – Theme songs

Notes

1. Official website of the National Day Parade, retrieved 23 June 2007.
2. Sing Singapore: Background, National Arts Council, 2005, retrieved 23 June 2007.
3. Tan, Shzr Ee (c. 2000), "'Authentic Fakesong': The Sing Singapore Campaign", IIAS Newsletter Online, International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS) (26), retrieved 23 June 2007.
4. Frankie Chee (12 August 2007), "Why no Singapore?", The Sunday Times (LifeStyle), p. L2.
5. "National Day song gets mixed response", The Straits Times (Life!), p. 4, 18 August 2007.
6. Sing Singapore: Useful Information: Copyrights of the Songs in the Sing Singapore Collection, National Arts Council, 2005, retrieved 24 June 2007.
7. http://www.ndp.org.sg/the-six-chapters/
8. Five Stars Arising, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, retrieved 23 June 2007.
9. It's the Little Things, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, retrieved 23 June 2007.
10. Moments of Magic, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, retrieved 23 June 2007.
11. One People, One Nation, One Singapore, Sing Singapore National Arts Council, retrieved 23 June 2007.
12. Singapore Town, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, retrieved 23 June 2007.
13. Jermyn Chow (8 July 2010), "Corrinne May's ode to Singapore: US-based Singaporean to perform National Day theme song at Padang", The Straits Times.
14. NDP 2010 Theme Song – "Song for Singapore" by Corrinne May! on YouTube.
15. Stand Up for Singapore, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, retrieved 23 June 2007.
16. There's No Place I'd Rather Be, National Day Parade Executive Committee, 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
17. We Are Singapore, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, retrieved 23 June 2007.
18. NDP09 theme song – What do you see?, National Day Parade Executive Committee, 2009, retrieved 14 July 2009.
19. Will You?, National Day Parade Executive Committee, 2007, retrieved 23 June 2007.
20. Chan Mali Chan, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, retrieved 23 June 2007.
21. Di Tanjung Katong, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, retrieved 23 June 2007.
22. List of works/arrangements for Choir, Phoon Yew Tien, retrieved 14 July 2009.
23. Munnaeru Vaalibaa, Sing Singapore, National Arts Council, retrieved 23 June 2007.

Further reading

• Aisha Akbar, comp. (1966), Thirty-Six Best Loved Songs of Malaysia and Singapore, Singapore: Eastern University Press.
• Cheng, Shao Chang; Leong, Yoon Pin, chief eds. (1973), Our Songs, Singapore: Educational Publications Bureau, 3 vols.
• Sing Singapore: A Celebration in Song, National Day 1988, Singapore: F & N Sarsi in conjunction with Psychological Defence Division, Ministry of Communications and Information, 1988.
• Teo, Lay Na, comp. (1980), Sing a Song of Singapore, Singapore: Educational Publications Bureau.
• Zubir Said (1990), Zubir Said: His Songs, Singapore: Times Books International for Singapore Cultural Foundation.

External links

• www.sg music page
• National Day Parade, Singapore
• Sing Singapore