Sixty-four years ago on Aug 31, “Negaraku” resounded Malaya’s long-awaited independence.
The whole nation was on its feet and thousands were filled with tears as they chanted “Merdeka” while watching the Jalur Gemilang unfurl.
Today, many are still moved as they celebrate Merdeka Day with hand-held flags waving to the rousing melody of “Negaraku”. And while the national anthem is certainly the most significant, there are many other tunes that can similarly evoke a sense of pride and patriotism.
In search of some of the nation’s most memorable patriotic songs, FMT speaks with Paul Augustin, the man behind Penang House of Music and co-author of “Just For The Love Of It: Popular Music in Penang, 1930s-1960s”, who has been in the music industry since he was a teen.
Now 61, Augustin is bringing back nostalgia with a selection of yesteryear Merdeka songs that any true Malaysian should know.
1. Negaraku
With its fanfare and symbolic drums, every Malaysian knows the national anthem, though only a handful might be aware the melody wasn’t composed by a local but a Frenchman.
Augustin remembers the good old days when “Negaraku” would echo through Malaysians’ houses from tiny radios and televisions.
“Back then we only had the national radio and one channel on the television, which was black and white,” Augustin says, remembering that each broadcast always ended with the vocal version of the anthem.
“We had to sing it at school assemblies, and in the olden days, it was even played in cinemas before the start of the movie and everyone would stand.”
Augustin still stops in his tracks whenever he hears the tune. “If I don’t stop what I am doing and stand, I feel like I’ve done something wrong,” he chuckles.
2. Malaysia Berjaya
“Malaysia kita sudah berjaya / Aman makmur bahagia / Malaysia abadi selamanya / Berjaya dan berjaya.”
Other than the sentiments of loyalty towards the country, “Malaysia Berjaya” and “Negaraku” have one thing in common – the musical genius of Saiful Bahri.
While he left his mark on “Negaraku” with its lyrics, he played a bigger role in “Malaysia Berjaya” as its composer.
“This song is very uplifting and is easy to sing along to,” Augustin says.
“Malaysia Berjaya” was first recorded by Jamaludin Alias, and until today, its cheery tune ignites a sense of belonging.
3. Kemegahan Negaraku
“Kemegahan Negaraku”, which translates to “Pride of the Nation”, was one of the other songs played alongside the national anthem during the inaugural raising of the flag in 1957.
It was composed by Penang composer James W Boyle – better known as Jimmy Boyle – and has a “strong ‘patriotic’ melody and lyrics”, according to Augustin.
Indeed, with words like “Malaysiaku maha perkasa / Negaraku indah murni” and a sea of drums, it is bound to make anyone bob their head, hum, and even march to the beat.
4. Putera Puteri
If you’re in search of something jazzy, look no further than Zainal Abu’s rendition of “Putera Puteri”, also composed by Jimmy Boyle with lyrics by Dol Baharim.
With Boyle’s soothing score and Zainal’s honey-smooth vocals, it is a warm walk down memory lane for many.
“Jimmy Boyle was a very good musician and composer from Penang,” Augustin says fondly. “He was a teacher who played music part-time, and he actually taught at the La Salle school I attended before he passed away in 1971.”
Boyle had an eventful career and composed more than 300 songs.
5. Tanah Pusaka
“It has a beautifully haunting melody with very strong lyrics,” Augustin says of this song by Ahmad Merican, famously performed by Bing Slamet.
As a fellow Penangite, Augustin had the opportunity to speak with the composer. “I asked Ahmad about ‘Tanah Pusaka’ and he told me he wrote it as part of his job,” he shares.
“At that time he was attached to Radio Malaya and the country needed patriotic songs and were asking people to compose, so he wrote this by himself in a single day.”
‘A renewed sense of patriotism’
There are many other anthems the younger generation might remember, such as “Tanggal Tiga Puluh Satu” and “Setia”, but the few Augustin has mentioned will strike a chord with the older generation.
Besides evoking feelings of nostalgia, Augustin hopes Malaysians will listen to these songs and feel a renewed sense of loyalty to the country, which, according to him, should be a lifelong thing.
“Why do we only think about patriotism when Aug 31 comes around? I was born in Malaysia and am Malaysian every day of the year,” he says.
“You do not need to feel patriotic just for a day or a certain time. I call this place home; nothing and nobody can take that away from me.”
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