Every Singaporean knows the tune. It plays at school assemblies, national events, and whenever the President arrives. But how much do we really know about Majulah Singapura, our national anthem?
Far from being just a song we memorise in school, Majulah Singapura carries the dreams, struggles, and aspirations of a young nation still finding its voice in the world. And it all began not in a government office, but in the heart of a musician who believed in unity through song.
A Song Before It Became a Nation
The story begins in 1958, before Singapore gained self-governance. The City Council of Singapore was preparing to reopen Victoria Theatre, and wanted an original song to mark the occasion. They turned to Zubir Said, a respected local composer from Indonesia who had made Singapore his home.
The brief? Write a song that captured the spirit of a fast-modernising city.
Zubir responded with Majulah Singapura — “Onward Singapore” — inspired by the City Council’s own motto. But he wasn’t just writing for the occasion. He was writing for the people.
The Anthem That Chose Us
A year later, in 1959, Singapore became a self-governing state. We needed a flag, a crest, a pledge — and, of course, an anthem to replace the Colony’s anthem of God Save the Queen. Out of several contenders, Majulah Singapura stood out. Why?
It was simple. It was sincere. And according to Dr Toh Chin Chye, then Deputy Prime Minister, it was written in Malay, “the indigenous language of the region, as English is not native to this part of the world… [the] Malay version of the national anthem would appeal to all races… it can be easily understood. And at the same time can be easily remembered…it must be brief, to the point; … and can be sung.”
Zubir Said’s anthem was officially adopted on 3 December 1959, the same day Yusof Ishak was sworn in as our first Head of State. When Singapore became fully independent in 1965, the song remained — and has played ever since.
What the Lyrics Actually Mean
If you’ve ever listened to the national anthems of other Southeast Asian countries, you’ll notice something unique about ours.
While some anthems focus on revolution (Indonesia Raya, Tiến Quân Ca), monarchy (Negaraku, Nokor Reach), or national defence, Majulah Singapura is calm and aspirational. There’s no mention of fighting, flag-waving, or past glories. Instead, it looks ahead — an anthem not of what we were, but of what we can become.
Majulah Singapura doesn’t glorify war or kings. Instead, it’s a call to unite, to strive for a better tomorrow, and to do it together. Here’s a breakdown of its message:
“Let us, the people of Singapore, march towards happiness together, with noble aspirations. May Singapore succeed. Let us unite with a new spirit, and proclaim together: Onward Singapore.”
It’s not just about patriotism. It’s about shared responsibility and common purpose — values that still shape our identity today.
A Modern Makeover
In 2001, the anthem got a quiet upgrade. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra recorded a new version with richer, more dignified orchestration — the one we hear today. But the melody and lyrics? Still Zubir’s. He even refused to be paid for it at first — a gift, he said, to his adopted homeland.
Zubir actually took a bold leap of faith when he left for Singapore at the age of 21 when he defied his father’s wishes to join the Dutch army. He made a name for himself in the Singapore music scene, becoming a key figure during the golden age of Malay Cinema in Singapore. His most enduring legacy, Majulah Singapura, would eventually become an integral part of Singapore’s national identity.
Did You Know?
- The anthem must always be sung in Malay, even though official translations exist in English, Mandarin, and Tamil.
- Schools used to play a short instrumental version during recess in the 60s!
- Zubir composed over 1,500 songs, including the beloved Malay classic Semoga Bahagia. It’s been the official Children’s Day song in Singapore since 1961, and is also performed at the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF) as its official theme song.
It’s easy to treat Majulah Singapura like background music, especially if you’ve heard it a hundred times. But the next time you stand for it, remember what it represents: A young country, forged from many cultures, determined to move forward — together.
