The National Heritage Board reports that Singapore’s national anthem made its debut in 1958. It was composed by Encik Zubir Said, and was first played to honor the completion of renovation works on the Victoria Theater. The song is simply titled “Majulah Singapura,” or “Onwards Singapore,” and it became the national anthem the following year.
Said read these words, he stated in 1967 (per National Heritage Board), at the theater itself, and considered them perfect building blocks for a song that espoused the virtues of togetherness and pride that defined the people of Singapore. “May our noble aspiration bring Singapore success,” reads the National Heritage Board’s translation of the song’s lyrics. “Come, let us unite, In a new spirit, Let our voices soar as one, Onward Singapore.” Powerful words indeed.
As Said suggested, they are indeed intrinsically linked to the spirit of Singapore. So much so, it seems, that the entire song was printed on one denomination of Singapore’s bank notes.
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