National Anthem of Vietnam

Song Title : "Tien Quan Ca" ("March tothe Front")

Lyrics : Ngu Yen Van Cao

Music : Ngu Yen Van Cao

Ngu Yen Van Cao, who was a writer and a composer wrote this song in the year 1944. When the song was pubished in the newspaper, the song had a positive feedback from the public. In 1946, the provisional government adopted this song as the national anthem of North Vietnam. When North Vietnam was unified with South Vietnam in the year 1976, this song became the anthem of the whole Vietnam. The song was actually written in two verses. However, only the first verse is used as the official anthem of Vietnam.

Translations of the Lyrics in English

Armies of the Vietnam, forward!,

With one single determination to save our Fatherland,

Our hurried steps resound on a long and arduous road,

Our flag, red with blood of victory, bears the spirit of the country,

The distance rumbling of the gund mingles with our marching song.

The path of glory is built by the bodies of our foes,

Overcoming all hardships, together we build our resistance bases.

Ceaselessly for the People's cause let us struggle,

Let us hasten to the battlefield!

Onward! Altogether advancing!

For one eternal Vietnam.

National Anthem of Thailand

Song Title : "Phleng Chat" ("National Anthem of Thai")

Lyrics: Luang Saranuprapan

Music : Phra Jenduriyang

Thailand had changed it's national anthem for more than three times. This is the current National Anthem of Thailand. The first anthem was first raised when the King paid a visit to the British colony of Singapore and found out that British has its own national anthem and thought that Thailand should have one too. So, the first anthem was introduced and it was unpopular. Even the second and third anthems were short lived. Finally, this anthem remained the anthem of Thailand until today. It was adopted on 10th December, 1939. The anthem was to be played everyday at 8 in the morning and 6 in the evening while the flag is raised and lowered.

Translations of the Lyrics in English

Thailand unites flesh and blood of Thais,

Nation of the people ; belonging to the Thais in every respect,

Long maintained [has been] the independence,

Because the Thais seek, and love, unity,

Thais are peace loving,

But at war we're no cowards,

Sovereignty will not be threatened,

Sacrificing every drop of blood for the nation,

Hail the nation of Thailand, long last the vistory, Chai yo (cheers)

National Anthem of Singapore

Song Title : "Majulah Singapura" ("Onward Singapore")

Lyrics : Zubir Said

Music : Zubir Said

Zubair Said was asked to compose this song and was given a title "Majulah Singapura" as the theme of the song beforehand. It took him a year to complete it and the song was used for the Council's official function in 1958. In 1959, when Singapore attained it's independence, they felt the need to have their own anthem. So, this song was selected as it was a popular song at that time and the lyrics were then revised. The song officially became the National Anthem of Singapore on 9th August 1965, after Singapore gained its full independence. There are laws on the usage of this anthem and if not obeyed, will be penalised. For example, the song is to be sung in Malay only, although there is an authorisation in the translation of the anthem in English, Mandarin and Tamil.

Translation of the Lyrics in English

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.

National Anthem of Myanmar

Song Title : "Kaba Ma Kyei" ("Till The End Of The World, Burma")

Lyrics : Saya Tin

Music : Saya Tin

This song was established as the National Anthem of Myanmar in 1947. It is the only ASEAN country that used an anthem embedded from its own indigineous customs.

Translation of the Lyrics in English

Until the world ends up shattering, long lives Burma!

We love our land because this is our real inheritance.

We will sacrifice our lives to protect our country,

This is our nation, this is our land and it belongs to us,

Being our nation and our land, let us do good causes to our nation in unity!

And, this is our very duty to our invaluable land

National Anthem of the Philippines

Song Title : "Lupang Hinirang" ("Chosen Land")

Lyrics : Jose Palma

Music : Julian Felipe

When this song was adopted as the Philippine National Anthem in 1898, this song had no lyrics. A poem wrote by Jose Palma in Spanish then was used for the song lyrics. When the Americans occupied Phillipines, it later changed the lyrics into an English version and was called 'Phillippine Hymn'. In the 1940s, again, the song was translated into Tagalog. This song had been called by so many names in Tagalog. At last, in 1960s, the National Anthem was revised and the lyrics were changed into the Pilipino, standardised Tagalog version which is used until now. There is a law where the Philippine National Anthem shall be sung in its national language within or outside the country and as for those who violates it will face imprisonment and fines.

Translation of the Lyrics in English (unofficial)

Beloved country,

Pearl of the Orient,

The burning [fervour] of the heart,

In thy chest beats ever alive.

Chosen land,

Thou art the cradle of the brave,

To the conquerors,

Thou shall never surrender.

In the seas and mountains,

In the air and in the azure sky,

There is a splendour in the poem,

And [in the song] for the freedom beloved.

The sparkle of thy flag,

Is victory that shines,

Its stars and sun

Forever shall never dim.

Land of the sun, of glory and our love,

Life is heaven in thy embrace;

It is our joy when they are oppressors,

To die because of thee.

National Anthem of Malaysia

Song Title : "Negaraku" ("My Country")

Lyrics : Multiple authors including Tunku Abdul Rahman as the lead lyricists

Music : Pierre Jean de Beranger

The search for the National Anthem of Malaysia is an interesting story. It started when the country realised that each state in Malaysia has its own anthem but they didn't have an anthem for the country as a whole. So, Tunku Abdul Rahman proposed on a search for a suitable anthem. The search was done by organizing a competition where people worldwide joined but the main objective failed. Their effort then continued by inviting some of the well-known composers from all over the world, but this too failed. Finally, they turned to the National Anthem of one of its state, Perak, called 'Allah Lanjutkan Usia Sultan', and changed the lyrics of this song. And so, Malaysia has their own national anthem as a whole. It was established as Malaysia National Anthem in 1957.

Translation of the Lyrics in English

My country, the country 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.

National Anthem of Indonesia

Song Title : "Indonesia Raya" ("Greater Indonesia")

Lyrics : Wage Rudolf Supartnam

Music : Wage Rudolf Supartman

When Indonesia became an independent state, this song was chosen as the country national anthem on 17th August 1945, eventhough this song had been introduced a long time ago, in 1928. Supratnam, the creator of this song who was also a teacher, produced this song while playing with his violin in the hope that someday the song he created would officially became the National Anthem of Indonesia. His dream came true.

Translation of the Lyrics in English

Indonesia, my native land,

The land where I shed my blood,

There, I stand,

To be the guard of my motherland

Indonesia, my nationality,

My nation and my homeland,

Let us exclaim,

"Indonesia unites!"

Long live my land, long live my state,

My nation, my people, entirely,

Build its soul build its body,

For the Great Indonesia,

REFRAIN:

Great Indonesia, independent and sovereign!

My land, my country, which I love,

Great Indonesia, independent and sovereign!

Long live Great Indonesia

Great Indonesia, independent and sovereign!

My land my country which I love,

Great Indonesia, independent and sovereign!

Long live Great Indonesia!