English: Onward Singapore | |
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A replica of a handwritten score of Majulah Singapura exhibited at the National Museum of Singapore. The original is currently on display at the Malay Heritage Centre.
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National anthem of Singapore |
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Lyrics | Zubir Said, 1958 |
Music | Zubir Said, 1958 |
Adopted | 1965 |
Music sample | |
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Majulah Singapura (English: Onward Singapore; Chinese: 前进吧,新加坡; Tamil: முன்னேறட்டும் சிங்கப்பூர்) is the national anthem of Singapore. Composed by Zubir Said in 1958 as a theme song for official functions of the City Council of Singapore, the song was selected in 1959 as the island's anthem when it attained self-government. Upon full independence in 1965, Majulah Singapura was formally adopted as Singapore's national anthem. By law, the anthem must be sung with Malay lyrics, but there are authorised translations of the lyrics of the anthem in Singapore's three other official languages: English, Mandarin and Tamil.
Originally composed in the key of G major, the national anthem was officially relaunched in 2001 in the lower key of F major as it was said to allow for a "grander and more inspiring arrangement".
The national anthem is regularly performed or sung in schools and armed forces camps at ceremonies held at the beginning and/or the end of each day, during which the national flag is also raised and lowered and the national pledge is taken. Singaporeans are especially encouraged to sing the national anthem on occasions of national celebration or national significance such as at the National Day Parade, at National Day observance ceremonies conducted by educational institutions and government departments and at sporting events at which Singapore teams are participating.