Zubir Said, the Composer of Majulah Singapura

8. The Storm Afterwards

Chapter 8 The Storm Afterwards rb111313_iseas_zubir_layout_c8_v5.indd 210 13/9/12 11:07 AM Fighting tooth and nail to defend his honour As a composer who treasured and respected his own work, Papa did not approve any changes to his original work — be it the melody or the lyrics — without his permission. He lived by a certain set of principles in his relationship with people (including his family) and observed these with decorum, sincerity and honesty throughout his life. He expected no less from himself than from other people. Whenever there were requests for his songs, he would emphatically state his conditions. This happened mostly in relation to his precious compositions, such as Ikatan Budaya, Angkatan Pemuda Satria, Tanah Bangsa dan Daulat and Melayu Raya. A case in point was when he sent, on request, the scores of these songs to Kesatuan Persuratan Pelajar-pelajar Melayu, Selangor (KPPMS). With his songs he sent the following reminder. Ada satu permintaan saya kepada pelajar2 yang akan menyanyikan lagu2 itu: Janganlah tukar, robah atau pinda kata2 dari lagu2 tersebut. Misalnya perkataan ‘MELAYU’ jangan dijadikan MALAYA’ d.l.l. Juga nyanyikanlah menurut melodi lagu yang tertulis, janganlah dibunga-bungakan sehingga melemahkan wujud penggubahnya. Seringkali hal ini saya dengar dari siaran Radio K.L. dalam ‘Tanah, Bangsa dan Daulat’, istimewa dalam menyanyikan perkataan MERDEKA di-hujung lagu itu.1 (I have a request to make to the students who will sing these songs: Do not change, alter or adapt the words in the songs. For example, do not alter the word “MELAYU” to become “MALAYA” and so on. Also sing the melody as written, do not make it flowery as it will weaken the essence of the composer’s intention. I often hear this in the broadcast from Radio K.L. in ‘Tanah, Bangsa dan Daulat’, especially when singing the word “MERDEKA” at the end of the song.) As mentioned above, Papa disliked anyone messing with his songs. He was known to have said to Nona Asiah,2 “seperti orang yang masuk rumah orang lain, pindahkan perabot-perabot sesuka hati”. (It is as if you enter into somebody’s house, and move his furniture around as you please.) His worst fear that some unscrupulous individuals might tamper with his music without his permission became a reality. Papa lamented that Semoga Bahagia, which had been formally adopted as the anthem for Singapore schools, had been “tarnished”, and, with it, his “image”. Some of the lyrics and melody of Semoga Bahagia had apparently been altered and the name of a new arranger had been written “on top of the song sheet”. The Storm Afterwards 211 rb111313_iseas_zubir_layout_c8_v5.indd 211 13/9/12 11:07 AM Papa publicly and strongly expressed his utter disappointment. It became public news. On 25 August 1974, Papa wrote a strong letter to the New Nation, condemning the act. With it was an interesting cover letter to the editor. Dear Sir, Would you be so kind to publish my attached letter in the NEW NATION. It is about the damaging of my prestige as the original composer of a song called “SEMOGA BAHAGIA.” I realize that there is no copyright law for music and song in Singapore, that is why I choose to publish my arguments in NEW NATION since it is a Singapore newspaper and my case is an affair in Singapore. Please, pardon me for my poor English expressions in the letter. To prove my arguments I attach herewith the original composition printed in 1957 and also the recently circularised version where you can observe the comparison between the original and the adulterated words and music.3 Yours faithfully, And for general readers he wrote, on the same day: Dear Sir, Nobody has the right to alter or change the perspective and colours of a painting done by somebody else and put his name also on the canvas. He is damaging the prestige of the original painter. If he knows better he should paint another by himself. I think it is also the case with music & song composition. Just recently I came to know that one of my patriotic songs has been circulated to the schools in Singapore to be taught to students. Several alterations in the words and music were made. I was not informed at all concerning the alterations. A melodic phrase has been changed, another one omitted and the refrain entirely cut out. A few bars squeezed in...