Sunday 12 September 2021

Gema Rembulan

Gema Rembulan was composed by Jimmy Boyle. James W. Boyle, better known as Jimmy Boyle, was a Penangite musician of Eurasian extraction. He composed and wrote the lyrics to Untuk Negeri Kita, which was adopted as the state anthem of Penang a year after his death.

Boyle was born on the 26th July 1922 on Kelawai Road, Penang (in what was then the Straits Settlements) to Jeanne Moissinac and John Walter Patrick Boyle. He attended St. Xavier's Institution, and continued his education at Raffles College, Singapore. In 1946, he was hired by St. Xavier's to teach.

Boyle would become a composer for the Classical Saxophone Quarter, NW University Brass Ensemble. His work has received praise from the likes of Charles Lloyd (jazz musician) and Jack Teagarden, and has been played on BBC and Voice of America.

A proud moment in his life came about when one of his compositions, Kemegahan Negaraku (My Country's Majesty), was chosen to be played at the inaugural raising of the Malaysian flag, on the 31st August 1957.
On the 8th May 1971, Boyle passed away of an intracerebral haemorrhage.
To download the easy alphanotes and chords sheet music, look here. Enjoy!

Lyrics:
Bulan menyinari diangkasa
Menembus kegelapan cuaca
Tak terbanding segalanya disulohkan nyata
Semalaman menyinari ka segenap maya
Andainyalah menciptakan hati Si pemuda dan pemudi peri 
Di segenap sudut ka seluruh neg'ri 
Sang Rembulan menyerikan bumi.

English Translation: 

The moon shines in the sky

Penetrate the darkness of the weather

Incomparable, everything is real

Overnight shining into the whole virtual

Suppose you create the hearts of the young man and the fairy girl

On every corner to the whole country

The Moon gives the earth.






















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