Ibu (Mother)

Ibu was written by Ahmad Jaafar. Ahmad Jaafar is a Malayan & Singaporean musician who was active around the 30s to 60s.

He was born in Binjai , North Sumatra , Indonesia on August 30, 1919. His mother was named Ulung Rajunah, while his father Jaafar, was a mute movie agent while his uncle was a violinist who decorated entertainment songs in the era of mute films. and the aristocratic stage was screened. His interest in music dates back to a young age. Raised by his grandmother, when he was six years old, he began learning to play percussion (drums) and later played with a cinema band that accompanied silent film screenings. 

Ahmad's formal education only began when he learned to play the violin with his uncle. Then when he was 15 years old, Ahmad used the new skills he acquired to join the Amateur Field Band under the auspices of Sultan Langkat in the early 1930s led by Mohamad Darus Omar, Director of the Sultan Langkat Army Band. While serving with the band, Ahmad received further musical education from the band leader. In 1938, Ahmad became a clarinet player with the Dutch Symphony band, White Society, based in Medan. 

When World War II broke out, Ahmad along with his former bandmates formed a theater group under the coercion of the Japanese army to explore Sumatra and were instructed to make theater performances to spread Japanese propaganda. 

When the war ended, Ahmad was determined to pursue his ambition to serve on Radio Malaya. In 1946, Ahmad and his wife, Sutinah Enchu took a boat ride for more than four hours from Medan to Singapore to try their luck in the Lion City. Arriving in Singapore without a job for almost 2 months, he was finally accepted to be a saxaphone blower in the Cecil Wilson Music Group playing at the Great World Cabaret where he was introduced to Osman Ahmad. With this band, Ahmad gets paid S $ 250 a month. 

In 1949, Ahmad Jaafar joined the new Harry Hackmayer Music Group based at Cathay Restaurant. With this band, Ahmad's salary increased by S $ 400 a month. The band performed in hotels with Malay songs, Latin America as well as theme songs for the show circus. 

In the 1950s, Ahmad managed to become a part-time musician with Radio Malaya. It was during this time that he got a contract with Shaw's Malay Film Productions and also the Cathay Keris Organization to change the background songs and singing for the film. It was at this time that his constantly fresh songs such as Ibu, Selamat Hari Raya and Bunga Tanjong were born. 

In 1958, Ahmad managed to get a permanent job at Radio Malaya as a clarinet, flute and tenor saxophone player, during which time he had the opportunity to perform professionally with the Music Group he founded for the first time, Malayannaires. When Singapore achieved independence in 1965, Ahmad was appointed deputy leader of the newly formed Orchestra, Rayuan Kencana under Radio and Television Singapore (RTS). Two years later, Ahmad was entrusted to be the main leader of the Orchestra until he retired in 1992. In the 1970s, the Orchestra under the leadership of Ahmad Jaafar played to accompany talented singers in the music competition, Talentime.

 In short, Ahmad Jaafar's serious involvement in the field of music began after he migrated to Singapore in 1946. His acquaintance with musician Osman Ahmad facilitated his path to become a musician in Kota Singa. In 1950, he was given the opportunity to create the song Ibu as the theme song of the film of the same title and the song was sung by P.Ramlee. He was later entrusted with producing songs for the film Life and several other films. Among the songs he composed that is still fresh is Selamat Hari Raya sung by singer Saloma. His songs were also sung by Nona Asiah, R. Azmi, Ahmad Daud and many more. Ahmad Jaafar once founded the Kencana Appeal Orchestra which was quite popular in the 50s because he was often invited by Radio Malaya in Singapore.He also led the HMV Orchestra to accompany the recording of P.Ramlee's songs to the black plate such as the recorded songs from the matchmaking film, Mengapakah Riang Ria sung by P.Ramlee & Normadiah and also the song Sungguh Malangnya Nasibku sung by P.Ramlee, the songs in Sedarah Films like Mesra Ibu and Kalaulah Boleh Ku Lupa in Films Aladin. In the early 1990s (1992) he retired from the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation and after that he taught music.In the early 1990s (1992) he retired from the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation and after that he taught music.In the early 1990s (1992) he retired from the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation and after that he taught music.

 Ahmad has composed some of the most popular songs that are popular until now, such as Ibu (P.Ramlee's song - Film Ibu), Selamat Hari Raya (Saloma's song), Bunga Tajung (Rubiah), Hujan Lebat and Tiada Berita. It is believed that Ahmad only composed 80 songs but the number of compositions and musical arrangements is very large, including some compositions for the symphony orchestra that were performed in the program Malam Irama Malaysia organized by Radio Malaysia in the 1960s.

 Ahmad Jaafar has been awarded several medals of honor in recognition of his contributions and these include the Singapore Administrative Star (Bronze) and the Culture Medallion Award (Silver)  .

 To download the easy alphanotes and chords sheet music, look here. Enjoy!

Lyrics

 Ibu ibu engkaulah ratu hatiku

Bila ku berduka engkau hiburkan selalu

Ibu ibu engkaulah ratu hatiku

Tempat menyatakan kasih wahai ibu

 

Betapa tidak hanya engkaulah

Yang menyinari hidupku

Sepanjang masa engkau berkorban

Tidak putusnya bagai air lalu

 

Ibu ibu engkaulah ratu hatiku

Tempatku menyerahkan kasih

Wahai ibu

English Translation

Mother mother you are the queen of my heart

When I am sad you always entertain

Mother mother you are the queen of my heart

A place to express love, mother

 

How are you not the only one

who illuminates my life

All the time you sacrifice

It never breaks like water

 

Mother mother you are the queen of my heart

My place to give love

O mother