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.
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
