Rasa Sayang Eh

Today's Malay folk song can be downloaded here. In view of the start the "Puasa" month i.e. fasting, for the Muslim's all over the world, I thought it would be fun to arrange a few South East Asian Malay folk songs into Alpha notes format. 

"Rasa Sayang" (pronounced [ˈrasa 'sajaŋ], literally "loving feeling") or "Rasa Sayange" is a folk song from Maluku, Indonesia, popular in Malaysia and Singapore. The basis of "Rasa Sayang" is similar to Dondang Sayang and other Malay folk songs, which take their form from the pantun, a traditional ethnic Malay poetic form.

Controversy over the song's provenance came to a head in 2007 when the Malaysian Tourism Board released the Rasa Sayang Commercial, an advertisement used as part of Malaysia's "Truly Asia" tourism campaign. Some Indonesians have accused Malaysia of heritage theft. Malaysia in return claimed that the song belongs to people of Malay archipelago, Malaysians and Indonesians alike. Malaysian Tourism Minister Adnan Mansor stated, "It is a folk song from the Nusantara (Malay archipelago) and we are part of the Nusantara.".

The Malaysian Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Rais Yatim, recognize that Rasa Sayange is a shared property, between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indonesian media reported to have in possession the oldest recording of the song. "Rasa Sayange" is known to be recorded first at the 1962 Lokananta Solo record company on November 11, 2007. The LPs were distributed as souvenirs to participants of the 4th Asian Games in 1962 in Jakarta, and the song "Rasa Sayange" was one of the Indonesian folk songs on the dish, along with other Indonesian ethnic songs such as Cheers for Joy, O Ina ni Keke, and Sengko Dainang.

Earlier in 1959, a comedy film in Malay language titled Rasa Sayang Eh was produced by Cathay Keris in Singapore. The song also appeared in the Japanese film Marai no Tora in 1943, depicting the exploits of a Japanese secret agent Tani Yutaka in Malaya during the World War II.

In 1954 and 1950, Indonesia launched films entitled Lewat Djam Malam and Darah dan Doa by director Usmar Ismail, which included the song "Rasa Sayange". But long before that, the Dutch East Indies now (Indonesia) had made promotional recordings using this song before World War II. This film, titled Insulinde zooals het leeft en werkt, was published between 1927 and 1940, and is described as a silent film (not talking). A copy of this digital film was distributed via YouTube by multimedia expert Roy Suryo, who claimed to have found this digital film, but admitted that he had not yet found the original film. The rhythm of the song Rasa Sayang that was heard in the film Insulinde, a film that portrays the Dutch East Indies from 1927-1940, can be watched in Rasa Sayang Sayange in the Dutch film. The original footage of this film is stored in the Gedung Arsip Nasional, Jakarta. In addition, this film also once existed under the title Insulinde (1925) which was directed by Max Hauschild.

 

 Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion. Thank you and God Bless!

Malay lyrics	English translation	Poetic English Translation
Rasa sayang, hey! Rasa sayang sayang, hey! Hey, lihat nona jauh, Rasa sayang sayang, hey! Buah cempedak di luar pagar, Ambil galah tolong jolokkan; Saya budak baru belajar, Kalau salah tolong tunjukkan. Pulau pandan jauh ke tengah, Gunung daik bercabang tiga; Hancur badan di kandung tanah, Budi yang baik dikenang juga. Dua tiga kucing berlari, Mana sama si kucing belang; Dua tiga boleh ku cari, Mana sama adik seorang. Pisang emas dibawa berlayar, Masak sebiji di atas peti; Hutang emas boleh di bayar, Hutang budi di bawa mati.	I've got that loving feeling, hey! I've got that loving feeling, hey! See that girl in the distance, I've got that loving feeling hey! The cempedak fruit is outside the fence, Take a pole and poke it down; I'm just a child trying to learn, So if i'm wrong then please tell me. Pandan Island far in midst, With the three peaked Mount Daik; While the body decomposes in earth, Good deeds remain to be remembered. Two or three cats are running around, With the striped one which can vie; Two or three I can find, Which girl can compare with you. Pisang emas brought on a sailing trip, One ripens on a box; If gold is owed, it can be repaid, But if it is gratitude, it is carried to the grave.	I've got that loving feeling, hey! I've got that loving feeling, hey! See that girl in the distance, I've got that loving feeling hey! Where cempedak tree grows without the fence, Go prod them gently with a stake; A youthful learner I, so hence, Be please to point out each mistake. The Pandan Isle is far from land, Have three peaks does the Daik Mountain; Though the self has rot in the sand, The good deeds are never forgotten. Two or three cats are running around, The cat with stripes is the one superior; Two or three (gals) can be easily found, But not the same as having you, my dear. With golden plantains sail away, Whilst on a chest lies one that’s ripe; The debts of gold we can repay, But debts of kindness last through life.

Fairest Lord Jesus

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This hymn is originally a Silesian folk song, and the German text were printed for the first time in 1842 by August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben and Ernst Richter under the name Schönster Herr Jesu (Most beautiful Lord Jesus). For more information, look here, here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion. Thank you and God Bless!


1 Fairest Lord Jesus,
ruler of all nature,
O thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor,
thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.


2 Fair are the meadows,
fairer still the woodlands,
robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer
who makes the woeful heart to sing.


3 Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heaven can boast.


4 Beautiful Savior!
Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine.

A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" (German: "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott") is one of the best known hymns by thereformer Martin Luther, who wrote many hymns. Luther wrote the words and composed the melody sometime between 1527 and 1529.[1] It has been translated into English at least seventy times and also into many other languages.[1][2]The words are a paraphrase of Psalm 46. For more information look here, here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion. Thank you and God Bless!


1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.


2 Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.


3 And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.


4 That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!

All Creatures of Our God and King

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This hymn is an English Christian Easter hymn by William Henry Draper, based on a poem by St Francis of Assisi. It was first published in a hymn book in 1919. for more information can be found here, here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion. Thank you and God Bless!


1 All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing:,
alleluia, alleluia!
O burning sun with golden beam,
and shining moon with silver gleam,
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!


2 O rushing wind so wild and strong,
white clouds that sail in heaven along,
alleluia, alleluia!
New rising dawn in praise rejoice;
you lights of evening find a voice:
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!


3 Cool flowing water, pure and clear,
make music for your Lord to hear:
alleluia, alleluia!
Fierce fire, so masterful and bright,
providing us with warmth and light.
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!


4 Earth ever fertile, day by day
bring forth your blessings on our way;
alleluia, alleluia!
All flowers and fruits that is you grow,
let the his glory also show;
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!


5 All you who are of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part;
alleluia, alleluia!
All you who pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and on him cast your care;
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!


6 Let all things their Creator bless,
and worship him in humbleness,
alleluia, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One:
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

All Glory Laud and Honor

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This hymn is an English translation by John Mason Neale of Latin hymn "Gloria, laus et honor", which was written by Theodulf of Orléans in 820.[1] It is a Palm Sunday hymn, based on Matthew 21:1–11 and the occasion of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. For more information. look here, here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion. Thank you and God Bless!


1. All glory, laud, and honor
To thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David's royal Son,
Who in the Lord's name comest,
The King and Blessed One.

2. The company of angels
Are praising thee on high,
And mortal men and all things
Created make reply.
The people of the Hebrews
With palms before thee went;
Our praise and love and anthems
Before thee we present.

3. To thee, before thy passion,
They sang their hymns of praise;
To thee, now high exalted,
Our melody we raise.
Thou didst accept their praises;
Accept the love we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King.

Be Thou My Vision

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. This is a traditional hymn from Ireland. The most well known English version, with some minor variations, was translated by Eleanor Hull and published in 1912. For more information, look here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion. Thank you and God Bless!


Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,
be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;
be thou my best thought in the day and the night,
both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word,
be thou ever with me, and I with thee Lord;
be thou my great Father, and I thy true son;
be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
be thou my whole armor, be thou my true might;
be thou my soul's shelter, be thou my strong tower:
O raise thou me heavenward, great Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise:
be thou mine inheritance now and always;
be thou and thou only the first in my heart;
O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of heaven, thou heaven's bright sun,
O grant me its joys after victory is won;
great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.

The Lord's My Shepherd

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. For more information, look here, here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion. Thank you and God Bless!


1 The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.

2 My soul He doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E’en for His own name’s sake.

3 Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.

4 My table Thou hast furnished
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.

5 Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me,
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling-place shall be.

Jesus the Very Thought of Thee

Today's hymn can be downloaded here. The  words was originaly written by Ber­nard of Clair­vaux, 12th Cen­tu­ry (Je­su dul­cis me­mor­ia);and then trans­lat­ed from La­tin to Eng­lish by Ed­ward Cas­wall,Lyra Ca­thol­i­ca, 1849. The music was composed by St. Ag­nes, John B. Dykes, in Hymn­al for Use in the Eng­lish Church, by John Grey, 1866. For more information, look here and here.  Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion. Thank you and God Bless!


1. Jesus, the very thought of thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far thy face to see
And in thy presence rest.

2. Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the mem'ry find
A sweeter sound than thy blest name,
O Savior of mankind!

3. O hope of ev'ry contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind thou art!
How good to those who seek!

4. Jesus, our only joy be thou,
As thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be thou our glory now,
And thru eternity.

To Market, To Market

Today's nursery rhyme can be downloaded here. This nursery rhyme[1] which is based upon the traditional rural activity of going to a market or fair where agricultural produce would be bought and sold. For more information, look here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion. Thank you and God Bless!

Three Blind Mice

Today's English nursery rhyme can be downloaded  here. This nursery rhyme was first published by Frederick Warne & Co., an illustrated children's book by John W. Ivimey entitled The Complete Version of Ye Three Blind Mice, fleshes the mice out into mischievous characters who seek adventure, eventually being taken in by a farmer whose wife chases them from the house and into a bramble bush, which blinds them. Soon after, their tails are removed by "the butcher's wife" when the complete version incorporates the original verse. The story ends with them using a tonic to grow new tails and recover their eyesight, learning a trade (making wood chips, according to the accompanying illustration), buying a house and living happily ever after. Published perhaps in 1900,[3] the book is now in the public domain. For more information, look here and here. Please feel free to leave a comment or suggestion. Thank you and God Bless!

The original lyrics are:

Three Blinde Mice,

Three Blinde Mice,

Dame Iulian,

Dame Iulian,

the Miller and his merry olde Wife,

she scrapte her tripe licke thou the knife.

 This is the modern version :

Three blind mice, three blind mice,
See how they run, see how they run,
They all ran after the farmer's wife,
Who cut off their tails with a carving knife,
Did you ever see such a thing in your life,
As three blind mice?

Read a different version:

Three blind mice, three blind mice
See how they spin, see how they spin
They pin the tail on the kitty cat,
While wearing silly party hats.
Did you ever see such a silly sight,
As three blind mice.