Indonesian National Anthem

Hi, everyone well Friday is here again and today so here is some information about the national anthem of Indonesia. The anthem is called Indonesia Raya it has been the national anthem since the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on 17 August 1945.

The first stanza of "Indonesia Raya" was chosen as the national anthem when Indonesia proclaimed its independence on 17 August 1945.

The song is played in flag raising ceremonies in schools across Indonesia every Monday. The flag is raised in a solemn and timed motion so that it reaches the top of the flagpole as the anthem ends. The main flag raising ceremony is held annually on 17 August to commemorate Independence Day. The ceremony is led by the President and is usually held in Merdeka Palace.

In 1951, ownership of the copyright to "Indonesia Raya" came into question. President Sukarno ordered a search for the rightful heir to Soepratman.  By law, Supratman was the copyright holder of "Indonesia Raya" as its composer. After Soepratman's death in 1938, ownership of the rights to his works fell upon the designated heirs, his four surviving sisters. However, because "Indonesia Raya" was officially adopted as the national anthem of Indonesia on 17 August 1945, the work became the property of the state. In addition, the name of "Wage Rudolf Supratman" must be listed as its creator.

As a national anthem, copies of "Indonesia Raya" cannot be circulated as merchandise to be sold. Consequently, the government had the obligation to obtain all the rights to distribute the song, including the original recording, from Yo Kim Tjan. In 1958, the government obtained the sole right to "Indonesia Raya" from Soepratman's family.  The following year, Yo handed the original record of the song to the Indonesian government. With the recommendation of the Department of Education, the government also rewarded Soepratman's sisters with 250,000 Indonesian rupiah each on 31 May 1960.

Here is the English translation

Indonesia, our native country,

Our birthplace,

Where we all arise to stand guard

Over this our Motherland:

Indonesia our nationality,

Our people and our country.

Come then, let us all exclaim

Indonesia united.

Long live our land,

Long live our state,

Our nation, our people, and all

Arise then, its spirit,

Arise, its bodies

For Great Indonesia.


CHORUS

Indonesia the Great, independent and free,

Our beloved country.

Indonesia the Great, independent and free,

Long live Indonesia the Great!


Indonesia, an eminent country,

Our wealthy country,

There we shall be forever.

Indonesia, the country of our ancestors,

A relic of all of us.

Let us pray

For Indonesia's prosperity:

May her soil be fertile

And spirited her soul,

The nation and all the people.

Conscious be her heart

And her mind

For Indonesia the Great.


CHORUS


Indonesia, a sacred country,

Our victorious country:

There we stand

Guarding our true Mother.

Indonesia, a beaming Country,

A country we love with all our heart,

Let's make a vow

That Indonesia be there forever.

Blessed be her people

And her sons,

All her islands, and her seas.

Fast be the country's progress

And the progress of her youth

For Indonesia the Great.