2) Indonesian Folk Music: 30's Impian Semalam Lyrics

           

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The original song has two verses, the first sung by a female and the reply by a male. In this instance, it is sung by Uji Rashid. The other version has only one verse and, in this instance by the Ohello Sisters.  It is a livelier one, with hip-shaking gyrations by the two lovely sisters.

I sing it time and again with The Silver Strings. We shall be performing it again on the 18th September (Sunday 3 - 4 pm), at the National Library Ground Floor (Hans Coffee House), at North Bridge Road.

Impian Semalam
The Dream Last Night

Written/Composed By Oei Yok Siang (Indonesia)
Translation by Andy Lim LA (Singapore)

You Tube video from:  Siaran Radio Malaya

(1)
 Waktu semalam bung, aku bermimpi       

Last night dear/brother/lover, I had a dream

Bertemu ular bung, besar sekali
Was confronted by a snake, a very large one

Ular mengiggit bung, jari-kaki ku
The snake dear, bit my toe

Sudah mengiggit bung, ular berlalu
After doing so, the snake moved away

 Ku picit picit bung darah keluar
As I pressed and pressed (the wound), it bled

Aku menjerit "Aduh!" hingga tersadar
I screamed, "Ouch," as I woke up

Apa kah itu bung, erti maksud nya?
What does it mean dear?

Impian semalam, sangat seram-nya?
This dream last night, a most frightful dream?

(2)
Jangan bimbang 'dek, jangan risaukan,

Don't worry dear, don't be too concerned

Itu hanya mimpi, cuma khayalan,
It's only a dream, just an illusion

Bila malam datang, bulan pun terang,
When night comes, the moon shines bright

Bintang pun bersinar, kelip-kelipan,
The stars too shine with twinkling lights

Kuntum yang di taman, sedang berkembang,
One flower in the garden, is in bloom now

Harum baunya aduh, sungguh menawan
Fragrant smelling, oh, it is most attractive

Dicium dipetik, bunga di taman
Kissed, then plucked, this flower in the garden

Itulah ertinya, impian semalam.
That's the meaning of your dream last night.

Version sung by: Uji Rashid.

You Tube video from: Siaran Radio Malaya

by Uji Rashid.

The symbolism is obvious. The song depicts the experience of a pretty young maiden within the confines of flora and fauna. In her dream, the snake appears, bites her and disappears. As she relates her dream to her mother or friend, depending whether it's "bu" ("ibu" - mother), "bung" (brother), the interpretation is clear.

The interpretation is only one of many. Others believe it is just a song about a girl who had a nightmare that turned out to be a pleasant experience when she woke up in the morning.

This song is still very popular among the Indonesians, Malaysians and Singaporeans too, a classic which needs revival for its kampong and traditional beliefs and folklore.

My other interpretation is obvious, that it discusses the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve. Let me know if I am too far-fetched because there are Christians among the Chinese in Indonesia. Some folks say the song is also symbolic of a girl's innocence and her first sin. Sin I am not sure but definitely, she's innocent no more. And the presence of the snake biting the girl, she felt it, as the blood oozed a little and she yelled, ''Aduh,'' [Oh]... I leave the rest to the listener's imagination.

Great composer Mr. Oei.

Out of a list of about 77 Indonesian composers found on its *website, one name stands prominent because Oei Yok Siang wrote three of the Indonesian songs I am familiar with. They are Impian Semalam, Aksi Kucing and the very well-known Gambang Semarang. The other two are Idaman Gadis Teruna and Djaka Lodang. Comment anyone?

Silver Strings with Nick, Andy, Audie, Rickie, John and Mike

the group that accompanies Andy singing 'Impian Semalam'.

*Reference: Pt. Penerbit Karya Musik Pertiwi - Katalog Komposer. It is a music publisher at Jalan Kebon Jeruk No. XV. 13, Kelurahan Maphar, Kecamatan Tamansari, Jakarta Barat 11160.

Image: Indonesian singer Anggun, who does not sing this song. http://discover-indo-tierranet.com/

Impian Semalam by The Stylers 

时代乐乐队 2020

YouTube Video from: Alvin EH Tan

Recommended by Fred Ching, 

music and concert enthusiast.

Original article: Andy Lim Collection.
Translation is also original. 

Please credit writer if you copy it.