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'Madu dan Racun' means 'Honey and Poison'
in Bahasa Indonesia.
Lyrics [literal translation]:
"Honey in your right hand; poison in your left.
Don't know which one you will be giving me..."
High beginners lady dancers from:
I must first thank Evonne Dance Studio for putting up this enchanting video of the company's charming and talented dancers on YouTube. With one million views plus and a music backing by Bill and Brod with the late but well-known Arie Wibowo, [singer composer of Madu dan Rachun], this short but delightful episode with sarong-kebaya-clad nyonyas [ladies] is enthralling!
Evonne Dance Studio
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia.
Choreographers:
Tan Bee Chu
Jaynie Loy
April 2022
Music:
Bill & Brod
Song:
Madu Dan Racun
Many thanks to all these petite nyonyas for the dance item.
Nyonyas are Peranakan ladies,
from the Straits, known for their
sarong [skirt] n kebaya [blouse] outfits.
It is not surprising that with the influence of colonialism these past 80 years or so, after WW2, we have diluted some of our own South East Asian music heritage. But all is not lost. Let's hope that with the advent of a resurgence in this part of the world, we would be listening and watching more of such performances from our Asiatic shores.
So the beat goes on, our kind!
I'm sure you have some comments to make! Please do!
Check this one too:
Indonesian Bill and Brod Pop Group
sang the backing song, Madu dan Rachun
[Honey and Poison].
Disclaimer:
[This posting is not an advertisement but an appreciative gesture. I was mesmerised by the gracefulness of the lady dancers, the song accompaniment and decided to write about it.]
28 comments:
Hiroshi Deguchi
I remember I was shocked and loved at first hear when this song sung by Li Mao Shan flew into my ears some place in Chinatown SG in mid 80s. I bought the cassette on the spot and have been listening to it until today, though I still don't understand the meaning. I found out later that the song was sung in many other languages. Those were the good old days.
Andy Young
Hiroshi Deguchi ok, I'll do the translation and put it up; special for my good friend from Japan... Thanks for the visit Hiroshi.
Andy Young
Thanks to SOMKID too for being quick on the draw and LIKING this post.
Michael Lee [from SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA]
One of the truly iconic songs from South East Asia regardless of the language it is sung.
Andy Young
Michael Lee very true. You know your songs. I salute you. It's been translated into many many languages.
Love this song.
Perks me up whenever this song is within earshot and wherever I happen to be.
And never tired of listening to it.
Watching the nyonya ladies in their colorful kebayas dancing to this song a a delight too!
THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THIS TRANSLATION:
Bill & Brod
LyricsListenArtists
You are beautiful, you are sweet, you are spoiled
Engkau yang cantik, engkau yang manis, engkau yang manja
Always blush prone to your attitude behind your troubles
Selalu tersipu rawan sikapmu di balik kemelutmu
In the shadow of your fog, in the veil of your clouds
Di remang kabutmu, di tabir mega-megamu
I saw two hands behind your back
Ku melihat dua tangan di balik punggungmu
Honey in your right hand, poison in your left
Madu di tangan kananmu, racun di tangan kirimu
I don't know which one you will give me
Aku tak tahu mana yang akan kau berikan padaku
I don't know which one you will give me
Aku tak tahu mana yang akan kau berikan padaku
You are beautiful, you are sweet, you are spoiled
Engkau yang cantik, engkau yang manis, engkau yang manja
Always blush prone to your attitude behind your troubles
Selalu tersipu rawan sikapmu di balik kemelutmu
In the shadow of your fog, in the veil of your clouds
Di remang kabutmu, di tabir mega-megamu
I saw two hands behind your back
Ku melihat dua tangan di balik punggungmu
Honey in your right hand, poison in your left
Madu di tangan kananmu, racun di tangan kirimu
I don't know which one you will give me
Aku tak tahu mana yang akan kau berikan padaku
I don't know which one you will give me
Aku tak tahu mana yang akan kau berikan padaku
I don't know which one you will give me
Aku tak tahu mana yang akan kau berikan pada ku
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Arie Wibowo
Madu Dan Racun lyrics © Pt. Harmoni Digital Publisherindo
Hi ROSE, thanks for always connecting with the blog.
Appreciate your visits.
Cheers.
🙏
Yes, never tired listening to it.
Love your adjective PERKS.
Thanks to everyone who wrote in early to comment.
Appreciating this Indonesian song opens up for more hits like this one to span our Asian galaxy.
Wow! Beautiful ladies, wonderful dancing and a very catchy song with more than 1 million views, it's "more than I can say..." Fantastic!
Best musical video and well-choreographed dance by Sarong Kebaya Nyonyas...
I heard this song in Batam and learnt the meaning of the lyrics first I took the honey next the poison now I am dying .. of old age
Fred Ching
Still remember veteran Taiwanese crooner Li Mao Shan emerging as the champion in a singing competition Brother Andy! So fortunate to have the chance to get up close and personal with him at Resort World Compass Ballroom for a one night concert in Singapore.
Thanks Hiroshi for the reminder of this song. Just remember I have more than a dozen of his albums stored somewhere. Must go look for it. I want to listen to this again.
Cheers
👍❤️🥰..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzIxC7OS4d0
Thanks Andy.
Circulated.
Yes, almost every wk someone will sing this song -
with our Live band pop jam sessions.
Cheers.
Happy New Year, Andy.
So great to see your blog going strong.
Hope you're well.
Oh OK
That's how pop it is.
Composer / singer died young.
Pity!
They are good; the Indonesians.
This is what true cultural evolution should be.
Hey Horace,
That's a short but powerful comment from an established musician like you.
Thank you.
One of the top Asian favourite songs which has been immortalised. The rhythm, melody and beat simply memerises the listener. The lyrics are cheeky with a hint of revenge. And I love those sarong kebaya ladies dancing. Added flavour.
Freda Hanum
Nice song post Andy and translation...loved listening to this song, simple and melodious
Andy Young
Freda Hanum yes, lovely indeed. Such an unforgettable rhythm and beat.
Koh Daisy
Love this song …we do line dancing with this song too.
Michael Lee
Koh Daisy Yes, very good for line dancing. Don't have to be country or country and western music.
Andy Young
Michael Lee exactly. It's time South East Asians show off their music and talent too. Cheers Michael.
Andy Young
Koh Daisy oh! I didn't know. Thanks for the information. Hopefully I can watch a line dance with this song...
Koh Daisy
They have had the dance for a few years already. Line-dancers also dance to popular Chinese/ Thai songs as well including oldies. Recently at our local CC dance sessions we also danced to CNY songs.
Graceful and very feminine.
Sarong party girls??
I was joking lah. Will read later this evening.
Enchanting dancers.
I commented because familiar with this song.
There’s another Mering Mera ..
danced to it at Batam Vanilla Hotel rooftop band…
A couple of songs I recall during the WW11 years were:
1: Momo Tarro San2
2: The Yanks Are Coming.
3: Why Did I Kiss That
Girl.
4: Yes We Have No Bananas.
5: Lovely Hull-a Hands.
6: On The Beach Of
Waikiki.
7: Make Way Oh
Make Way.
8: Moon Above Malaya.
..Whatever I could recall..
Oh yes and
The Rose Chan days…
Can’t remember her doing any singing other than striptease dancing.
This one is an Indonesian song Wilfred.
Not Western ones.
Thanks for your contribution.
And to the other readers too, thank you.
Andy,
I have sent your very colourful and interesting blog to several WhatsApp chats and friends including Donny, professional guitarist at Yan Kedai Kopi in Jakarta.
He was the one who invited me to sing along with when I visited last year with my golfer friends.
Peranakan ladies are called Nonyas. Men are Babas:
At lunch yesterday with my group of friends at Joo Chiat who were fascinated when I told them the history of Koon Seng Road and Joo Chiat Road [1920 when the two Peranakans came to Singapore, bought the land, a coconut plantation; to give us the PERANAKAN ARCHITECTURAL shophouses and Residential Houses.
I could watch the dance video with the Indonesian song a million times and never get tired of it. It has that attractiveness and magic that draws an audience to the grace and beauty of sarong kebaya princesses who dance so well, in tune, embracing culture and tradition.
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