Indonesian National Anthem

History of the Indonesian Anthem

The name of the Indonesian national anthem is called "Indonesia Raya", which is directly translated to "Great Indonesia" in English. The song was composed by Wage Rudolf Supratman, a national hero and singer, during the second Indonesian Youth Congress. The song was created as a way to display national pride and to move towards a single nation, breaking away from the Dutch East Indies rather than partitioning the land into several provinces or states. The song was adopted as the national anthem in 1945 after Indonesia officially declared independence from its Dutch authorities.

The national anthem is played at every ceremony and every Monday in all schools throughout the entire country. Interestingly enough, flag bearers time the cadence to the song during their raising, so that it reaches the peak of the pole at the exact moment the anthem ends. During the national day of independence, August 17, all who are able must stand and face the music - paying respect. The exception is military personnel, who must hold their salute throughout the entire duration.

Indonesian National Anthem Lyrics

Indonesia National Anthem


In Indonesian
Indonesia tanah airku,
Tanah tumpah darahku,
Disanalah aku berdiri,
Jadi pandu ibuku,
Indonesia kebangsaanku,
Bangsa dan tanah airku,
Marilah kita berseru:
"Indonesia bersatu!"
Hiduplah tanahku,
Hiduplah negeriku,
Bangsaku, Rakyatku semuanya.
Bangunlah jiwanya,
Bangunlah badannya
Untuk Indonesia Raya!


CHORUS


Indonesia Raya, merdeka, merdeka
Tanahku, negeriku yang kucinta
Indonesia Raya, merdeka, merdeka
Hiduplah Indonesia Raya


Indonesia! Tanah yang mulia,
Tanah kita yang kaya.
Disanalah aku berada
Untuk slamalamanya.
Indonesia, Tanah pusaka,
Psaka Kita semuanya.
Marilah kita mendoa,
"Indonesia bahagia!"
Suburlah Tanahnya,
Suburlah jiwanya,
Bansanya, Rakyatnya semuanya.
Sadarlah hatinya,
Sadarlah budinya
Untuk Indonesia Raya.


CHORUS


Indonesia! Tanah yang sutyi,
Tanah kita yang sakti.
Disanalah aku berdiri
Ndyaga ibu sedyati.
Indonesia! Tanah berseri,
Tanah yung aku sayangi.
Marilah kita berjanji:
"Indonesia abadi!"
Slamatlah Rakyatnya,
Slamatlah putranya,
Pulaunya, lautnya semuanya.
Majulah Begrinya,
Majulah Pandunya
Untuk Indonesia Raya.


CHORUS


English Translation


Indonesia, our native country,
Our birthplace,
Where we all arise to stand guard
Over this our Motherland:
Indonesia is 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 hearts,
Let's make a vow
That Indonesia will 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.


CHORUS.