In 1984, the National Arts Council inaugurated the Sing Singapore Festival, the aim of which was to discover and promote home-grown music and artistes.
According to the Council, it also hoped to nurture a love for music and singing and cultivate a greater sense of togetherness amongst Singaporeans.
The programme led to the creation of a number of new songs by Singaporean composers, some of which were selected for National Day celebrations.
These included "Home" (1998) by Dick Lee, "Where I Belong" (2001) by Tanya Chua, and "A Place in My Heart" (2003) by Kevin Quah.
Local singers such as Taufik Batisah, Kit Chan and Stefanie Sun have performed songs in the Sing Singapore collection.
These are the days To breathe and feel To touch the skies To name our dreams and make them real And never close our eyes We've fought the fears We've braved the years When all we could believe was all we had to give Now what we only dreamed is what we live Orchestration:Jeremy Monteiro Commissioned by the Cultural Affairs Division, Ministry of Community Development There was a time when people said That Singapore won't make it But we did There was a time when troubles Seemed too much for us to take But we did We built a nation Strong and free Reaching out together For peace and harmony Chorus 1: This is my country, this is my flag This is my future, this is my life This is my family, these are my friends We are Singapore, Singaporeans See the moon and the stars, Look around at our faces, With our hopes and dreams, What do you see?
我是年轻的卫国军 有的是满腔的热血 有的是精力充沛 相信我吧！新加坡！ 我要用这股力量 献身与新加坡 我要把敌人消灭 相信我吧！新加坡！ English translation: I am a young soldier who serves the nation Who is filled with hot blood So believe in me, Singapore!
Munnaeru vaalibaa munaeri endrum Thoduvaan noakkuvaai Kann theriyaatha Kaari rulil Olirum vinmeenae Thanimaiyaalae payantha naadugal Irulil oli pera unnai naadum Mael noakku vaaliba endrum munnaeri Thoduvaan noakkuvaai thoduvaan noakkuvai The lyrics in Tamil Language: முன்னேறு வாலிபா முன்னேறி என்றும் தொடுவான் நோக்குவாய் கண் தெரியாத காரி ருளில் ஒளிரும் விண்மீனே தனிமை யாலே பயந்த நாடுகள் இருளில் ஒளிபெற உன்னை நாடும் மேல் நோக்கு வாலிபா என்றும் முன்னேறி தொடுவான் நோக்குவாய் தொடுவான் நோக்குவாய் The lyrics in English are: Forward o'youth forever advancing Look to horizons far Eyes do not grope in the depths of the night That look on a shining star Nations fearful in apartness Need your sight to light their darkness Look up o'youth forever advancing Look to horizons far... Engkal Singapore - inbam Engkum pongkum Engkal Singapore
", lambasting the melody as "uninspiring" and the lyrics as "insipid" – "it is quite obvious what the brief to [the composer] was: Write a song to persuade Singaporeans who have sought greener pastures to come home.