The district was originally named by the Kayan people as long which means river stream.

At the same time, the Iban people migrated from the present day Kalimantan, Indonesia and settled near the banks of the Katibas River (located in the Song District) to find land for farming.

The fort also functioned as Song's first administrative centre and was intended to inhibit Iban uprisings at the Katibas River.

The Malays would sell the jungle produce in Sibau town (present-day Sibu) for a profit.

Ships would anchor in Sibu to carry the jungle produce back to their respective destinations for sale.

Meanwhile, the Iban people worked as farmers, rubber tappers and jungle produce collectors.

The Ibans then sold their products at the Song bazaar in exchange for daily necessities.

After the war, the British colonial government gave Sarawak dollars to residents of Song to rebuild their homes.

[2] During the British colonial era, the Sarawak Natives Affairs Department was established in 1955.

During the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, Song sub-district office was the operational centre to repel Indonesian military crossings of the Sarawak-Kalimantan border.

After the formation of Malaysia in 1963, William Linang became the first Sarawak Administrative Officer in Song.

[3] There are hourly express boat services connecting Song, Sibu, Kanowit, Kapit and Belaga.

The express boats services are provided frequently at Song Wharf Terminal.