Dayung Sampan [Paddle Boat] (SA)

A sampan is a small wooden boat traditionally used throughout Singapore and the surrounding region, typically propelled by paddles. In this version, the lyrics reflect the journey of early Chinese immigrants from mainland China to Singapore. While larger ships carried them across the open seas, sampans were likely used to ferry them from those anchored vessels in the Singapore Strait to the island’s shore. 

Although the lyrics are in Malay, the arrangement draws upon a pentatonic melodic framework inspired by traditional Chinese musical idioms to reflect the immigrants’ cultural roots.

This arrangement was created for The Joyful Voices for the Singapore International Choral Festival 2017.

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