Ikan Kekek [The Pony Fish] (SSA)

Ikan Kekek (The Pony Fish) is a Malay folk song that is more than just the fish in the title. The song uses Malay pantuns (quatrains) in its lyrics. Pantun is a form of poetry which always come in two parts. At first glance, the first part has no immediate logical or the narrative connection with the second or closing statement. However, they are always connected by the rhymes and other verbal associations, such as puns and similar sounding words.

This song contains advice such “slow and steady wins the race”. The text also advises us not to interfere in other people’s affairs. Instead, we should try to improve ourselves first. We should not follow others blindly as it will cause us problems as well.

Bars 39 to 42 is a cheeky nod to “The Aquarium” by Camille Saint-Saëns.

PREVIEW SCORE