Chan Mali Chan

"Chan Mali Chan" is a folk song popular in Malaysia and Singapore.[1][2] The song is a light-hearted song that may have its origin in a Malay poem pantun.[3] In Indonesia there are songs that have similar tones that titled Anak Kambing Saya ("My Lamb" or "My Baby Goat") has been write by Saridjah Niung.[4][5][6] It is commonly sung as a children's song.[7][8]

"Chan Mali Chan"
Song
LanguageMalay
Genre

There are different versions of "Chan Mali Chan", a common version that starts with talking about looking for a lamb/kid interpreted as parents looking for their children, and that it's about the togetherness and bond between children and their parents.[9] Others suggest it is a flirtatious love song.[2][3] A version was sung in the 1960 Singapore black-white film, Isi Neraka.[10]

Lyrics

There are many variations in the lyrics found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.[11][8] This song may be presented in a question and answer format; the first line asks: "Where is my lamb", and the second line answers where the lamb is (different versions of the song may have different answers). Other questions may follow, such as "Where is my darling/baby", etc., followed by answers to these questions.

Version in Malaysia and Singapore

A common version found in Malaysia and Singapore:

Malay

Di mana dia anak kambing saya?
Anak kambing saya yang makan daun talas
Di mana dia buah hati saya?
Buah hati saya bagai telur dikupas
(Chorus)
Chan mali chan, chan mali chan
Chan mali chan, ketipung payung  
English

Where is he, my little lamb?
My little lamb is eating taro leaves
Where is he, my darling/baby?
My darling/baby is like an egg with its shell peeled[lower-alpha 1]
(Chorus)
Chan mali chan, chan mali chan[lower-alpha 2]
Chan mali chan, ketipung payung

(The verses may be repeated with the same or different questions and answers.)

Notes
  1. This refers to the smooth skin of the person's appearance.
  2. The meaning of "Chan mali chan" is uncertain, but "mali" has been interpreted as a "mari" ("to come"), so it may be read as an invitation to someone named "Chan" to come

See also

References
  1. Cook, Larry D. (1993). "Reviewed Work: Three Malay Folksongs. 1) Chan Mali Chan, 2) Suriram, 3) Lenggang Kangkong by Bernard Tan". The Choral Journal. 38 (4): 77–78. JSTOR 23551654.
  2. "Chan Mali Chan" (PDF). Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
  3. "'Operation Singalong' was govt's attempt to get S'poreans to sing folk songs in the 1980s". mothership.sg. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
  4. "Lirik Lagu Anak Kambing Saya, Lengkap Beserta Asal dan Penciptanya", portalprobolinggo
  5. "Lirik Lagu Anak Kambing Saya Asal Nusa Tenggara Timur Beserta Maknanya", popmama
  6. "Lirik Lagu Anak Kambing Saya - Lagu Daerah Nusa Tenggara Timur", bola
  7. "Lirik Lagu Anak Kambing Saya, Lengkap Beserta Asal dan Penciptanya", portalprobolinggo
  8. "Anak Kambing Saya, Lagu Anak-anak Populer", kompas
  9. "Lagu Anak Kambing Saya, Lagu Daerah Nusa Tenggara Timur", kumparan
  10. "OST Isi Neraka 1960 - Chan Mali Chan".
  11. "Lagu Kanak-kanak". Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia. Archived from the original on 21 August 2007.
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