Street singers make up song along the road
JAKARTA (JP): There are scores of undocumented songs sang by street minstrels. Some of the tunes may be familiar, verses of daily urban scenes may hark to the likes of popular singers Franky Sihalatua and Iwan Fals.
But ask for the lyrics or who the composer was, and the musicians voice ignorance. Many of the songs were handed down from older singers and improvised along the way, "however the words suit the lips and the heart," said one musician, or pengamen.
On a particular March morning, long-haired Yusuf, equipped with a small guitar, was on an air-conditioned bus heading for downtown Kota when he chose the following tune.
Loosely translated here, he said it was a jumble of verses "picked out of a hat" and improvised. He was grateful to get some Rp 4,000: "Maybe the passengers liked my song."
He sang and strummed a country melody, an influence he attributes to Iwan, who is many a youngster's idol.
The song began:
Namanya usaha pak,
biar panas biar hujan
bukan tantangan.
Namanya usaha bu,
perlu sandang
perlu pangan
biar nggak kebingungan.
We roam the streets
the scorching sun
or heavy downpour
don't challenge us
Got to make ends meet
to get clothes
and food to eat
to end the confusion
Each has his profession
to each his own livelihood
don't be jealous
or annoyed
We'd like a good job
like easygoing lawmakers
whose must "be present,
sit, shut up and get paid."
I'd like to be a millionaire
I'd like to be a philanthropist
I'd like to be an artist
I'd like to be like Iwan, *)
but I'm penniless
since I have no backers
among the rulers
My father's just
a street vendor
in front of a Chinese store
When security officers come
they throw him out
on behalf of the law
They say we're
an independent nation
but I see no heroes
in our midst
They're only crooks
who'll struggle
if there's money to be made
In Jakarta you shouldn't
have too much pride
If you're unemployed
with too much pride
you'll only eat
spoiled rice
Pretty girls putting on airs
Don't sacrifice your dignity
Singing beggars
are chased away
What are their sins
anyway?
Pedicabs were rounded up
what will you use for wheels?
The streets were cleaned
of hawkers
Are they supposed to be robbers?
Oh, leaders
Show us the truth
Give us opportunity
Stop harassing us
We are street people
but we have an obligation
to defend our nation,
respect Pancasila, **)
protect our fellow countrymen
We're also sons of Indonesia
*) Iwan Fals
**) Indonesian state ideology
(anr/tis)