The song was first performed in 1958 and was officially adopted as the national anthem in 1965, when Singapore became an independent nation. It is sung in English, which is one of the four official languages of Singapore.
The lyrics, which were written by Zubir Said, are as follows:
Stand united, we pledge our faith
To build our nation bright
With courage firm, and faith unwavering
We'll face the winds of change
Together we'll strive, towards our destiny
We'll reach the heights, and touch the sky
For justice, truth and equality
We'll sing aloud, 'Majulah Singapura!'
Onward Singapore!
We are one people, one nation
Together hand in hand
With one shared vision, one desire
We'll build a better world
For our children, for our future
Majulah Singapura!
The melody of "Majulah Singapura" was composed by Zubir Said and is inspired by traditional Malay music. The song is typically sung in a spirited manner, reflecting the strong national pride and unity of the people of Singapore.