	Home Said Zubir 1907 - 1989 (82) QUOTES
	Zubir Said (1907 – 1987) was a composer from Singapore who became known, among other things, for the composition of his country's national anthem, entitled "Majulah Singapura" - "Forward Singapore". Born on 22 July 1869 in Bukittinggi (formerly known as Fort de Kock) in West Sumatra, Indonesia; his mother died when he was seven years old. He attended a Dutch school but had no interest in academic studies. A classmate in elementary school taught him how to make and play the flute, and in high school he learned to play the guitar and drums. In 1928, at the age of 21, Zubir went to Singapore to live as a musician, as in his hometown his father had objections to his involvement in music. He got a job as a musician in an opera troupe and then, in 1936, joined the record company 'His Master's Voice'. He went to Java for a time where he married the singer Tarminah Kario and they returned to Bukittinggi in 1941, just before the outbreak of World War II. In 1947 they moved to Singapore where Zubir worked as a newspaper photographer while still composing and performing songs. In 1949 he took up the position of conductor of the orchestra at Malay Film Production and in 1952 he joined Cathay-Keris Film Productions as an arranger and lyricist. When Singapore gained government in 1959, it was felt that a national anthem was needed to unite the different races, Jubir composed "Majulah Singapura" which was officially adopted as the national anthem of the Republic of Singapore after Singapore's full independence from Britain in 1965. Another composition of his, the song "Semoga Bahagia" ("May You Achieve Happiness") addressed to primary school students, advising them to work hard for their future, has become the national school song. Jubir wrote up to 1,500 songs while only a small percentage have been recorded. He had four daughters and one son and died on 16 November 1987 in Joo Chiat Place, Singapore.

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Said Zubir 1907 - 1989 (82)

QUOTES

Zubir Said (1907 – 1987) was a composer from Singapore who became known, among other things, for the composition of his country's national anthem, entitled "Majulah Singapura" - "Forward Singapore".

Born on 22 July 1869 in Bukittinggi (formerly known as Fort de Kock) in West Sumatra, Indonesia; his mother died when he was seven years old. He attended a Dutch school but had no interest in academic studies. A classmate in elementary school taught him how to make and play the flute, and in high school he learned to play the guitar and drums.

In 1928, at the age of 21, Zubir went to Singapore to live as a musician, as in his hometown his father had objections to his involvement in music. He got a job as a musician in an opera troupe and then, in 1936, joined the record company 'His Master's Voice'. He went to Java for a time where he married the singer Tarminah Kario and they returned to Bukittinggi in 1941, just before the outbreak of World War II. In 1947 they moved to Singapore where Zubir worked as a newspaper photographer while still composing and performing songs. In 1949 he took up the position of conductor of the orchestra at Malay Film Production and in 1952 he joined Cathay-Keris Film Productions as an arranger and lyricist.

When Singapore gained government in 1959, it was felt that a national anthem was needed to unite the different races, Jubir composed "Majulah Singapura" which was officially adopted as the national anthem of the Republic of Singapore after Singapore's full independence from Britain in 1965.

Another composition of his, the song "Semoga Bahagia" ("May You Achieve Happiness") addressed to primary school students, advising them to work hard for their future, has become the national school song.

Jubir wrote up to 1,500 songs while only a small percentage have been recorded. He had four daughters and one son and died on 16 November 1987 in Joo Chiat Place, Singapore.