Hari Kemerdekaan Indonesia

Celebrated the Indonesian Independence Day today with a few Indonesian friends. What's not to enjoy? Great Indonesian food and friends. I had forgotten so much of Indonesia's history, but it was good to have a refresher course again as we played games after dinner. We even sang the Indonesian national anthem.

When I was sworn in to be a U.S. citizen in 1997, Judge Sam told us of his Polish immigrant background and reminded us that what makes U.S.A. so great is our diversity. He urged us to remember our culture or traditions as it is what contributes to the richness of America.

To find out more about Indonesia, click on the blog title for a wikipedia entry of the country.

“Indonesia Raya”
Official Lyrics based on PP No. 4 tahun 1958
Used as the official national anthem

Indonesia, tanah airku, tanah tumpah darahku.
Di sanalah aku berdiri, jadi pandu ibuku.
Indonesia, kebangsaanku, bangsa dan tanah airku.
Marilah kita berseru, "Indonesia bersatu!"
Hiduplah tanahku, hiduplah neg'riku,
Bangsaku, rakyatku, semuanya.
Bangunlah jiwanya, bangunlah badannya
Untuk Indonesia Raya!

CHORUS:
Indonesia Raya, merdeka, merdeka
Tanahku, neg'riku yang kucinta.
Indonesia Raya, merdeka, merdeka
Hiduplah Indonesia Raya!

English translation of lyrics:

Indonesia my native land, the land where I shed my blood.
There I stand, being a soldier of my mother.
(Note: "mother" here refers to Ibu Pertiwi which means 'motherland')
Indonesia my nationality, my nation and my country.
Let us exclaim "United Indonesia!"
Live my land, live my state,
My nation, my people, all.
Build its spirit, build its bodies
For Great Indonesia!

CHORUS:
Great Indonesia, independent and free,
My land, my country, which I love.
(probably equivalent to English's Long live my land)
Great Indonesia, independent and free,
Live Great Indonesia!