"Dayung Sampan" originated from the 1940s in Indonesia by the pasindhèn Dasimah.[5] the song became popular and strongly associated with the Chinese-Betawi people in Banten.[6][7] Traditionally, it's played using gambang kromong, a traditional Betawi orchestra with Chinese music influences.
The lyrics of "Dayung Sampan" tells about the life of fishermen and their journey into the sea to catch fish.[8][9]
Popularity outside Indonesia
Dayung Sampan was first brought to Singapore by migrants from Indonesia.[10] In 1956, a Mandarin cover titled "Poor Great Uncle" (可怜阿伯大) was sung by Wu Meiling and Chen Chuan.[11]
In 1978, Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng made an Indonesian cover of the song,[12] the version of "Dayung Sampan" performed by Teng was created by Singaporean composer Osman Ahmad[ms],[13] believed to originate from the 1950s.[14] On 20 September, 1979, Teng released the album An Unforgettable Day (難忘的一天), which featured a Mandarin cover of Dayung Sampan titled "Tian mi mi" (甜蜜蜜),[15] with lyrics penned by Zhuang Nu.[16]
Renditions
The oldest known recording of Dayung Sampan is sung by Rita Zahara[id] in the 1956 album Presents Songs From Old Djakarta In Krontjong Beat, arranged and directed by Rudi Pirngadi,[17][18] while the version with the most popular and well-known lyrics was first sung by Aida Mustafa[id] in her 1969 album Dayung Sampan,[19][20] which was later included in her folk album Sarinande.[21]
Other renditions
Titiek Sandhora released a cover in 1970, with lyrics similar to the one used by Teng.[22]
Benyamin Sueb adapted the song's melody for the song "Minta Kawin" for his 1977 album "Telpon Umum", instead about asking to marry a Chinese-Indonesian.[23]
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