Latest news with #SolidarityForever
National Post
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Senior Living: Summer tunes
Article content Summertime and the living is easy … especially if you're grooving to seasonal music. Article content It's light. Article content It's fun. Article content It's warm and fuzzy. Article content Summer music hopefully has you singing and dancing in the sunshine … even if you were a dorky teenager like me who sang badly and danced worse. Article content It was different times. There wasn't a pocket-sized telephone for every teen everywhere. Article content But no problem way back when. The sun was shining. And the songs on Top 40 radio were warm and happy. Article content Article content It was — and still is — the summer musical mood. Article content I'll dial back to some personal history: My single mother worked as a bookkeeper in what was then a thriving Montreal clothing industry. And since school was out for July and August, I got sent to summer camp. Article content Camp was, however, more musical than athletic. It's not like we learned to play instruments. But we did a lot of singing. Article content Beaver Camp had a way leftward leaning. One of my early camp songs was Solidarity Forever. We actually heard it performed live at camp by the great Pete Seeger: Article content 'When the union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run Article content 'There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun Article content 'Yet what force on Earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one Article content 'But the union makes us strong.' Article content I doubt this is U.S. President Donald Trump's favourite Article content song. And it's not a summer hit these days. But Seeger was popular at the summer camp I attended. We didn't have any fancy facilities; the counsellors played guitars, the campers sang along. Article content Article content And we learned union songs. I loved them … even if those lyrics were a mystery to a little kid like me and my fellow campers. Article content Fast-forward to high school. And new tunes. Article content Although a hopeless dancer, I loved popular music, from Pat Boone (no relation) to Elvis. And my absolute favourites were the soul hits from Detroit and the southern Stax studio. Great harmonies. Super voices. Dancing tunes. Article content I played the hits on my transistor radio — a gorgeous Sony I acquired on a trip to New York City and stored carefully in its original box. My favourites: Smokey Robinson, the Supremes, Otis Redding. Article content I still love that music.
Rakyat Post
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rakyat Post
Malaysia Worker's Anthem 'Solidariti Perjuangan' Inspires Labour Day Spirit, But Why Does It Sound So Familiar?
Subscribe to our FREE A new anthem dedicated to all the workers in Malaysia became the focus of the national Labour Day 2025 celebrations at the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) on 1 May. Penned by human resources minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and performed by the KESUMA choir, Solidariti Perjuangan 's uplifting tempo and inspirational lyrics moved even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar called for the song to be played not only at the minsitry, but also across all government ministries, 'This is more than just a song, it speaks to the soul. It stirs the spirit of workers and reminds us of the sincerity and dignity of labour. I want the song to resonate in every ministry,' he said in his speech. Meanwhile, communications minister Datuk Fahmid Fadzil announced that all local television and radio stations have been instructed to play Solidariti Perjuangan as a tribute to Malaysian workers. A new song that sounds all too familiar If you've just listened to the song, or have already heard it, you might think you have heard this song before. That's because you most likely already have, if you're a fan of football. Solidariti Perjuangan's melody sounds like the world's most recognisable football team's song 'Glory Glory Man United'. Note for note, the worker's anthem sounds exactly like the Manchester United football club song and chant. Interestingly, the football team borrowed the tune from another historic musical piece called ' This is a famous American patriotic song written by abolitionist Julia Ward Howe during the American Civil War. This hymn is filled with Christian imagery and references to divine justice as it equates the Civil War struggle with a holy mission, calling for sacrifice and persistence against slavery in America. In the early 20th century, the melody was used for 'Solidarity Forever', a popular American trade union anthem written by labour activist Ralph Chaplin in 1915. According to the fact sheet of KESUMA's Solidariti Perjuangan on the song, they acknowledged it was an adaptation of Chaplin's 'After 113 years, now the song 'Solidarity Forever' has a Bahasa Melayu version titled 'Solidariti Perjuangan' to express the commitment of Malaysia's workers' unions to fight for the wellbeing of all employees in this country,' Bernama reported. Not original, but not far from the core message Solidariti Perjuangan may have borrowed its tune from a song dating back to the American Civil War, but if you think about it, the anthem carries the same message of dignity, appreciation, and respect towards common workers. The song acknowledges the hard work of people who have, poured their blood, sweat and tears to the betterment of the nation in every possible way. What do you think of the new Labour Day song by Steven Sim? Share your thoughts in the comments! Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
New Straits Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Anwar praises new workers' anthem 'Solidariti Perjuangan'
KUALA LUMPUR: A new workers' anthem, 'Solidariti Perjuangan', took centre stage at the Workers Day 2025 celebration today, drawing praise from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Penned by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and inspired by the classic 1913 union song Solidarity Forever, the Malay-language version struck an emotional chord with the Prime Minister and the 10,000-strong crowd gathered at the event. In his speech, Anwar called for the song to be played not only at the Human Resources Ministry but across all government ministries to uplift and inspire the nation's workforce. "This is more than just a song, it speaks to the soul. It stirs the spirit of workers and reminds us of the sincerity and dignity of labour. I want this song to resonate in every ministry," he said. The song, performed by the ministry's choir, received thunderous applause and cheers from workers representing both the public and private sectors. Meanwhile, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that all local television and radio stations have been instructed to play Solidariti Perjuangan as a tribute to Malaysian workers. "I've issued a directive for all TV and radio stations to play Solidariti Perjuangan, the song we heard just now. "This isn't a song glorifying any football club - it's a song that honours the struggle of workers," he said. According to a fact sheet shared with the media, the song 'Solidariti Perjuangan' encapsulates the spirit of unity, sacrifice, and strength of workers throughout the nation. The original English version, 'Solidarity Forever' was composed amid the struggles of workers fighting for their rights. Written in 1913 by Ralph Chaplin, the song was inspired by the unwavering resolve of coal miners and their families during the Paint Creek–Cabin Creek strike in West Virginia, United States. Moved by the song's powerful message, Sim felt compelled to translate its spirit into the Malay language. "More than 113 years later, Solidarity Forever now has a Malay version titled Solidariti Perjuangan, expressing the determination of Malaysia's trade union movement in defending the rights of workers in this country," the statement said. The Malay lyrics highlight workers' struggles in a locally relatable way, underscoring unity and the strength of organised labour.
Malay Mail
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
New anthem ‘Solidariti Perjuangan', inspired by union song, draws emotional response from PM at Labour Day event (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — A new workers' anthem, Solidariti Perjuangan, took centre stage at the National Labour Day 2025 celebration today, drawing praise from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Penned by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and inspired by the classic 1913 union song Solidarity Forever, the Malay-language version struck an emotional chord with the Prime Minister and the 10,000-strong crowd gathered at the event. In his speech, Anwar called for the song to be played not only at the Human Resources Ministry (Kesuma) but across all government ministries to uplift and inspire the nation's workforce. 'This is more than just a song, it speaks to the soul. It stirs the spirit of workers and reminds us of the sincerity and dignity of labour. I want this song to resonate in every ministry,' he said. The song, performed by the Kesuma choir, received thunderous applause and cheers from workers representing both the public and private sectors. Meanwhile, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that all local television and radio stations have been instructed to play Solidariti Perjuangan as a tribute to Malaysian workers. 'I've issued a directive for all TV and radio stations to play Solidariti Perjuangan, the song we heard just now. 'This isn't a song glorifying any football club — it's a song that honours the struggle of workers,' he said. According to a fact sheet shared with the media, the song Solidariti Perjuangan encapsulates the spirit of unity, sacrifice, and strength of workers throughout the nation. The original English version, Solidarity Forever was composed amid the struggles of workers fighting for their rights. Written in 1913 by Ralph Chaplin, the song was inspired by the unwavering resolve of coal miners and their families during the Paint Creek–Cabin Creek strike in West Virginia, United States. Moved by the song's powerful message, Sim felt compelled to translate its spirit into the Malay language. 'More than 113 years later, Solidarity Forever now has a Malay version titled Solidariti Perjuangan, expressing the determination of Malaysia's trade union movement in defending the rights of workers in this country,' the statement said. The Malay lyrics highlight workers' struggles in a locally relatable way, underscoring unity and the strength of organised labour. — Bernama
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
PM Anwar praises new workers' anthem ‘Solidariti Perjuangan'
KUALA LUMPUR: A new workers' anthem, 'Solidariti Perjuangan', took centre stage at the National Labour Day 2025 celebration today, drawing praise from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Penned by Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and inspired by the classic 1913 union song Solidarity Forever, the Malay-language version struck an emotional chord with the Prime Minister and the 10,000-strong crowd gathered at the event. In his speech, Anwar called for the song to be played not only at the Human Resources Ministry (KESUMA) but across all government ministries to uplift and inspire the nation's workforce. 'This is more than just a song, it speaks to the soul. It stirs the spirit of workers and reminds us of the sincerity and dignity of labour. I want this song to resonate in every ministry,' he said. The song, performed by the KESUMA choir, received thunderous applause and cheers from workers representing both the public and private sectors. Meanwhile, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced that all local television and radio stations have been instructed to play Solidariti Perjuangan as a tribute to Malaysian workers. 'I've issued a directive for all TV and radio stations to play Solidariti Perjuangan, the song we heard just now. 'This isn't a song glorifying any football club - it's a song that honours the struggle of workers,' he said. According to a fact sheet shared with the media, the song 'Solidariti Perjuangan' encapsulates the spirit of unity, sacrifice, and strength of workers throughout the nation. The original English version, 'Solidarity Forever' was composed amid the struggles of workers fighting for their rights. Written in 1913 by Ralph Chaplin, the song was inspired by the unwavering resolve of coal miners and their families during the Paint Creek–Cabin Creek strike in West Virginia, United States. Moved by the song's powerful message, Sim felt compelled to translate its spirit into the Malay language. 'More than 113 years later, Solidarity Forever now has a Malay version titled Solidariti Perjuangan, expressing the determination of Malaysia's trade union movement in defending the rights of workers in this country,' the statement said. The Malay lyrics highlight workers' struggles in a locally relatable way, underscoring unity and the strength of organised labour.
