A Nation's Lyrics for Soepratman

CARRYING his violin case, Wage Rudolf Soepratman approached Soegondo Djojopoespito during the second Youth Congress held at Indonesische Clubgebouw, Jalan Kramat 106. It was October 28, 1928. The 25-year-old youth gave a greeting and submitted a sheet of paper with notations and lyrics of a song entitled Indonesia. He requested Soegondo, who chaired the meeting, to allow him to present the song.

Reading the lyrics, Soegondo frowned. Many of the song's phrases could arouse the spirit of unity. He was worried that when the lyrics were sung, the Dutch East Indies police might promptly dissolve the congress. Soegondo then consulted a delegate from the Kantoor Voor Inlandsche Zaken (native affairs office), Van der Vlaas. Vlaas turned out to have no objection to the music, as long as it was played without lyrics.

August 19, 2014

CARRYING his violin case, Wage Rudolf Soepratman approached Soegondo Djojopoespito during the second Youth Congress held at Indonesische Clubgebouw, Jalan Kramat 106. It was October 28, 1928. The 25-year-old youth gave a greeting and submitted a sheet of paper with notations and lyrics of a song entitled Indonesia. He requested Soegondo, who chaired the meeting, to allow him to present the song.

Reading the lyrics, Soegondo frowned. Many of the

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