Dayung Sampan
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"Dayung Sampan" is an Indonesian folk song originating from Banten,[1][2] commonly associated with Betawi and Peranakan Benteng culture. It's popular in Indonesia and Singapore.[3][4]
"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,[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]