新谣: 我们的心声 (Xinyao: Our Voice)

新谣：我们的心声 XINYAO: OUR VOICE Name: Charlotte Low 新谣Subject: Class: School of Art Design & Media

PY.TSo.uhe'Dllyi'dbreeysodeuiefinfnoegtritechneetmt\"hMequEgit\"rsoeuaptthordfoiufggfihroelsurtehnettrheeli?fbeooskt.ages. 新谣：我们的心声（Xinyao: Our Voice）© 2020 Charlotte Low All illustrations and anecdotes © 2020 Charlotte Low

WELCOME TO MY JOURNAL Hey there! My name is Charlotte and here's a little bit about myself to get to know me better. I have a penchant for almost anything along the lines of the arts or local. Especially Do-It-Yourself handicraft projects. I can be working on it for hours, finding it to be extremely therapeutic in times of stress or simply just out of sheer boredom and passion.



Inspired by my past encounters with Xinyao, 新谣: 我们的心声 (Xinyao: Our Voice) is a semi-bilingual memory-cum-lyric book project that highlights the main aspects of Xinyao: The songs reflecting the everyday life, candid feelings and experiences about friendship, love, family and more of college youths who wrote them primarily in the 1980s. This book, which takes on a journal-like, editorial look, features a selection of ten classic Xinyao which I resonate with and my personal anecdotes in relation to each song. In addition the book features a series of illustrations, each inspired from the lyrics to bring the stories told in the songs to life. By experiencing Xinyao vicariously from my personal sharing, I hope that you'll find a connection with the music through the nostalgia, know about Xinyao a little more and gain interest in it. Have fun browsing through my world of thoughts and Xinyao!

HOW TO BROWSE THE JOURNAL Scan the QR codes that you see at the beginning of each song! It lets you take a listen to how each song sounds like and view its accompanying video. They'll look something like this (as seen below). This is just an example but you can test it out! It links you to the playlist compilation of all the 10 songs featured in the book. 我的十大新谣 MY TOP 10 XINYAO

Just like how we would enjoy and have different intepretations of our favourite songs, all the bilingual song translations and illustrations you see in this memory-cum-lyric book project are purely of my own intepretation for the purpose of this non-commercial educational project. They are not representative of the original songwriter(s) and their thoughts, and in no way done with the intention to misrepresent. Copyright of the lyrics belong fully to the respective songwriter(s) and their compositions.

THE STORIES 9 13 00 新谣 23 31 WHAT IS XINYAO? 41 01 细水长流 FRIENDSHIP FOREVER (1987) 02 我们这一班 OUR CLASS (1987) 03 天冷就回来 COME BACK WHEN IT'S COLD (2002) 04 一步一步来 STEP BY STEP (1990)

05 小人物的心声 53 59 VOICES OF AN ORDINARY FOLK (1986) 65 73 06 星空下 79 93 UNDER THE STARRY SKY (1985) 07 遗忘过去 FORGET ABOUT THE PAST (1985) 08 心宇寂星 LONELY HEART IN THE UNIVERSE (1986) 09 新加坡派 SINGAPORE PIE (1990) 10 麻雀衔竹枝 THE SPARROW CARRYING A BAMBOO STICK (1990)



新谣 WHAT IS XINYAO 9

新谣 XINYAO IS ... A genre of Mandarin songs that dates back to 1980s Singapore, when it was popular. It had its beginnings in the 1970s where its music was influenced by Taiwan’s Campus Folk Song Movement (校园民歌) Composed and sung by college youths, these songs had a distinctive style of clean acoustics and traditional story-singing style; Shuōchàng (说唱) 10

Xinyao was coined at the 1982 seminar, 我们唱着的歌 (Wo Men Chang Zhe De Ge) where the topic of Singaporean composed music was discussed. It stands for a longer phrase: 新加坡年轻人自创的歌谣 which meant songs composed by young Singaporeans 亲情 爱情 FAMILIAL LOVE 友情 L生IFFEEE命LAI及NNDG世STHT界EOWW感AORRD怀LSD FRIENDSHIP Xinyao was the voice of the youths as they 文化、社会与家国之情 sang of their everyday life and experiences CULTURAL, SOCIETAL & NATIONAL while growing up in Singapore. These songs would usually fall under five themes as seen in the above illustrations 11



我的第一首新谣 MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH XINYAO 13

细水长流 FRIENDSHIP FOREVER (1987) 作词 (Lyrics) : 梁文福 (Liang Wern Fook) 作曲 (Song) : 梁文福 (Liang Wern Fook)

I first heard about Xinyao from my parents but it was through the 2013 local film《我的朋友，我的同学，我最爱的一切》 (That Girl in Pinafore) when l first listened to Xinyao. The film featured several Xinyao classics remade by the new generation of singers and it was this one Xinyao featured in the film that stood out to me. Even though it was my first time listening to it, it felt familiar. It might have been the tune, it felt like I've heard it somewhere before on radio or on television. I went to look up the song and loved how it captured the beauty of friendships with its simple lyrics - Having a friend that you can confide in and share precious moments with, I believe this is something that everyone would be able to relate to. And I later found out that it was an all time classic Xinyao that's loved by many even till today. Maybe that was why it sounded familiar.... 15

年少时候　谁没有梦 Who, in his youth, does not have dreams? 无意之中　你将心愿透露 By chance, you disclosed your wish to me 就在你的生日的时候 我将小小口琴送 So on your birthday I gave you a little harmonica 最难忘记 你的笑容 And the smile on your face then was unforgettable 16



友情的细水慢慢流 流进了你我的心中 Like an unending stream, our friendship continued to flow until eventually it reached our hearts 曾在球场边为你欢呼 你跌伤我背负 Once I was cheering for you in a stadium, you fell down and I rushed to carry you on my back 夜里流星飞渡 想象着他日的路途 Across the night sky the stars took flight, while we imagined the road lying ahead of us 晚风听着我们壮志无数 With the night breeze listening to our countless aspirations 18

年少时候 谁没有愁 Who, in his youth, does not have worries? 满腔愤慨 唯有你能听得懂 When I was indignant, only you could understand 每当我失意的时候 你将那首歌吹奏 Whenever I was down you would play that tune with the harmonica 琴声悠悠 解我轻忧 To charm away my troubles with its sweet and caressing sound 岁月的细水慢慢流 流到了别离的时候 As time slowly went by, the point had come for us to say goodbye 轻拍你的肩 听我说朋友不要太惆怅 I patted you on your shoulder, giving a friendly advice for you not to be too sad 霓虹纵然再嚣张 我们的步履有方向 No matter how rampant the neon lights may be, we have our own directions to follow 成败不论切莫将昔日遗 Success for failure, let's not forget our good old days 19

多年以后 又再重逢　 After many years we met again 我们都有了疲倦的笑容 We were wearing a weary smile 问一声我的朋友 何时再为我吹奏　 I asked you when you would play me that tune again 是否依旧 是否依旧　 Would it still sound as sweet and caressing as before? Would it still sound as sweet and caressing as before? 20

DID YOU KNOW TXtS10hiihnneigygsraaCesopooaonmsrtgoepenostgs(toesCprXOpisneiMndaaynPadtA2oh0eSAs0So3ulni)tsgpathsooslorpl sorfconoSdeTnoudhcoceufieecdtTttyehoedpof1b0y 人生的际遇千百种 There may be thousands of ups and downs in life 但有知心长相重 But we have close friends to meet from time to time 人愿长久 水愿长流 We wish our friendship will last forever just like the stream which keeps on flowing forever 年少时候 When we were young... 21



那些美好时光 THOSE GOOD TIMES 23

我们这一班 OUR CLASS (1987) 作词 (Lyrics)：许环良 (Billy Koh) 作曲 (Song) ：吴庆康 (Ng King Kang) 黄元成 (Huang Yuan Cheng)

This song was reminiscent of the good old schooling days, specifically when classes were conducted in a formal classroom setting just like the song. I have been through almost exactly the same things as the experiences told in the song: The class being really noisy, unattentive, idolising our favourite celebrities and all... Not just myself, I believe many of us can relate to at least one experience here and find nostalgia through it. But most of all, it was those carefree days of school life where all we needed to care was just probably just our grades while having fun for the most bit that I miss the most. 25

The Nerd The Class Clown TsIIhhoe' dwe saTlsiebkaaaecc hktgeootro'hdtsehyniPn.te.k.wt o The student that always asks way too much in class 26

曾经你我有说不完的话题 27 We used to have endless topics for discussion 曾经我们每天在一起 We used to be together everyday 上课不在意连测验都忘记　　 We didn’t pay attention in class and even forgot about our tests 只有玩乐最要紧 Was just to play and have fun 老师曾经说过我们吱吱喳喳　 Our teacher had said we were too noisy 上课不准我说话 And forbade us to talk in class 直到有一天大家都毕业时　 It was not until the day when we graduated 才明白老师的道理 That we finally understood our teacher’s reason This was how I thought our teacher looked like

我们这一班　 Recess time was the period I looked forward to most Our class 上课不专望着篮球场 Instead of paying attention in class, we would look at the basketball court all the time 我们这一班　 Our class 测验偷看分数都一样 Cheated during tests and scored equal marks 我们这一班　 Our class 崇拜偶像老师的话我们丢一旁 Worshiped Idols and ignored our teacher’s advice 但我们从来都不怕 But we were never scared 因为小时了了，大未必佳 Because we were still young, and may not necessarily be the same when we grow older 28

AOsmfninndiaedgyveoor1L9fu8raa0iHuntsdo.en刘Mgfc德ieyKlmloe华mnbgaor'imsctt'ysmoorassltl-stisniumcceecetshseful 如今你和我都已经长大 Now that both you and I have grown up 如今志愿不再嘴边挂 We no longer constantly talk about aspirations 想起学校里的同学和老师 But often think of our schoolmates and teachers 那无忧无虑的日子 As well as those carefree days 我们这一班…… Our class 我们这一班…… Our class 29



母亲的爱 A MOTHER'S LOVE 31

天冷就回来 COME BACK WHEN IT’S COLD (2002) 作词 (Lyrics)：梁文福 (Liang Wern Fook) 作曲 (Song) ：梁文福 (Liang Wern Fook)

A feeling that I have felt from my own mother as well. The care and love from her, through her words of concern or actions be it when I'm home or out late. It might seem like incessant nagging for the most bit but growing older, seems like you'll start to find yourself in the same position, unknowingly showing the same concern towards your own loved ones through those actions. You'll then come to understand her actions once to simply be a mother’s unconditional love and sacrifice for her child. Each time this song comes on there's a sense of wistfulness I get and it makes me think about the things that she did for my siblings and I. It makes me even more appreciative of her, though I am not one who is expressive enough to show it. 33

DID YOU KNOW Local theatre company, The Theatre Practice 实践剧场 came up with a musical production with the same title as the song in Mandarin 《天冷 就回来》. It had its first run in 2007 and it featured many Xinyao hits from Liang Wern Fook 梁文福 . With its success, the musical went on to have two more runs later in 2009 and 2014. 34

从前对著收音机 学唱旧的歌 In the past I used to sit by the radio and learn old songs 我问妈妈为什么 伤心像快乐　 I asked my mother why did sorrow seem like joy 妈妈笑著 说她也不懂得　 She smiled and said she didn’t know either 我想出去走一走 妈妈点点头　 When I wanted to head out for a walk, my mother simply gave me a nod 天冷你就回来 别在风中徘徊 Come back when it’s cold outside, don’t linger in the wind 喔 妈妈眼里有明白 还有一丝无奈 O, there was a look of understanding in my mother’s eyes coupled with a trace of helplessnes 35

天冷我想回家 童年已经不在 It was cold outside and I wanted to come home, but my childhood is already gone 昨天的雨点洒下来 那滋味叫做爱 When the raindrops fell yesterday, that kind of feeling is known as love 唔 别在风中徘徊 唔 天冷就回来 O, don’t ever linger in the wind O, come back when it’s cold outside 渐渐对著收音机 学唱新的歌 As the years went by, I still sat by the radio and learned new songs 我问朋友为什么 作梦也快乐 I asked my friend why did dreaming make one feel happy 朋友笑说 她从不相信梦　 She laughed and said she never believed in dreams 我想出去走一走 哦 朋友点点头　 I wanted to head out for a walk, my friend simply gave me a nod 36

天冷你就回来 别在风中徘徊 Come back when it’s cold outside, don’t linger in the wind 朋友的眼里有明白 还有一份期待 There was a look of understanding in my friend’s eyes, coupled with a look of expectation 天冷我想回家 年少已经不在 It was cold outside and I wanted to come home, but my childhood is already gone 今天的雨点洒下来 那滋味就是爱 As the raindrops fall today, that kind of feeling is truly love 37

现在对著收音机 听自己唱的歌 Now I sit by the radio and listen to my own songs 我的他问为什么 幸福不快乐 My other half asks me why happiness fails to bring joy 我微笑著 说我也不懂得　 I smile and say I don’t understand either 他想出去走一走 我对他点点头 When he wants to head out for a walk, I simply gave him a nod 38

天冷你就回来 别在风中徘徊 Come back when it’s cold outside, don’t linger in the wind 我猜我眼里有明白 还有一丝无奈 I guess there was a look of understanding in my eyes, coupled with a trace of helplessness 天冷他没回家 我仍然在等待 When it’s cold outside and he fails to return, I’ll keep waiting 明天的雨点洒下来 那滋味就是爱 When the raindrops fall tomorrow, that kind of feeling is truly love 唔 别在风中徘徊 唔 天冷就回来 O, don’t ever linger in the wind. O, come back when it’s cold outside 39



不用心急 TAKE THINGS SLOW 41

一步一步来 STEP BY STEP (1990) 作词 (Lyrics)：梁文福 (Liang Wern Fook) 作曲 (Song) ：梁文福 (Liang Wern Fook)

When I was younger I too wanted to grow up quickly. For the most part it was the idea of dreading school life and wanting it to be over already. However those around me who were older (my cousins especially) would be the ones constantly giving advice saying: “When that day really comes, you'll definitely miss those days, so cherish these moments while you can. You don't know what you're in for until you get out there into the real world.” Well as I inch closer to graduation and full adulthood, as much as I can't wait to complete this last project of my schooling life ever, deep down inside I'm actually starting to fear the working world and what is to come at me. It's scary whenever I think about that future and realise how unpredictable everything is. There's a teeny wish inside me wanting time to come to a standstill. Guess it might really be better to take things slow, one step at a time, why rush! 43

童年时候多自在　样样都可爱 How carefree it was in my childhood days when everything was so lovely 哥哥天天上学去　我等着他回来 When I started school My elder brother went to school every day and I would wait for him to come home 我问爸爸何时我也让那校车载　 I asked my father when I would be able to take the school bus 爸爸笑着对我说　一步一步来 He laughed and said: “Step by step” 44 Me as a toddler

MY DIFFERENT LIFE STAGES My teenage/ young adult years afWrorrei vltlehdefoanhs'ottl w e al l w i s h id ay s t o er t oo .. . 上了学校才知道　考试不可爱 It was only after going to school that I realised examinations were not lovely 上课天天看手表　哎哟假期几时来 While In class I kept looking at my watch, often wondering when it would be school holidays 我问老师何时才能将那方帽戴 I asked my teacher when I would be able to wear the mortarboard 老师笑着对我说　一步一步来 My teacher laughed and said: “Step by step” 45

太阳下山明早依旧爬上来 The sun after setting will rise again the next day 夜里不要通宵看那录像带 Don’t watch videos throughout the night 花儿谢了明年还是一样地开　 The flowers, after withering, will bloom again next year 考不好未必有机会重头来 But failing to score well in examinations may not bring you another chance 46

十七八岁多古怪　学人谈恋爱 The ages of seventeen and eighteen are very strange, that's the time when I learned to fall in love 情书写了十多封　在车站苦等待 More than ten love letters I had written and often waited at the bus stop patiently 吃饭跳舞真不坏　送她回家说 Good Night Dining and dancing were really not bad After sending her home I would bid her goodnight 她的妈妈开门说　你给我一步一步来 Answering the door, her mother advised me to go “Step by step” 47

毕了业我才知道　社会更可爱 It was after graduating that I realized society is \"lovelier\" 应征前后几十次　只有一次没失败 I applied for tens of posts, all without success but one 薪水不敢说出来　夜里要把工开 I dare not disclose my salary. I even had to work at night 现在行情坏我的老板说　你要一步一步来 As the economy was bad, my boss said I had to go step by step 太阳下山明早依旧爬上来 The sun after setting will rise again the next day 星期天能不能慢点爬上来 Can it rise later on Sundays? 花儿谢了明年还是一样地开　 The flowers, after withering, will bloom again next year 哪家公司今年又将人员裁 Question is... Which company will lay off their staff again this year? 48