There is a new Indonesian song that I like, called “Dawai” (which means "strings" in Indonesian), originally performed by Fadhilah Intan, and composed by Hendro Djasmoro and Albert Juwono, which has been making its rounds in social media -- not only in Indonesia but also in neighbouring countries, especially Malaysia. This song is being used as the original soundtrack for an Indonesian movie called “Air Mata di Ujung Sajadah” (or “Tears at the Edge of the Praying Mat”).
This song is very popular in Malaysia and has been covered by many Malaysian singers, leading to people thinking that this is a Malaysian song. In fact, this is an Indonesian song, if you notice, the lyrics are Indonesian and not Malay. Many of our Malaysian friends got confused with the lyrics: “Dawai yang telah lama kupetik” – how wires (“dawai” in Malay) can be plucked (dipetik). Dawai in Indonesian means “strings”, which usually refer to the guitar strings, that can be plucked (or strummed) when the guitar is being played.
Below are the full lyrics of the “Dawai” song – in Indonesian, and its English translation.
Tujuh tahun sudah, kau buatku percaya
Dengan keyakinan yang semu membiru
Tenggelamku dalam sebuah kepalsuan
Yang kau rajut untuk membalut malu
Reff:
Dawai yang telah lama kupetik
Sumbang dan terus lirih berpekik
Doa yang pernah ku ucap
Surga tak menjawab
Betapa sungguh tega oh hatimu
Mencuri yang digariskan untukku
Hati yang dulu terluka
Dirundung dilema
Mencoba 'tuk paham, namun sulit maafkan
Iman yang kugenggam kini pun tenggelam
Di palung lautan kini t'lah kutemukan
Secercah harapan yang lama t'lah hilang
Kembali ke Reff
English translation:
Strings (“Tears at the Edge of the Praying Mat” OST)
It's been seven years, you made me believe
With confidence, that is fake and turning blue
I am sinking deep into a fakeness
The one you knit to cover your shame
Chorus:
The strings I have been plucking for a long time
Out of tune and continued to scream softly
The prayer I once said
Heaven does not answer
So heartless, oh your heart
Stealing what was destined for me
A heart that used to be hurt
Plagued by dilemma
Trying to understand, but it's hard to forgive
The faith I hold is now sinking
In an ocean trench, now I have found
A glimmer of hope, the old one is gone
Back to Chorus
The original music video from Fadhilah Intan:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bN4wLeFtfI
