123. Bengawan Solo (Gesang Martohartono)

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Written in 1940 about Java's longest river, this is the best known of all Indonesian songs. It is the song I have in reserve when I travel in Indonesia and other Malay-speaking countries. Many times, while taking an evening stroll, I have been invited to join a group of young people sitting around with a guitar or two. Inevitably I will be asked to sing a song. If they want an English song I sing something simple like "Wooden Heart", but I usually end up singing "Bengawan Solo", which they always know. I have also sung it on a Pelni ship, with full backing of the ship's band - quite a novel experience. I was honored to know that this video was shown on Indonesian television after the death of Gesang Martohartono. You can see a playlist of my songs from Asia, Africa and the Middle East here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3EA30970DB19283E For lyrics and chords of my songs please see my website: http://www.raymondcrooke.com

Category: Music
Uploaded: May 1st, 2007 @ 8:07 am
Author: raymondcrooke

Length: 02:48
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Tags: folk song indonesia bahasa melayu malaysia brunei

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