Chan Mali Chan

Lyrics – Malay

(Malaysian folk song)

Di mana dia anak kambing saya?
Anak kambing saya yang makan daun talas
Di mana dia buah hati saya?
Buah hati saya bagai telur dikupas

Refrain
Chan mali chan, chan mali chan
Chan mali chan, ketipung payung

Di mana dia, anak kambing saya?
Anak kambing saya main di tepi sawah
Di mana dia, cinta hati saya?
Cinta hati saya yang pakai baju merah  Refrain

Di mana dia anak kambing tuan?
Anak kambing tuan di atas jambatan
Yang mana dia si bunga pujaan?
Si bunga tanjung dihujung dahan  Refrain

English Translation

Where is he, my little goat?
My little goat is eating taro leaves.
Where is he, my loved one?
My loved one is like a shelled egg.

Refrain
Chan mali chan, chan mali chan,
chan mali chan, ketipung payung*

Where is he, my little goat?
My little goat is playing by the paddy fields.
Where is he, my loved one?
My loved one who is wearing red.  Refrain

Where is your little goat, sir?
Sir, your goat is on top of the bridge.
Which one of those is your favourite flower, sir?
It is the Tanjong flower at the end of the branch.  Refrain

*”In the Malay culture metaphors such as ketipung (no translation available), paying (umbrella), intan (diamond) and bunga tanjong (flowers cape) are used as references to someone lovely and precious.” (source)

YouTube

  • PDF of song with chords
  • MIDI file
  • Listen to the melody

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