Springorchid Files

This post contains the lyrics for Home in English and Mandarin and a compilation of the various covers and performances of the song over the years.

I grew up having to sing Singaporean patriotic songs throughout my schooling days. Songs like Stand up for Singapore, Count on me Singapore, and One People, One Nation, One Singapore. Oh my God, hair-raising songs. I wonder how I survive without major brain damage.

My point is, I became pretty jaded when it comes to patriotic songs when I am older.

家 (jia) or Home is an exception. It was written by the very talented Dick Lee in 1998. He wrote the song and penned the English lyrics. The Chinese lyrics were penned by 木子 (李茀民). Both of them receive no royalty for the song even though it is one of the most popular songs in Singapore.

It was picked as the National Day theme song for 1998 and 2004. It is a wonderful song celebrating the home as a source of strength and hope that an individual in a very big world can run back to.

It is still sang every National Day since 1998. It is an evergreen.

Lyrics for Home In Mandarin

Click to play the song and follow along with the lyrics below it.

每一次我感到彷徨
不自禁就会回头望
我知道心中有个地方
一定会有一盏灯
照亮每一颗黑暗的心房
指引未来方向
沿着生命河流向前航
就能登陆理想

(Chorus 副歌:)
我的家 收藏
我的欢喜悲伤
只要点燃希望
梦就会自由飞翔
我的家 给我
一双坚定翅膀
我的梦 不论在何方
一生的爱唯有家

再也不会感到彷徨
不会再失意回头望
我要用心中一点烛光
燃放千万户辉煌
要让繁华的城市更灿烂
世界和平共享
全凭生命河流来导航
一起登陆理想

(Repeat Chorus x2 重复副歌 x2)

一生的爱 唯有家
世世代代温暖的家

Lyrics for Home in English

Whenever I am feeling low,
I look around me and I know.
There's a place that will stay within me,
wherever I may choose to go.
I will always recall the city,
know every street and shore.
Sail down the river that brings us life,
winding through my Singapore...

CHORUS:
This is home truly,
where I know I must be.
Where my dreams wait for me,
where the river always flows.
This is home surely,
as my senses tell me.
This is where I won't be alone.
For this is where I know it's home.

Whenever there are troubles to go through,
we'll find a way to start anew.
There is comfort in the knowledge and home about its people too.
So we'll build our dreams together,
just like we've done before.
Just like the river that brings us life,
there will always be Singapore..

(Repeat chorus)

For this is where, I know I'm home...

Compilation of Different Covers of Home

2004 Young Voices National Day Version

2010 National Day Parade Version

2011 Extended Version featuring 39 artistes

2014 The Sam Willows Cover

2015 Version by Kit Chan at the National Day Rally

2016 Acappella Cover by My Apex Project

2020 Singapore Virtual Choir

Whenever I am feeling low, I listen to this song and feel better.

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