He was popular for his gritty-witty ballads accentuated on life of Indonesia's marginalized groups or political satire on the troubled Indonesian social/political scene under Soeharto. His socially aware hit-songs including: "Oemar Bakri" tells about teacher, "Lonteku" is a love story between a criminal and a prostitute, and "Wakil Rakyat" is about members of parliament.
After Reformasi movement on 1997 which leads to democratisation he was a kind of losing the edge for political satire, but his mature musical experience keeps him on Indonesian pop chart with inward-looking songs and songs about personal relationships.
Kesaksian
Iwan Fals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jerit makhluk terluka
Luka luka hidupnya
Luka
Orang memanah rembulan
Burung sirna sarangnya
Sirna sirna hidup redup
Banyak orang hilang nafkahnya
Aku bernyanyi menjadi saksi
Banyak orang dirampas haknya
Aku bernyanyi menjadi saksi
Mereka dihinakan
Tanpa daya
Ya tanpa daya
Terbiasa hidup sangsi
Orang orang harus dibangunkan
Aku bernyanyi menjadi saksi
Kenyataan harus dikabarkan
Aku bernyanyi menjadi saksi
Lagu ini jeritan jiwa
Hidup bersama harus dijaga
Lagu ini harapan sukma
Hidup yang layak harus dibela
The song Kesaksian by Iwan Fals is a poignant commentary on the current state of the world, where human beings live amidst endless suffering and despair. The opening lines of the song capture the agony of creatures who are hurt and wounded, screaming in pain. The singer describes how their lives are full of wounds that seem never to heal. The entire universe is in chaos, as people shoot down the moon and birds lose their nests, leaving darkness to reign supreme. The hurt that envelops living creatures echoes in the vast and expansive universe, leaving deep scars that are hard to forget.
Against this backdrop, the singer brings in the role of the witness, the saksi in the Bahasa language. Many people are losing their livelihoods and human rights, and the witness comes to life through Iwan Fals’ music. Those who are powerless and oppressed are humiliated and left to live a life of uncertainty. They are bystanders who see life from the shadows, but through the song, they become witnesses to the wretchedness of the world, unafraid to speak their truth.
In a sense, Kesaksian becomes a song of hope, calling for the emergence of a generation that will stand up for what is right. The song becomes a cry for help, a lament of those who are hurting, and a rally cry for those who would stand up and fight. It is a poignant tribute to the heroes among us, calling upon us to fight for a life that is worth living.
Line by Line Meaning
Aku mendengar suara
I hear a voice
Jerit makhluk terluka
Screams of wounded creatures
Luka luka hidupnya
Wounds on their lives
Luka
Injury
Orang memanah rembulan
People shoot the moon
Burung sirna sarangnya
Birds lose their nests
Sirna sirna hidup redup
Life fades away
Alam semesta luka
The universe is wounded
Banyak orang hilang nafkahnya
Many people lose their livelihoods
Aku bernyanyi menjadi saksi
I sing to bear witness
Banyak orang dirampas haknya
Many people are being deprived of their rights
Mereka dihinakan
They are being humiliated
Tanpa daya
Powerless
Ya tanpa daya
Yes, powerless
Terbiasa hidup sangsi
Accustomed to living under suspicion
Orang orang harus dibangunkan
People must be awakened
Kenyataan harus dikabarkan
The truth must be spread
Lagu ini jeritan jiwa
This song is a cry of the soul
Hidup bersama harus dijaga
Living together must be protected
Lagu ini harapan sukma
This song is the hope of the soul
Hidup yang layak harus dibela
A decent life must be defended
Contributed by Jacob E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Agus Prabowo
Salah satu saksi sejarah merinding mendengarkan lagu ini, apalagi lagu ini dinyanyikan di konser budaya di NTB sungguh luar biasa....
rocco 11111
Lagu ini dibuat Om Iwan berdasarkan kehidupan yang dialami oleh beliau selama bergabung menjadi anggota PGB Bangau Putih. Saat bersama Om Sawung Jabo. Sama juga dengan Lagu Suhu yang terilhami oleh Suhu Subur Rahardja,pendiri PGB Bangau Putih.
Evi Sofyan
Saya bangga terhadap bangsa ini memiliki seniman yang wahh sprti Bang Iwan fals
marwan art
Karya puisi WS Rendra yang di nyanyikan oleh sang maestro sangat luar biasa 😍
Agus Sulistio
Klo ingat lagu ini ingat konser Kantata takwa di GBK THN 1990 an... raja nya musisi terbaik indonesia...Setiawan Djodi,Iwan fals,Ws Rendra,Sawung Jabo...desain panggung raksasa bergambar burung rajawali...di tambah lampu laser....wow merinding sambil ikut bernyanyi bergetar jiwa dan raga...Ampe gak terasa konser selesai jam 1 mlm....KANTATA TAkWA...🇮🇩🇮🇩🇮🇩
Ud En
Seumuran kayane Iki hahaha ..
Huhiha Ko
Satu generasi....aku pun menjadi saksi konser pertama di GBK thn 1990...
Evi Sofyan
Teruslah bang Iwan berkarya buat bangsa ini😍
Abee 73
🌿Baper gw sama kesaksian ...mo live atau dengerin di CD ...rasanya gokil aja ....paling gw suka reff teriaknya lepas seolah bang Iwan mewakili jeritan kita ,bahwa kita punya hak untuk hidup yg layak ......🍀🌺
Ichaa Ichaaa
Dulu Sering nyanyikn lagu ini saat demo...sekarang lagu ini jadi penuh makna..penuh kenangan...semangat diatas kebenaran hrs trus disuarakan agar gnerasi milenial tau bhw dulu ada org yg brkorban utk hari ini