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.
Nak
Iwan Fals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mungkin samar bahkan mungkin gelap
Tajam kerikil setiap saat menunggu
Engkau lewat dengan kaki tak bersepatu
Duduk sini, Nak, dekat pada bapak
Jangan kau ganggu ibumu
Turunlah lekas dari pangkuannya
Jauh jalan yang harus kau tempuh
Mungkin samar bahkan mungkin gelap
Duduk sini, Nak, dekat pada bapak
Jangan kau ganggu ibumu
Turunlah lekas dari pangkuannya
Engkau lelaki kelak sendiri
The song "Nak" by Iwan Fals is a poignant and heartfelt message to a child, presumably a son, who is about to set off on his own journey. The first verse describes the difficult path that the child must travel, full of uncertainty, darkness and sharp stones. Despite the challenges, the father encourages his child to keep pushing forward with bare feet, indicating that the path may be tough, but it is still possible to navigate.
The chorus repeats the father's request for his child to sit close to him, while asking the child not to disturb his mother. Here, the father communicates his love for his son, suggesting that the message he wants to impart is one of encouragement, but also caution. Finally, the last line reminds the child that he will eventually have to become independent, that he must grow up into a man who can make his own way in the world, despite the obstacles that may lie ahead.
Overall, "Nak" is a poignant and emotional song that offers comfort and advice to a child who is about to embark on a difficult journey. The lyrics clearly demonstrate Iwan Fals' love for his children, while also conveying the importance of perseverance, independence, and self-reliance.
Line by Line Meaning
Jauh jalan yang harus kau tempuh
There are long roads that you must tread
Mungkin samar bahkan mungkin gelap
They may be obscure and dark
Tajam kerikil setiap saat menunggu
Sharp stones are always waiting to cut your path
Engkau lewat dengan kaki tak bersepatu
You pass through them barefooted
Duduk sini, Nak, dekat pada bapak
Sit down here, my child, beside me
Jangan kau ganggu ibumu
Don't disturb your mother
Turunlah lekas dari pangkuannya
Get down from her lap quickly
Engkau lelaki kelak sendiri
You will become a man on your own someday
Writer(s): Iwan Fals
Contributed by Max M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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on Mungkin
Jangan jangan semua nya sudah gila termasuk saya, mungkin