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.
Sapuku Sapumu Sapu Sapu
Iwan Fals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh kawan
Dengan sapu ganyang sampah dan debu
Tuk sesuap makan
Hari panas hari hujan memang tantangan
Siapa bilang bukan
Namun tugas tetap jalan absen gaji melayang
Pernahkah tuan pikirkan
Jasa mereka
Pernahkah tuan renungkan
Harga keringatnya
Tukang sapu bawa sapu masuk di kantor
Bersihkan yang kotor
Cukong kotor mandor koruptor semua yang kotor
Awas kena sensor
Tukang sapu bawa sapu juga disapu
Kok bisa begitu
Istri iri lihat tetangga punya barang baru
Akupun begitu
Inilah manusia
Dengan segala macam warna hidupnya
Tuk mencapai bahagia
Semua jalan ditempuhnya
Ho ho ho ho ho ha ha ha ha na na na na
The lyrics to Iwan Fals's song "Sapuku Sapumu Sapu Sapu" tell the story of a street sweeper and the challenges he faces while performing his daily duties. The song starts off by acknowledging the hard work that the street sweeper puts in every day, rain or shine, to keep the streets free of debris. Despite the challenges, the street sweeper continues to work tirelessly, earning only enough to feed himself.
The lyrics then pose a question to the listener, asking them if they have ever considered the value of the street sweeper's service and the worth of his sweat and toil. The second verse goes on to describe how the street sweeper cleans not only the physical dirt on the streets, but also the corruption and filth represented by dishonest businessmen and corrupt politicians who threaten to censor him if he speaks out against them. In the final part of the song, the lyrics suggest that the street sweeper is just like any other person, with his own desires and aspirations, and ultimately, he is a part of the tapestry of humanity that comes in all colors and walks of life.
Overall, "Sapuku Sapumu Sapu Sapu" is a poignant social commentary on the importance of recognizing and respecting the invaluable contributions of everyday working people, regardless of their social status or job description.
Line by Line Meaning
Tukang sapu kuli pu besar jasamu
The street sweepers who work hard deserve our respect and gratitude.
Oh kawan
Oh friend.
Dengan sapu ganyang sampah dan debu
Using their brooms, they remove trash and dust.
Tuk sesuap makan
They do it in exchange for a meal.
Hari panas hari hujan memang tantangan
Working in extreme weather conditions is a challenge.
Siapa bilang bukan
Who says it isn't?
Namun tugas tetap jalan absen gaji melayang
However, their duties continue, and if they skip work, they lose their pay.
Maklum kuli harian
That's the life of a daily wage worker.
Pernahkah tuan pikirkan
Have you ever thought about it, sir?
Jasa mereka
Their services.
Pernahkah tuan renungkan
Have you ever reflected, sir?
Harga keringatnya
The value of their sweat.
Tukang sapu bawa sapu masuk di kantor
The street sweeper carries the broom into the office.
Bersihkan yang kotor
And cleans up the dirt and the mess.
Cukong kotor mandor koruptor semua yang kotor
And not just the physical dirt, but also the corruption of the bosses and their supervisors.
Awas kena sensor
Beware of spying and being caught.
Tukang sapu bawa sapu juga disapu
The street sweeper cleans with a broom, but is also swept aside.
Kok bisa begitu
How is that possible?
Istri iri lihat tetangga punya barang baru
His wife is jealous of the new possessions of their neighbors.
Akupun begitu
I am the same.
Inilah manusia
This is humanity.
Dengan segala macam warna hidupnya
With all its different colors of life.
Tuk mencapai bahagia
To achieve happiness.
Semua jalan ditempuhnya
All roads are traveled.
Ho ho ho ho ho ha ha ha ha na na na na
The chorus of the song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHILUNG RAMALI, VIRGIAWAN LISTANTO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Voldemort Bastile
Tukang sapu, kuli PU, besar jasamu
Oh kawan
Dengan sapu ganyang sampah dan debu
'Tuk sesuap makan
Hari panas, hari hujan, memang tantangan
Siapa bilang bukan
Namun tugas tetap jalan, absen gaji melayang
Maklum kuli harian
Pernahkah tuan pikirkan
Jasa mereka
Pernahkah tuan renungkan
Harga keringatnya
Tukang sapu bawa sapu masuk di kantor
Bersihkan yang kotor
Cukong kotor, mandor, koruptor, semua yang kotor
Awas kena sensor
Tukang sapu bawa sapu juga disapu
Kok bisa begitu?
Istri iri lihat tetangga punya barang baru
Aku pun begitu
Inilah manusia
Dengan segala macam warna hidupnya
'Tuk mencapai bahagia
Semua jalan ditempuhnya
Deri Sunandar
gw banget ini lagu bang iwan gw bangga jadi tukang sapu lbh mulia dari pada para maling uang rakyat dan makan keringat rakyat
Burhanudin Gb
@Raya musik iiiiiii😁iiiiiii😁iiiiiiiiiii😁iiiiiii
Burhanudin Gb
@Raya musik iiiiiii😁iiiiiii😁iiiiiiiiiii😁iiiiiii
Laskar Nusakambangan
Semangat kawan.
Taqien mutaqien
Keren lu bangg
aji njawi
Mantaapp mas👍👍
Kuda Terbang
lagu yg memang nyata...fakta....
jujur saya tumbuh dan belajar kehidupan dengan lagu lagu om virgiawan listanto......
terima kasih
Achmad Dwi Saputra
saya pun begitu
R. Wahyu Hadi Putra
Musik dan senandungmu sungguh elok ... tak akan pernah bosan aku mendengarnya.. "perfect"
teguh sulaksono
Pada tahun 1982, Boedoet I Jakarta - Surabaya terasa dekat. Lagu ini kesukaan orang yg sangat KUCINTA setelah IBUku sendiri. Dia yg mengubah jalan hidupku... Cinta memang tidak harus bersatu. Tetapi Cintaku padanya tak akan terlupakan sepanjang hidup ini .