Iwan Fals, born Virgiawan Listanto on 3 September 1961 in Jakarta, is a cha… Read Full Bio ↴Iwan Fals, born Virgiawan Listanto on 3 September 1961 in Jakarta, is a charismatic Indonesian singer/songwriter and remembered as Indonesia's the most dangerous singer on the '80s and '90s.

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.

Siang Seberang Istana
Iwan Fals Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Seorang anak kecil bertubuh dekil
Tertidur berbantal sebelah lengan
Berselimut debu jalanan
Rindang pohon jalan menunggu rela
Kawan setia sehabis bekerja
Siang di seberang sebuah istana
Siang di seberang istana sang raja
Kotak semir mungil dan sama dekil

Benteng rapuh dari lapar memanggil
Gardu dan mata para penjaga
Saksi nyata yang sudah terbiasa
Tamu negara tampak terpesona
Mengelus dada gelengkan kepala
Saksikan perbedaan yang ada
Sombong melangkah istana yang megah
Seakan meludah diatas tubuh yang resah
Ribuan jerit didepan hidungmu (matamu)
Namun yang ku tahu tak terasa mengganggu
Gema azan ashar sentuh telinga
Buyarkan mimpi sikecil siang tadi

Dia berdiri malas melangkahkan kaki
Diraihnya mimpi digenggam tak dilepaskan lagi

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Iwan Fals's "Siang Seberang Istana" tell the story of a little boy who grows up in poverty and sleeps on the streets, using the dirt and grime as a blanket. He has a loyal friend who he sees after work, and during the day they are across from a grand palace that belongs to the king. The little boy has a small shoe-polishing kit that he uses to make money, and the palace guards and guests often see him. Despite how poor he is compared to those within the palace walls, they are unable to ignore him and the stark contrast between their lives.

The song is a commentary on social inequality and class divide, with the lyrics highlighting the harsh realities of those living in poverty in contrast to the extreme wealth of the royals. The imagery of the little boy's filthiness and the grandeur of the palace serves to emphasize the stark contrast between the two worlds. The lyrics encourage the audience to recognize the inequality present and to work towards change.

Line by Line Meaning

Seorang anak kecil bertubuh dekil
A small child with a shabby appearance

Tertidur berbantal sebelah lengan
Fell asleep with a pillow by his arm

Berselimut debu jalanan
Covered in the dust of the streets

Rindang pohon jalan menunggu rela
Trees lining the roads await patiently

Kawan setia sehabis bekerja
Loyal friend after a hard day's work

Siang di seberang sebuah istana
Noon across a palace

Siang di seberang istana sang raja
Noon across the king's palace

Kotak semir mungil dan sama dekil
A small and shabby shoe-polishing box

Benteng rapuh dari lapar memanggil
A weak fortress calling out from hunger

Gardu dan mata para penjaga
Guard posts and the eyes of the guards

Saksi nyata yang sudah terbiasa
True witnesses who are accustomed