Pandai Besi
Pandai Besi Lyrics

The lyrics of Pandai Besi's song "Pandai Besi" contain a critique of the authoritarianism of those in power who suppress those with differing opinions and ways of expressing themselves. The repetition of the lines "Siapa yang b'rani bernyanyi akan dikebiri, siapa yang b'rani menari kan dieksekusi" (Whoever dares to sing will be castrated, whoever dares to dance will be executed) emphasize the severity of the consequences for artistic expression under such regimes. The lyrics suggest that those in power view themselves as morally superior, with a "mission" that justifies their violent suppression of those they consider to be immoral or impure.

The final line of the lyrics, "Lalu mereka bilang, bilang kami jalang" (Then they say, they say we are promiscuous), suggests that those in power use accusations of immorality to justify their suppression of dissenting voices. The repetition of this line further emphasizes the irony, and perhaps even hypocrisy, of those in power condemning the very behaviors they themselves engage in.