We are the world …We are the children

Yesterday being Children’s Day in Thailand, I was constantly hearing on television our lively Thailand’s Children’s Day song, which triggered off my memories of a world-famous song in which many celebrated American singers participated to raise money for Africa.

This world-famous song, of course, is not the traditional children’s day song but the concept of the song is that we are all children of the world and much can be achieved if we help each other. Yes, I am undoubtedly talking about the song “We are the World”. The idea of this impact-full song was originally conceived when American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist Harry Belafonte wanted to put together a benefit concert that featured black musicians to raise money for African famine relief in Ethiopia which was experiencing unusual drought that year.

Belafonte asked Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie to write the song, and the single was produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian in 1985 for the album We Are the World. Forty-five great artistes of that era which included Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Tina Turner, Ray Charles and Roy Orbison got together to record the single that became a worldwide commercial success and sold more than 20 million copies after it was released on March 7, 1985.

"We are the world, we are the children,
We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving.”

I think everyone who was grown up enough to like music in that era could sing this beautiful song which I would like to share now with all of you.

"We're The World (USA For Africa)"

There comes a time when we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all

We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We all are a part of God's great big family
And the truth, you know,
Love is all we need

[Chorus:]
We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

Send them your heart so they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand

[Chorus]

When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Well...well...well
Let's realize that a change can only come
When we stand together as one
[Chorus]

Thailand’s Children’s Day Song

As I mentioned above, yesterday was Children’s Day in Thailand and from early morning onwards as well as throughout the day I heard on television Thailand’s Children’s Day song which almost every Thai child from the age of six onwards should be able to sing.

Is there something special about this song? Well, it’s one of those learning-by-repeating songs which are so popular in Thai classrooms. You will see what I mean in the translation I did below, and in order to make it more fun, I have also done a ka-ra-o-ke version for you to sing along if you wish.

(Literal Translation of Thailand’s Children’s Day Song)
Respectful children
Have 10 duties to carry out
Obedient children
Have 10 duties to carry out

One: They follow the teaching of their religions
Two: They stick very close to traditions
Three: They obey parents and teachers

Four: They speak with politeness and sweet words
Five: They cherish reciprocation and loyalty
Six: They know and love their duty

Seven: They study to become proficient
They are diligent, they persevere, and are never lazy
Eight: They know how to save for the future

Nine: They are ever so honest
With the courage and braveness of sportsmen
To make themselves fit for this nation development era

Ten: They make themselves indispensable
They know what’s right what’s wrong; they preserve the country’s treasures
Children in this nation development era
Will be children to lead our nation to prosperity

So, did you like the meaning of our Children’s Day song, and are you ready to sing along with these lively schoolchildren?
Let’s go then.

Dek-oey-dek-dee
Tong-me-na-tee-sip-yang-duay-gun
Dek-oey-dek-dee
Tong-me-na-tee-sip-yang-duay-gun

(1)Nung-nub-tue-sa-sa-na
(2)Song-rak-sa-tham-niem-mun
(3)Sam-chuea-poh-mae-kru-acharn
(4)See-wa-ja-nun-tong-suparb-oon-wan

(5)Hah-yued-man-ka-tan-yu
(6)Hock-pen-poo-roo-rak-garn-ngan
(7)Jed-tong-suk-sa-hai-chiew-charn
Tong-ma-na-barg-bun-mai-kiet-mai-kran

(8)Paed-roo-jak-oom-pra-yad
(9)Gao-tong-sue-sat-ta-lod-karn
Nam-jai-nak-gi-la-kla-harn
Hai-moh-kab-kal-sa-mai-chart-pa-ta-na
(10)Sib-tam-ton-hai-pen-pra-yot
Roo-bab-boon-koon-tod-som-bat-chart-tong-rak-sa
Dek-sa-mai-chart-pa-ta-na
Ja-pen-dek-tee-pa-chart-thai-cha-roen