Discover the complete English translation, basic chords, and the hidden romantic meaning (sisindiran) of Es Lilin. Uncover the true history of its creator, Ibu Mursih!
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The Definitive Guide to West Java’s Sweetest Melody: Es Lilin
As we navigate the bustling streets of Bandung in 2026—with its endless array of modern cafes and contemporary lifestyle—our collective memory of the city’s nostalgic romance will never fade as long as the melody of Es Lilin (Ice Lolly) continues to play. This song is not merely a tune about a sweet, refreshing treat on a hot day. More profoundly, Es Lilin is a timeless portrait of the elegance, shyness, and careful modesty of a Sundanese woman when faced with romance. Dissecting this song is like reading the diary of a village girl in the Pasundan lands, hesitant yet full of hope.
History & Fact-Checking the Composer
If you browse older music literature or internet portals, you will frequently find the composer of Es Lilin listed as “NN” (No Name / Anonymous), with the song only recognized through the popularity of singers like Nining Meida or Siti Nurhaliza.
Crucial Historical Fact-Correction
As a cultural fact-checker, we have validated the latest data from the historical archives of West Java. The “NN” status is historically incorrect. This song was composed by Ni Mursih in the 1950s.
This fact was officially validated and cemented by the Regional Government of West Java Province. During the peak of the West Java Festival 2024 concert held on August 25, 2024, at Saparua Field, the Acting Governor of West Java officially awarded a Lifetime Achievement award to Ni Mursih as the true maestro and creator of the song Es Lilin. Correcting this historical fact is a vital step to ensure we no longer erase the intellectual property of local artists whose works have brought international pride to the nation.
In literary terms, the lyrics of this song are structured using the Sisindiran pattern (Sundanese traditional poetry). The first two lines act as the cangkang (the shell/introduction), narrating the process of selling ice lollies around Bandung (from Sukajadi to Cipaganti). The last two lines are the eusi (the core message), expressing the woman’s inner anxieties and shyness.
Complete Lyrics & English Translation
Here is the complete version of the Es Lilin lyrics along with its English translation, allowing you to appreciate the beauty of its romantic poetry:
Es lilin mah didorong-dorong
The ice lolly is sold on a pushcart
Dibantun mah dibantun ka Sukajadi
Brought, brought all the way to Sukajadi
Abdi isin ceuceu samar kaduga
I am shy, sister, truly uncertain in my heart
Sok sieun mah aduuh henteu ngajadi
So afraid, oh my, that it won't work out
Es lilin mah ceuceu buatan Bandung
The ice lolly, sister, is made in Bandung
Dicandakna geuningan ka Cipaganti
It is taken, apparently, to Cipaganti
Abdi isin jungjunan duh bararingung
I am shy, my love, oh so confused
Sok inggis mah aduuh henteu ngajadi
So worried, oh my, that it won't work out
Itu saha dunungan nu nungtun munding
Who is that, my lord, leading the buffalo
Digantelan geuning ku saputangan
Hung, apparently, with a handkerchief
Itu saha dunungan ku ginding teuing
Who is that, my lord, looking so dashing
Sing horeng mah aduh geuning jungjunan
It turns out, oh my, it is you my love
Es lilin mah ceuceu dikalapaan
The ice lolly, sister, is mixed with coconut
Raosna mah geuningan kabina-bina
Its deliciousness is truly extraordinary
Abdi alim dunungan paduduaan
I do not want, my lord, to be just the two of us
Sok sieun mah dibantun kamana-mana
I am afraid of being taken everywhere
Kamana mah geuningan ngaitkeun kincir
Where should I hook the pinwheel
Ka kaler mah ka kaler katojo bulan
To the north, to the north, illuminated by the moon
Kamana mah dunungan ngaitkeun pikir
Where, my lord, should I hook my thoughts (heart)
Moal paler geuningan da ku sabulan
It won't fade away, even after a month
Musical Guide & Basic Chords (Musicianship)
The original Es Lilin is rooted in the Sundanese pentatonic scales (Pelog/Salendro). However, in its adaptation to regional pop music, the song is very comfortably played using a diatonic harmonic minor scale.
For those who wish to accompany this song with an acoustic guitar, here is the Basic Chord Guide that provides a melancholic and flowing nuance (in the key of A Minor / Am = La):
[Verse 1]
Am F Am
Es lilin mah didorong-dorong
Am F E
Dibantun mah dibantun ka Sukajadi
F Am
Abdi isin ceuceu samar kaduga
G F E Am
Sok sieun mah aduuh henteu ngajadi
[Verse 2]
Am F Am
Es lilin mah ceuceu buatan Bandung
Am F E
Dicandakna geuningan ka Cipaganti
F Am
Abdi isin jungjunan duh bararingung
G F E Am
Sok inggis mah aduuh henteu ngajadi
(Pro Tip: Use a slow, swaying, and gentle fingerpicking (arpeggio) style to bring out the romantic and cautious nuance characteristic of Sundanese songs).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the moral message or main meaning of the song Es Lilin?
This song represents the politeness, shyness (isin), and honor of a Sundanese woman. The lyric “Abdi alim dunungan paduduaan, sok sieun mah dibantun kamana-mana” (I do not want to be just the two of us, I am afraid of being taken everywhere) teaches the principle of self-respect, cautioning against being easily tempted to be alone with the opposite sex to avoid gossip and unwanted situations.
2. Which singers popularized this song?
Although composed by Ni Mursih, the song exploded in the national and international music markets thanks to the golden voice of the legendary Sundanese pop singer, Nining Meida, in the 1980s. The Malaysian superstar, Siti Nurhaliza, also covered this song, making it famous globally.
3. What is the “Sisindiran” pattern in this song?
Sisindiran is a form of traditional Sundanese poetry similar to the Malay pantun. It has a cangkang (shell/introductory lines) at the beginning that usually discusses nature or objects (like selling ice lollies), and an eusi (core message) at the end that discusses feelings or gives advice.
Conclusion & Recommendations
Es Lilin is an incredibly sweet artistic masterpiece, as sweet as the treat it is named after. Through the weaving of shy yet resolute words, Ni Mursih successfully sculpted the character of an elegant and principled woman of the archipelago. Singing this song today is our way of preserving the values of modesty that are beginning to be eroded by time.
Read Also (Other West Java Traditional Songs):
- Manuk Dadali (Sambas Mangundikarta)
- Bubuy Bulan (Benny Corda)
- Bajing Luncat (Kosaman Djaja)
References:
- Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) of West Java Province (2024). “Pemda Provinsi Jabar Berikan Penghargaan Lifetime Achievement kepada Nike Ardilla dan Ni Mursih”.
- Paraguna Journal, LP2M ISBI Bandung (2022). “Es Lilin Mursih dan Fenomena Anonim Lagu Sunda”.
- Journal of Arts & Culture (ResearchGate, 2023) – “Mursih’s Es Lilin and the Anonymous Phenomenon in Sundanese Songs” by Dr. Yusuf Wiradiredja.
- Archives of the West Java Department of Education and Culture Decree No. 180/102/13/J/88 (1988 regarding Ibu Mursih’s Copyright).
- Cultural Portal, Language Development and Cultivation Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemdikbud.go.id).
