ROYAL MUSICAL COMPOSITION “KLAI ROONG” “NEAR DAWN”

“Klai Roong” was composed prior to His Majesty King Bhumibol’s accession to the throne. Prof.Dr. Prasert Na Nagara, who composed the Thai lyrics noted that His Majesty did not give him any specific theme for composing the lyrics. However, he was inspired by the sound of his neighbour’s rooster crowing in the early morning.

“At the house where I stayed, Khun Luang Suwanwajakakasikij was trying to breed chickens that would lay plenty of eggs. They were well fed. Therefore, each morning there were roosters crowing all over the place. That is where my inspiration came from.”

Prof.Dr. Prasert noted that there is a half minor note in this song, which the Thais were not yet accustomed to when first introduced, but later accepted the technique. He also noted that His Majesty applied a special technique, usually found in traditional Thai music, to this westernized composition.

Prof.Dr. Prasert revealed that it took one hour to compose the lyrics, but as he was at that time still inexperienced in reading musical scores, he wrote the lyrics, verse for verse without realizing the significance of the symbol at the end of the third verse, which meant that one has to start at the beginning again. So initially, he only composed three verses. It was not until H.H. Prince Chakrabandh Pensiri explained to him that another verse was needed, did he complete the total song in accordance with the musical score, together with H.H. Prince Chakrabandh Pensiri.

“Klai Roong” had its premiere on air on the government’s Public Relations Department radio station.

“Near Dawn” was composed by Prof.Thanpuying Nopakhun Thongyai Na Ayudhya with some assistance from H.H. Prince Chakrabandh Pensiri.