Dayong Sampan (SATB)
Dayong Sampan was commissioned by Temasek Junior College in 1993, and it was one of Goh’s earliest a cappella compositions. This piece is based on a Malay folk song of the same title and tells the story of the early immigrants' journey to Singapore. The introduction depicts the misty dawn at sea before reaching the shores of Singapore. It is also a metaphor for the immigrants' struggles in a multilingual and multiracial society. The entire melody is presented in the middle section of the song which depicts the harmonious and peaceful gathering of people singing together. The song gradually picks up the pace to a stormy section that represents the various difficulties that comes with independence and subsequent nation building. Towards the end, the piece reminiscences the early days when our forefathers first arrived in Singapore.