“Ang Gitara,” (The Guitar) by Magdalena Jalandoni

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Ang baw-ing nga manga dalan The desolated roads

kon hadkan kag pasili-on if kissed and polished

Sang bulan nga naga-ugsad Of the full moon

kag nangin angay sa sulu which became like a lamp

Upod sa kulas sang hangin Together with the rustling of the wind

nga halus gani bati-on which was barely heard

Ang guitara nagabuylog The guitar is accompanying

hinay nga hilibi-on gentle soft weeping

Sa pagsuguid sang kasakit In telling the misery

nga una niyang guinmulu. which he lamented first

Halin sa patag kag bukid From the fields and mountains

nga sang bulan napawa-an of the moon enlightened

Halin sa payag nga diotay From the small hut

nga daw guinbuksan sing hungod which seems like it was

intentionally opened

Pamatii kay galanton ang Listen it is humming a tune

guitara nga duma-an the guitar which is antiquated

Pamatii kay gatu-aw ang Listen for the shout

nahut niyang balaan of his sacred piece

Sang paghoy nga sa gugma In the outburst that in love

kag sa kamingaw natungod. and in loneliness is referring to

Kag ayhan sa kasingkasing And perhaps in the heart

sang gakuskos nga tag-iya of an owner who is brushing

May unay nga kasulub-on There is an attachment of sadness

nga dili didto makakas that it will never be removed there

Kay samtang nagalanton ‘Cos while humming

ang tagsa ka nahut niya each of his piece

Wala sing dili mawili Nothing will never make you hooked up to

sa pagpamati sa iya, in listening to him

Wala sing dili bumatyag No one will not feel or numbed

sing kasulub-on nga lakas. the sadness that is so strong