With the kind permission of poet Edgar B. Maranan, I'm reproducing his English translation of the nationalist's favorite, "Bayan Ko."
Bayan Ko (1929)
(Lyrics by Jose Corazon de Jesus, music by Constancio de Guzman)
Ang bayan kong Pilipinas
Lupain ng ginto’t bulaklak
Pag-ibig ang sa kanyang palad
Nag-alay ng ganda’t dilag
At sa kanyang yumi at ganda
Dayuhan ay nahalina
Bayan ko, binihag ka,
Nasadlak sa dusa.
Ibong mang may layang lumipad
Kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag
Ang di magnasang makaalpas!
Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha ko’t dalita…
Aking adhika
Makita kang sakdal laya!
In the book Bayan Ko! Images of the Philippine Revolt, published soon after the “People Power EDSA Revolution” of 1986, an English version of the song accompanies the original Filipino lyrics of Jose Corazon de Jesus. This translation by Ed Maranan -- with the title My Country -- is different from other existing translations because it can be sung in English, following the melodic line of composer Constancio de Guzman. A revised version of the translation appears in Dream Chasers, the Grade V reader in Anvil Publishing’s Our World of Reading series.
My Country (1986)
Philippines, my country, my homeland
Gold and flowers in her heart abound
Blessings on her fate did love bestow
Sweet beauty's grace and splendor's glow.
How her charms so kind and tender
Drove the stranger to desire her...
Land of mine, in fetters kept,
You suffered as we wept.
Birds that freely claim the skies to fly
When imprisoned mourn, protest and cry!
How more deeply will a land most fair
Yearn to break the chains of sad despair.
Philippines, my life's sole burning fire,
Cradle of my tears, my misery...
All that I desire
To see you rise, forever free!
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