The first song, "Si Nanay, Si Tatay" is probably the best known Bikol song. And, with the possible exception of "Sarung Banggi," it is also the best loved. Although its lyrics have been criticized by some as maudlin and even gruesome in part, its haunting melody has made it a perennial favorite not only as a song but also as a dance piece. The humor in the last stanza should relieve whatever oversentimentality may be objected to in the preceding ones. Like many others of our old Bikol songs, there are slightly varying versions of this song.

» Buhinon
» Standard Bikol
» English

Si Inay, si Itay di ko pagbayaan
Ta mala ka dakel a saken nga utang-
Nyo pagdara saken ning siyam nga bulan.
Sinoso kong gatas di ko mabayaran.

Ay Inay, ay Itay, kin ako magalin
Maiidaw ninyo sa ngamin nga agin;
Minsan makakokong sa saken isangli,
Indi makaareg saken nga ugali.

Ay Inay, ay Itay, kin ako maraet,
Pugotan nin payo, ibontog sa lawed.
Kin makita ninyong ipianodanod
Ay Inay, ay Itay, sapeda oaman tolos

Si Inay, si Itay eda pagkairak
Ipapasghed saken 'sad a agko kuyap;
Piro kin madagos a sakandang gayak,
Ilowen ko iya tanganing matigbak.

Back to Top | Buhinon | Standard Bikol | English

Si Nanay, si Tatay di ko babayaan,
Balakid na boot an sakuyang utang -
Sipagdara sako nin siyam na bulan,
Gatas na sinoso, di ko mabayadan.

Ay Nanay, ay Tatay, kon ako maghale,
Hihidawon nindo sa gabos na aki;
Maski makakua nin makakasangle,
Dai makaarog kan sakong ugale.

Ay Nanay, ay Tatay, kon ako maraot,
Pugotan nin payo, ibontog sa lawod,
Kon maheling nindo na naganodanod,
Ay Nanay, ay Tatay, sapoda man tolos.

Si Nanay, si Tatay daing pagkaherak,
Gustong agomon ko an sarong may kuyap.
Ay Nanay ay Tatay, kon kami mamogtak
Iloho ko siya tanganing matigbak.

Back to Top | Buhinon | Standard Bikol | English

Mother dear, Father dear, ne'er shall I go away,
for I owe you a debt I can never repay -
The nine months I had lived as an unborn baby,
The milk from Mother's milk that for months nourished me.

Mother dear, Father dear, if I should go away,
I'm afraid that you might miss me some fateful day
For even if you find someone to take my place,
He will not care for you as I have all these days.

Mother dear, Father dear, if you think ill of me,
Cut off my head and on the lake cast it away;
But if you should see it as it floats sadly by,
Retrieve it please at once with a forgiving sigh.

Mother dear, Father dear for me have no pity,
For they would have me wed one diseased and ugly;
But if they should persist and the marriage takes place,
I shall poison my spouse and end my miseries.




Back to Top | Buhinon | Standard Bikol | English