Sa mga magsasakang nagbungkal

~I love to sing this song which I learned when I was in Grade 3 [even up to now] every planting and harvest time in my elementary years back in the barrios. I had it from an old music textbook which I received from my teacher back then. Every time I came to hum in tune to the melody of the song, I am caught entrance of the lyrics and reflect on the gratefulness expressed on the lines. I don't really know the title of the song yet, since the day I learn it, I can still sing it up to this moment with clarity and gaiety.[English Version]

We plant you deep in the rich, brown soil
Grow little seedling, grow
We pray the Lord to bless our toil
Grow little seedling, grow

We call on the sun to shine on the grain
Grow little seedling, grow
We call on the rain to nourish the plain
Grow little seedling, grow

And when the kind sun its work has done
When the rain has nourished the plain
When the rice plants tall
In the ricefield stand
Heads bow with the golden grain


[Tagalog Version]

Ang ating ani'y sagana
Sa tulong ni Bathala
Tayo'y matuwa at magalak
Tayo'y magpasalamat

Pasalamat din tayo ng lubos
Sa bisig na nagpagod
Sa mga magsasakang nagbungkal
Ng tumana't palayan

Pasalamat tayo kay Bathala
Sa tulong Niya't awa
Papurihan Siya magpakailanman
Habang tayo'y nabubuhay


~I offer this song to the Luisita Farmers whom I have never met since time immemorial. I can feel their pains and heartaches because I once worked in a farm and I can see how my grandparents struggle to gain good harvest and did their best to acquire the land and call it their own. I may not have knew the real score between the government and the farmers of that large land, but I just hope, all their toils will not be gone to waste.


*Photo [painting] credit: Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazo

~Merdolyn