Words and Music by Bong Ramilo, 1985, Baguio

Magandang umaga, Ka Ramon (Good morning, Ka Ramon)
Madilim pa’y pabukid ka na (its still dark, yet your farm bound already)
Ikaw ba’y sapat na ang tulog (have you had enough sleep)
Sa magdamag na maginaw, Ka Ramon (through the cold night, Ka Ramon)

Magandang umaga rin, anak (Good morning, child)
Pagod ma’y kailangang bumangon ng maaga’t (though im tired, I need to rise early)
Lupa ay naghihintay at sabik (the land is waiting, anxious)
Sa araro’t kalabaw, ay anak (for the beast and plow, my child)

Ang pawis at luha ay nagsasama (sweat and tears blend)
Sa pagbungkal ng lupang di kanya (in furrowing the land, not his own)
At sa tag-ani’y babahagian siya (come harvest time, awaiting his share)
Kahit na katiting, gagawan ng paraan (no matter how small, will make ends meet)
Nang magkasya

Magandang tanghali, Ka Ramon (Its now midday Ka Ramon)
Kay init na’y patuloy ka pa (you plod on through the sweltering heat)
Ikaw ba’y sapat na’ng pagkabusog (have you had your fill)
Sa ilang subo ng bahaw, Ka Ramon (from just a few mouthfuls of rice)

Magandang tanghali rin, anak (Good day, child)
Gutom ma’y kailangang umahon sa pahinga’t (though im hungry, I need to end my rest)
Lupa ay naghihintay ng dilig (the land is waiting for water)
At sa ulan ay uhaw, ay anak (thirsty for rain, child)

Ang pawis at luha ay nagsasama (sweat and tears blend)
Sa pagbungkal ng lupang di kanya (in furrowing the land, not his own)
Sa kanyang parte’y hindi na makaasa (he can no longer rely on his share)
Tiyak na kulang sa pambayad pa lamang ng utang (that is not enough even  to pay off debts)

Magandang gabi, Ka Ramon (Good night Ka Ramon)
Padilim na’y nasa bukid ka pa (night is falling and you’re still there in the fields)
Ikaw ba’y di uuwi at paubos na ngayon (are you not going home as the light is fading fast, Ka Ramon)
Ang ilaw, Ka Ramon

Magandang gabi sa ‘yo, anak (Good night, Child)
Hapo ma’y kailangang tumuon sa araro’t (my body is dead tired but my plow needs me)
Lupa ay maghihintay ng punla (the land is waiting to be planted seeds. My child)
Sa susunod na araw, ay anak

Ang pawis at dugo ay nagsasama (sweat and blood blend together)
Sa pagbubungkal ng lupang di kanya(in furrowing the land, not his own)
Bunga ng lakas, inaagaw ng iba (the fruits of his labor, stolen by others)
Ba’t di ka bumangon, umahon sa hirap (rise up and overcome the hardship)

Ba’t di mo ituon ang lakas sa paglikha (muster your strength to create)

Ng malayang bukas, Ka Ramon (a future that is free, Ka Ramon)

 

* Bong Ramilo is a Filipino-Australian musician based in Darwin, Australia. Bong is the recipient of the 2018 Australia Council Ros Bower Award for Community Arts and Cultural Development. He was part of the people’s theatre movement and wrote songs for the democracy movement during the Marcos dictatorship before migrating to Australia in 1986; he has worked with Filipino and other communities across Australia as a community-based artist since then. Bong is a member of the Asian Movement for People’s Music.

English translation: J. Purugganan