Here’s a song that our practice group listened to a while back. I remember hearing this song within my first few months of learning Chamorro, and at that time the only words I could really catch were “Saipan”, “Chamoru”, and “para’isu.” I’m happy to say that now I’m able to hear the lyrics and sing along to this one, and it has become another favorite. During my brief visit to Saipan last year, the island and its people really were as welcoming and lovely as the song says. We even met a Korean couple who were on their honeymoon in Saipan, and the first thing they talked about was everyone’s kindness. Bula guinaiya to Saipan 🙂
| Chamorro | English |
| Annai måtto yu’ Saipan yan i amigu-hu | When I arrived on Saipan with my friend |
| Mañienti yu’ na gaige yu’ gi tano’ Chamoru | I felt that I was in the land of the Chamorro |
| I respetu mås takhilo maseha hoben pat åmko’ | Respect is the highest, whether young or old |
| Bunitu na islan para’isu, bai fåttu mambisita ta’lo | Beautiful island of paradise, I will come to visit again |
| Kumuentus ham gi rediu, madandan i kantå-ku | We talked on the radio, my song was played |
| Pues sigi ham pumasehu, hu bisita i familiå-ku | Then we continued going around, I visited my family |
| Giya San Roke manhami bumoka guihi na puengi | In San Roke we were eating together that night |
| Saipan, Si Yu’os Ma’åse para todu i bidan-miyu | Saipan, thank-you for everything you have done |
| Saipan, maseha håyi un kuentusi | (in) Saipan, whomever you talk to |
| I lengguahen Chamoru ma usa sempri | Surely they will use the Chamorro language |
| Magof i kurason-hu todu i tiempo | My heart is happy all the time |
| Sa’ hågu ha’ na islan para’isu | Because you alone are the island of paradise |
| Saipan bai hu fåttu guatu ta’lo | Saipan I will arrive there again |
| Sa hågu guaiyayon na tåno’ Chamoru | Because you are the one that is the loveable land of the Chamorro |
| Saipan, sen gåtbu na flores yan trongku | Saipan, there very fine flowers and trees |
| Saipan, ti bai maleffa’ nu hågu | Saipan, I will not forget you |
| Saipan, maseha håyi un kuentusi | (in) Saipan, whomever you talk to |
| I lengguahen Chamoru ma usa sempri | Surely they will use the Chamorro language |
| Magof i kurason-hu todu i tiempo | My heart is happy all the time |
| Sa’ hågu ha’ na islan para’isu | Because you alone are the island of paradise |
| Sa’ hågu ha’ na islan para’isu | Because you alone are the island of paradise |
| Sa’ hågu ha’ na islan para’isu | Because you alone are the island of paradise |
Lengguahi-ta 