How many islands in the Mariana Islands have you visited? For most of my life I had only ever visited Guam, but last year I was fortunate to also visit Saipan and Tinian for the first time. I’m not much of a traveler because I prefer staying home, but if I ever get the opportunity to see the rest of the northern islands I will take the chance. Until then, I will enjoy the stories of others 🙂 Here are some Chamorro lyrics and an English translation for the song “Anatåhån” by Kelvin Duenas, which our study group listened to in July. Enjoy!
| Chamoru | English |
|---|---|
| Annai manma’udai ham gi Calvo Express | When we rode on Calvo Express |
| Ai para kåttan, Anatåhån (yeahhh) | Oh, to the north, Anatåhån (yeahhh) |
| Sa’ para bai fanpeska yan manmamaki chiba | Because we were going to fish and shoot goats |
| Ai gi kattan, ai kåttan Anatåhån (yeahhh) | Oh in the north, oh the north, Anatåhan |
| Ai åntes di bai fanmåttu guatu | Oh before we arrived there |
| In sedda’ dångkulun katdumin kacho’ | We found a big school of tuna |
| In tåne’ñaihon ham åntes di homhom gi katdumin | We were busy for a while in the school of fish before dark |
| Gi kåttan, Anatåhån (yeahhh) | In the north, Anatåhån (yeahhh) |
| [dåndån] | [music] |
| Matula’noche ham gi hilo’ botti | We were all night on top of the boat |
| Sigi manestoria ya sigi ham mañålek | We kept telling stories and laughing |
| In pipino’ ora para u chaddek manana gi hilo’ botti | We were killing time on top of the boat so that daylight / morning will arrive fast |
| Ai hunggan gi hilo’ botti, yeahhhh | Oh yes on top of the boat, yeahhh |
| Mannunuk ham nai gi Bentåna | We got down at Bentåna |
| Ayu na lugåt di ma fa’na’an-ña | That place that was named (that) |
| In feddos hulo’ i didok na okso’ | We climbed up the steep hill |
| Anatåhån, ai kåttan, Anatåhån, yeahhhh | Anatåhån, oh the north, Anatåhån, yeahhhh |
| [dåndån] | [music] |
| Ya ni ngai’an na bai hu maleffa’ | And I will never forget |
| Man bunitu na tåno’ siha i mansankåttan na isla | The northern islands are beautiful lands |
| Ai gos riku, sa’ bula nai guinahån-ña | Oh so rich, because it’s full of wealth |
| Ti bai maleffa’, ai hunggan ti bai maleffa’, yeahhhh | I will not forget, oh yes I will not forget, yeahhhh |
| Ya ni ngai’an na bai hu maleffa’ | And I will never forget |
| Man bunitu na tåno’ siha i mansankåttan na isla | The northern islands are beautiful lands |
| Ai gos riku, sa’ bula nai guinahan-ña | Oh so rich, because it’s full of wealth |
| Ti bai maleffa’, ai hunggan ti bai maleffa’, yeahhhh | I will not forget, oh yes I will not forget, yeahhhh |
| Ti bai maleffa’, ai hunggan ti bai maleffa’, yeahhhh | I will not forget, oh yes I will not forget, yeahhhh |
| Ti bai maleffa’, ai hunggan ti bai maleffa’, yeahhhh | I will not forget, oh yes I will not forget, yeahhhh |
Lengguahi-ta 