We’re finally feeling the change of the seasons here in the Pacific Northwest, as summer transitions to fall. For the first time in almost a decade, the change of seasons is also accompanied by a change of scene because I’m moving to a new city! So it has been quite busy the last 2 weeks, but I’m almost done with the move and can start settling in. As Jay and I pack and unpack things, we usually put on a Chamorro music playlist, and this song has been a recent favorite of mine. It also seems fitting as we approach the beginning of October. So here are some Chamorro lyrics and an English translation for the song “Tronkon Nunu” by Kelvin Duenas that our study group did a few weeks back. Listen and enjoy!
| Chamoru | English |
|---|---|
| Annai eståba yu’ gi halom tano’, | When I was in the jungle |
| Manli’e yu’ figuran taotao | I saw a person’s figure |
| Ha ågang huyong i na’ån-hu | He/she called out my name |
| Ya ilek-ña, “Hu tungo’ ha’ ginen manu hao” | And he/she said, “I already know where you are from” |
| Sumen manengheng gotpe i manglo (i manglo) | The wind suddenly became very cold (the wind) |
| Ya esta yu’ ha na’fanfugo (fanfugo) | And it already made me have goosebumps |
| Pues ha pacha’ i apagå-hu | Then he/she touched my shoulder |
| Ya esti ha sangåni yu’: | And this is what he/she said to me: |
| Ilek-ña, “Mungnga mapacha’ i tronku, tronkun nunu | He/she said, “Don’t touch the tree, the banyan tree” |
| Mungnga, mungnga mapacha’ i tronku | Don’t, don’t touch the tree |
| Sa’ esti mågi nai måtai yu’ | Because this here is where I died |
| Esti mågi nai måtai yu’ ” | This here is where I died |
| [dåndån] | [music] |
| Hu bira yu’ ya ilek-hu, “Håyi hao?” | I turned and I said, “Who are you?” |
| Ilek-ña “Guahu i mo’na na taotao | He/she said, “I am the one who is the person from before |
| Esti mågi i lugåt-hu” | This here is my place” |
| Pues ha sangåni yu’ nai ta’lu: | Then he/she said to me again: |
| Ilek-ña, “Mungnga mapacha’ i tronku, tronkun nunu | He/she said, “Don’t touch the tree, the banyan tree |
| Mungnga, mungnga mapacha’ i tronku | Don’t, don’t touch the tree |
| Sa’ esti mågi nai måtai yu’ | Because this here is where I died |
| Esti mågi nai måtai yu’ ” | This here is where I died” |
| [dåndån] | [music] |
| Ilek-ña, “Mungnga mapacha’ i tronku, tronkun nunu | He/she said, “Don’t touch the tree, the banyan tree |
| Mungnga, mungnga mapacha’ i tronku | Don’t, don’t touch the tree |
| Sa’ esti mågi nai måtai yu’ | Because this here is where I died |
| Esti mågi nai måtai yu’ ” | This here is where I died” |
Lengguahi-ta 