In our evening practice group, I’ve been pushing Jay to include more songs from Daniel DeLeon Guerrero because his use of the language is fun and deep, the storytelling is always enjoyable, and I’m always guaranteed to pick up new words or phrases. I can’t count the number of times I learn a new word (to me) in Chamorro, only for Jay to say, “Oh, I’ve heard that word used in a song.” And it’s usually a song by Daniel DeLeon Guerrero! So here are Chamorro lyrics and an English translation for the song “Åchu’ Natibu” by Daniel DeLeon Guerrero, which is a song about Åchu’ Fouha that includes Chaifi (god of fire). Hope you enjoy it!
| Chamoru | English |
|---|---|
| Ai fanmatåchong ya en hingok, | Oh, all of you sit down and you will hear |
| Esti på’go na estoria | this story now |
| Put un åcho’ gi kånton tåsi, | about a rock on the beach |
| Låsso’ di Fuha i na’ån-ña | it’s name is Låsso’ di Fouha |
| Ai masåsångan na ginen esti | Oh it is said that from this |
| I natibus na manmafañågu | the natives were born |
| Ginen esti ai na åcho’ na manhuyong hit ni Chamoru | From this rock that we who are the Chamorros came forth |
| I tutuhon-ña esti na estoria | This story’s beginning |
| Put si Chaifi, yu’osan guåfi | is about Chaifi, the god of fire |
| Duru mama’tinas mannatibu, | He kept making natives |
| Sasalåguan guihi na ha’åni | in Hell that day |
| Lao ha na’sen maipe i guafi, | But he made the fire extremely hot |
| ya annai påkpak i hetno | and when the oven exploded |
| Ai manggupu guihi na diha i espiritu | Oh on that day a spirit flew |
| Ya ayu na manmalågu | and that was when it ran (away) |
| Låsso’ di Fuha, åcho’ mannatibu, | Låsso’ di Fouha, rock of the natives |
| Ai bula esta, Fuha, manmaleffa ni estoriå-mu | Oh, already many have forgotton your story, Fouha |
| Låsso’ di Fuha, åcho’ antigu, | Låsso’ di Fouha, ancient rock |
| Ai ti bei in fanmaleffa, Fuha, ni famagu’on-mu | We will not forget, Fouha, those who are your children |
| Ai lalålo’ ai si Chaifi, | Oh Chaifi was so angry |
| Ya duru guihi na diha ha espiha | and on that day he kept searching |
| Ha sodda’ un påtgon natibu kånton tasi, | He found a native child on the beach |
| Gumagåndo na maisa | who was playing by himself |
| Ai lao antes di u ginacha’, | Oh but before he could be caught |
| Esti ha’ masåsångan: | this is what is said: |
| Ha goppe’ hållom i patgon hållom tåsi | The child jumped into the ocean |
| Ya ayu na mama’guihan | and that is where he turned into a fish |
| Ai pues lalålo’ ai si Chaifi, | Oh then Chaifi was so angry |
| Ya ha na’maipe (i) hånom tasi på’go | and he made the ocean water hot |
| Mama’hilitai i patgon | the child turned into a monitor lizard |
| Ya malågu para (i) hålom tåno | and ran to the jungle |
| Ai pues ha songgi si Chaifi i chaguan siha, | Oh then Chaifi burned the grass |
| Lao mama’paluma ya gumupu | But he turned into a bird and flew |
| Ai gumupu i patgon påpa’ kånton tåsi | Oh the child flew down to the beach |
| Ya ayu na mama’åcho’ | And that is where he turned into a rock |
| Låsso’ di Fuha, åcho’ mannatibu, | Låsso’ di Fouha, rock of the natives |
| Ai bula esta manmaleffa, Fuha, nu esti na estoriå-mu | Oh, already many have forgotton your story, Fouha |
| Låsso’ di Fuha, åcho’ mannatibu, | Låsso’ di Fouha, ancient rock |
| Espesiåt esti na estoria para todus manhobensitu | This story is special for all the young people |
| Espesiåt esti na estoria para hami manhobensitu | This story is special for all of us young people |
Lengguahi-ta 