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