This past Saturday our evening practice group welcomed a new member, so we made him choose the song. He ended up choosing Manmenhalom by Daniel De Leon Guerrero, which is an energetic song conveying deep pride in being Chamorro. This one is on the slightly faster side, but everyone did such a great job when it was their turn to listen and transcribe the lyrics. This more recent recording from Dåndan Marianas is a really nice acoustic version, which makes it great for learners. So here are the Chamorro lyrics and and English translation for the song Manmenhalom by Daniel De Leon Guerrerro. Happy listening!

Ai maila’ ya ta na’klåru	Oh, come here and we will make it clear
Mangginen magi hit ai na manchamoru	Where we came from, oh the Chamorros
Mangginen mågi hit acho’ latte	We came from the latte stone
Sa’ ayu yu’ på’go na binadosu	Because that is why I am proud now
Sa’ Chamoru ai i hagå’-hu	Because oh, my blood is Chamorro
Si guella yan guello yu’ muna’taiguini	Grandma and grandpa are the ones who made me like this

Mangginen mågi ham manmenhalom	We came from wise people
Manmanguentos ham manggof tåddong	We speak very deeply (profoundly)
I mañainan-måmi este ham sumangåni	Our elders are the ones who told this to us
In tingo’ ha’ didide’ put i gualo’	We know a little about the farm (land)
Pineskan tåsi yan halom tåno’	Fishing in the ocean and hunting in the jungle
I hagå’-hu muna’binadodosu nu este	It is my blood that makes me proud of this

An manggaige ham gi halom tåno’	If/when we are in the jungle
Guaha (na) tres binådu siña in pino’	Sometimes we can kill three deer
Ti manma’å’ñao ham halu’u hålom tåsi	We are not afraid of the sharks in the ocean
Sa’ muntras manggaige ham manmepeska	Because while we are fishing
Put i famagu’on-måmi yan i familia	For our children and the family
Si guello yan guella ham este fuma’någue	Grandpa and grandma are the ones who taught this to us

Na mangginen mågi ham manmenhalom	That we came from wise people
Manmanguentos ham manggof tåddong	We speak very deeply (profoundly)
I mañainan-måmi este fuma’nå’gue	Our elders are the ones who taught this to us
In tingo’ ha’ didide’ put i gualo’	We know a little about the farm (land)
Pineskan tåsi yan halom tåno’	Fishing in the ocean and hunting in the jungle
I hagå’-hu muna’binadodosu nu este	It is my blood that makes me proud of this

An manggaige ham gi halom gualo’	When we are in the farm
Ya manhahami tenga yan manåmko’	And often we are together with the elders
Ayu na gof annok i respetu	That is why/when respect is really shown
Sa’ an håyi ha’ nai ti manosge	Because whoever does not obey
Pues siempre ha’ nai u magaluti	Then surely they will be hit with a stick
Pat makonne’ tåtten lånchu	Or will be taken to the back of the ranch
Ya mabålas gågu	And whipped with the (branch of the) ironwood tree

Sa’ mangginen mågi ham manmenhalom	Because we came from wise people
Manmanguentos ham manggof tåddong	We speak very deeply (profoundly)
I mañainan-måmi este fuma’nå’gue	Our elders are the ones who taught this to us
In tingo’ ha’ didide’ put i gualo’	We know a little about the farm (land)
Pineskan tåsi yan halom tåno’	Fishing in the ocean and hunting in the jungle
I hagå’-hu muna’binadodosu nu este	It is my blood that makes me proud of this

Ai i hagå’-hu muna’binadodosu nu este	Oh, it is my blood that makes me proud of this
I haga’ Chamoru muna’binadodosu nu este	Chamorro blood is what makes me proud of this