As I continue making my way through our growing backlog of songs, I wanted to share one that our group listened to and transcribed back in March. This song, written and performed by Daniel De Leon Guerrero, is a beautiful tribute to the Marianas, and through its lyrics, we’re reminded of the deep love and pride that many feel for these islands. In this post, you’ll find Chamorro lyrics and an English translation for the song Kao Guaha Na Un Bisita by Daniel De Leon Guerrero. Happy listening!

Kao guaha na un chagi bumisita esti siha na isla?	Have you tried to visit these islands?
Islan Saipan, Tininian, Luta, yan Guam ni manggaige Marianas	The island of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Guam that are in the Marianas

Ai sen bunitu i islan-måmi, sen bunitu yan gåtbu	Oh our islands are very beautiful, very beautiful and sublime
Kulang mohon ayu i diamånti gi tasi, annai manggaigi i manChamoru	It’s as if it’s a diamond in the sea, where the Chamorros are

Ai ayu ham na manmafañågu, ayu ham lokkue’ na bain fanmåtai	That is where we were born, and that’s also where we will die
Ya kucha’1 bai in fanmahåfot pa’pa’ sabåna pat kåntun unai	Whether we’ll be buried under the mountain or at the edge of the sand

Ai gof bunitu i islan-måmi, sen bunitu yan gåtbu	Oh our islands are very beautiful, very beautiful and sublime
Kulang ayu i mohon diamånti gi tasi, annai manggaigi i manChamoru	Like a diamond in the ocean, where the Chamorros are

Bula tåno’ esta hu fattoigui, bula tåno’ lini’e’-hu	There’s many lands I’ve visited, many that I have seen
Lao tåya’ entri siha mås guinaiya-ku	But amongst those, there is none that my love is more for

Na ayu i tano’-måmi ni manggaigi kånton tåsi	(than) our lands, which are next to the ocean
Islan Saipan, Tinian, Luta, yan Guam i Chamoru annai manggaigi	The Island of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam, where the Chamorros are

Ai ayu yu’ na mafañågu, ayu guatu na bai hu måtai	Oh that’s where I was born, that’s where I will die
Ya kucha’ bai mahåfot pa’pa’ sabåna pat kåntun unai	And whether I’m buried down/under the mountain or at the edge of the sand

Sa’ sen bunitu i islan-måmi, sen bunitu ai yan gåtbu	Because our islands are very beautiful, very beautiful and sublime
Islan Saipan, Tinian, Luta, yan Guam annai manggaigi ham ni natibu	The island of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam, where we the natives are

Pues guaha na un chagi bumisita esti siha na isla	Well have you every tried to visit these islands?
Islan Saipan, Tinian, Luta, yan Guam, i manggaigi Mariånas	The Island of Saipan, Tinian, Rota and Guam, the ones that are in the Marianas
Ai sen bunitu i islan-måmi, sen bunitu ai yan gåtbu	Oh our islands are very beautiful, very beautiful oh and sublime
Kulan ayu i diamånti entalo’ tasi, annai manggaigi ham ni manchamoru	Like that diamond in the middle of the sea, where we, the Chamorros, are
Kulan ayu i diamånti entalo’ tasi, annai manggaigi i manchamoru	Like that diamond in the middle of the sea, where the Chamorros are
Islan Saipan, Tinian, Luta, yan Guam, i islas siha ni manggåtbu	The islands of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam, the islands which are sublime
(cha-cha-cha!)	(cha-cha-cha!)

Language Notes

1. kucha’: This is a shortened form of the word achok ha’ / achokka’ / achukka’, which means “even though, although.” ↩︎