What Are the Lyrics of Pinoy Folk Songs?

Like the folk songs of many countries, the lyrics of Pinoy folk songs were passed down through the generations by one person teaching the lyrics to another. They were not usually written down.

At different times throughout recent history, Philippine educators and musicians have worked together to attempt to document some of the lyrics; but, in general, the projects were short-lived and the goals of documenting these largely rural-based songs were never achieved.

Here are the lyrics of some of the more popular Pinoy folk songs:

Lawiswis Kawayan

Sabi ng binata, Halina oh! Hirang Magpasyal tayo as Lawiswis kawayan Pugad ng pag-ibig at kaligayahan Ang mga puso ay pilit nang magmamahalan sabi ng binata

Ang dalaga naman ay ibig pang umayaw, sasabihin pa kay inang ng malaman Binata’y nagtampo at ang wika Ikaw pala’y ganyan Akala ko’y tapat at ako’y minamahal Ang dahal ang dalaga naman ay biglang umiyak Luha ay tumulo sa dibdib pumatol binata’y naawa, lumuhod kaagad Nagmamakaamo at humingi ng patawad. Ang dawad.

Inday sa balitaw Inday, Inday sa balitaw Kahoy nakahapay, sandok nakasuksok syansing nabaluktot Palayok na nakataob Sinigang na matabang kulang sa sampalok

Atin Cu Pong Singsing

Atin cu pong singsing Metung yang timapukan Amma ke iti King, indung, ibatan sangkan keng nininup King me tung a kaban Mewala ya iti ekukamalayan

King sukat ning lub ku Susukdul king banwa Pikurus kung gagimat babo ning lamesa Ninumang manakit King singsing kung mana Malulung pusuku Manginuya key a

Bahay Kubo

Bahay kubo, kahit munti Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari. Singkamas at talong, sigadilyas at mani Sitaw, bataw, patani. Kundol, patola, upo’t kalabasa At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa, sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya sa paligid-ligid ay puro linga.

Manag Biday

Manang Biday, ilukat mo man Ta bentanan ikalumbaban Ta kitaec ta kinayawan ay matayakan no din accaasyan A sino ka nga aglabas-laabs Toy jardin ko pagay-ayamak Ammon ngarud a balasangak Sabang ti liryo di pay pagukrad

ParuParong Bukid

Paruparong bukid na lilipad-lipad Sa gitna ng daan papagapagaspas Isang bara ang tapis Isang dangkal ang manggas Ang sayang de kola Isang piyesa ang sayad

May payneta pa siya — uy! May suklay pa mandin — uy! Nagwas de-ohetes ang palalabasin Haharap sa altar at mananalamin At saka lalakad na pakendeng-kendeng.

Pamulinawen

Pamulinawen pusoc inding amman Toy umasasog agrayo ta sadian Panunutan man di ca pagintulungan Toy agayat agrayo ta sadian Itdem canian calipatan Ti nasudi unay a nagan Uray sa di ti ayan Lugar sadi no man Aw-awagak ti aysarday Ti nagaan mo kasasamitan No malagip ka Pusoc toy mabang aran

Handog

Parang kailan lang Ang mga pangarap ko'y kay hirap abutin Dahil sa inyo Napunta ako sa aking nais marating Nais ko kayong pasalamatan Kahit man lamang isang awitin Parang kailan lang Halos ako ay magpalimos sa lansangan Dahil sa inyo Ang aking tiyan at ang bulsa'y nagkalaman Kaya't itong awiting aking inaawit Nais ko'y kayo ang handugan Tatanda at lilipas din ako Ngunit mayro'ng awiting Iiwanan sa inyong alaala Dahil minsan, tayo'y nagkasama Parang kailan lang Ang mga awitin ko ay ayaw pakinggan Dahil sa inyo Narinig ang isip ko at naintindihan Dahil dito'y ibig ko kayong ituring Na matalik kong kaibigan Tatanda at lilipas din ako Ngunit mayro'ng awiting Iiwanan sa inyong alaala Dahil minsan, tayo'y nagkasama Tatanda at lilipas din ako Ngunit mayro'ng awiting Iiwanan sa inyong alaala Dahil minsan, tayo'y nagkasama

Tatanda at lilipas din ako Ngunit mayro'ng awiting Iiwanan sa inyong alaala Dahil minsan, tayo'y nagkasama

Enjoy perusing through these various lyrics to some of the Pinoy folk music!

About Pinoy Folk Music

History and Significance

Like other folk music, Pinoy folk music refers to songs that are often sung and played by people living in rural areas. Oftentimes, particularly in this culture, the folk songs are related to nature and the history of the land. Folk music is popular in many different cultures, but what does "Pinoy" mean?

This word comes from taking the last four letters of the word "Filipino" and adding the "y" suffix from the Tagalog language. The term originated in the 1920s when Filipinos started coming to the United States in larger numbers. At first, the term was considered derogatory by some, but now is now embraced as many as a symbol of their culture.

Understanding the Lyrics of Pinoy Folk Music

If you do not speak the language, how can you understand these Phillipine folk songs? You may want to start by locating and using an online Tagalog translator. Your research may not be easy when translating an entire song. Sentences do not always translate directly, and you may not be able to find every single word in one shot. Therefore, plan to spend a lot of time doing the translation if you rely on an online translator. You may want to consider asked for translation help from a native-speaking Filipino.