An old custom among our grandparents' generation which has pretty much died out now is the composing of songs specifically for certain occasions. Someone's arrival or departure or anniversary or achievement was celebrated by a singer or group of singers telling the story in song.
In 1991, a priest in Santa Rita, Guam was leaving the parish for a new assignment in Saipan.
Angelina Camacho Anderson, at age 72, composed a kåntan agradesimiento (appreciation song) which she sang at the priest's farewell party at the parish. Here's how the song went. I will spell it my way.
1. Gi durånte i sumagå-mo na un setbe ham, i boniton che'cho'-mo man sen na'manman.
(During your time that you served us, your beautiful works were very wonderful.)
Mit beses yan mås in saluda hao in gofli'e' na påle'-måme un dingu ham.
(A thousand times and more we salute you, you are leaving us our beloved priest.)
2. I bonito na memorias ni un setbe Santa Rita man åmko' yan man hoben ti in fan maleffa.
(The beautiful memories of you serving in Santa Rita, the old and young we will never forget.)
Mit beses yan mås in saluda hao in gofli'e' na påle'-måme si Yu'us ma'åse'.
(A thousand times and more we salute you, thank you our beloved priest.)
ANGELINA CAMACHO ANDERSON
1919-1999
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