TA FAN MAGOF TODOS

Thanks to the German Capuchin missionaries in Saipan, we have this one, old (1900s) Chamorro song about New Years.

New Years was not as big a celebration in olden Spain, and her colonies, as the world celebrates it today. But the German culture did celebrate it with a bit more attention and so it passed from the German missionaries to their flock in Saipan and Luta in the early 1900s.

The original German song is found in the video link at the end of this post. The Saipan version is actually a medley, a blending of two songs, as it does add a middle section taken from another song.

In the song, we thank God for the graces of the past year and we ask for continued grace and protection in the coming year. We also ask eternal rest on those who died in the past and on those who may die in the time ahead. This song, sung repeatedly in the Northern Marianas for New Year's, lead to the modern custom of lighting candles for each person who died in the year just passed.

LYRICS

Ta fan magof todos

(Let us all be happy)

mientras man lålå'la' hit.

(while we are still alive.)

Ta nå'e mit gråsias

(Let us give a thousand thanks)

i muna' fan huyong hit.

(to the one who created us.)

Esta måtto i nuebo

(The new year has already)

na såkkan ni para hita.

(come for us.)

Ta propone de nuebo

(Let us propose once again)

u ma arekla i ha'ani-ta.

(to rightly order our lives.)

Ta fan magof todos

(Let us all be happy)

mientras man lålå'la' hit.

(while we are still alive.)

Ta nå'e mit gråsias

(Let us give a thousand thanks)

i muna' fan huyong hit.

(to the one who created us.)

Jesus Yu'us-måme

(Jesus our God)

gi nuebo na såkkan

(in the new year)

gai'ase' nu hame,

(have mercy on us,)

apåtta i dåño.

(keep away all harm.)

Nå'e nu i deskånso

(Give rest)

i man gaige esta gi naftan

(to those already in the grave)

ya an guaha sea kåso måtai na såkkan.

(and to those who may die this year.)

Ta fan magof todos

(Let us all be happy)

mientras man lålå'la' hit.

(while we are still alive.)

Ta nå'e mit gråsias

(Let us give a thousand thanks)

i muna' fan huyong hit.

(to the one who created us.)

Fan adesea de nuebo

(Desire for each other again)

ginen i korason-miyo

(from your hearts)

"Felis na Åño Nuebo"

("Happy New Year")

todo i ha'anen-miyo.

(all the days of your life.)

Ta fan magof todos

(Let us all be happy)

mientras man lålå'la' hit.

(while we are still alive.)

Ta nå'e mit gråsias

(Let us give a thousand thanks)

i muna' fan huyong hit.

(to the one who created us.)

GERMAN ORIGINAL SONG