KÅNTA : I SAINA-TA UN BINENDISE

DAVID PETER

One of my favorite singers of Marianas music

A song of blessing for someone leaving home. This happens a lot in the Marianas. People leave for the military. People leave for work in the US. Some come back; many never do.

Si nanå-mo un inecha (1) bendision-mo (2)
(May your mother pour your blessing on you)

masea måno hao guato.
(wherever you may go.)

I Saina-ta un binendise gi karerå-mo.
(The Lord bless you on your journey.)

Karerå-mo ti u chågo';
(May your journey not be far;)

fottunå-mo siempre un sodda'.
(may you surely find your fortune.)

I Saina-ta un binendise gi karerå-mo.
(The Lord bless you on your journey.)

I karerå-mo i atdao u inina;
(May the sun illumine your path;)

kåten påharo siha gi aire;
(the cry of the birds in the air;)

freskon månglo' siempre un guinaife
(a cool breeze blow on you)

masea måno hao guato.
(wherever you may go.)

Todo gåtbo siempre guinifi-mo;
(May your dream surely be all beautiful;)

tåya' siempre parehu-ña.
(surely it will have no equal.)

I Saina-ta un binendise gi karerå-mo.
(The Lord bless you on your journey.)

NOTES

1) Echa. Comes from the Spanish word echar, meaning "to chase out, fire from work" but also "to pour out." So "echa bendision" means "to pour out a blessing."

2) The traditional expression is "Si nanå-mo un inecha bendision-ña." "Her blessing," because she is pouring on you a blessing from her.