KÅNTAN GUMA'YU'US : I TINAITAI I SÅNTOS LISÅYO

 

Here is a much less well-known Chamorro hymn promoting the devotion of the Holy Rosary. October is the Month of the Rosary, but the prewar missionaries promoted the Rosary as a daily devotion, and not just for the dead. All parishes had techa (prayer leaders) who lead the praying of the Rosary by the people inside the church.

At Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Rita, this hymn is still sung by all the people before Mass.

LYRICS

I tinaitai i Såntos Lisåyo nina’ paopao i Guma’yu’us

(The prayer of the Holy Rosary brings fragrance to the Church)

Sa’ i Såntos Lisåyon Maria fanflorisan i Nanan Jesus.

(because the Holy Rosary of Mary is the flower garden of the Mother of Jesus.)

I asut mi puti’on na långet guiya kalan Lisåyon Maria

(The blue, many-starred heaven is like the Rosary of Mary)

Yan tinayuyut i anghet siha ni umålof na hu saonao yo’.

(and the prayer of the angel who beckons me to join in.)

I singkuenta na Åbe Maria lamlam ke i puti’on i langet

(The fifty Hail Marys are brighter than the stars of the sky)

Sa’ sumaonao i Rai i man ånghet yagin magof lumisåyo yo’.

(because the King of Angels joins in when I am happy to pray the Rosary.)

An ha huto’ si Yu’us gi langet i iså-ña taiguihe i kåpa

(When God unfolded his rainbow in the heavens like a cape)

Ha fanu’e i taotao san papa’ na Rai-ñiha yan na’siña gue’.

(He revealed to the people below that He was their King and was Almighty.)

An ha huto’ gi Sånta Iglesia i masåmai na isan Lisåyo

(When He unfolded in the Holy Church the beautiful rainbow of the Rosary)

Ha na’ tungo’ hit magin ayo na Saina-ta yan sen Tåta gue’.

(Through it He made us know that He is our Lord and true Father.)

(This next verse is sung on Mondays and Thurdays)

Singko siha i Rosan Minagof i Atkånghet yan i sinangån-ña

(Five are the Joyful Roses of the Archangel and his words)

Si San Juan yan i såntos Nanå-ña si Yu’us taotao giya Belen.

(Saint John and the holy Mother of God-made-man in Bethlehem.)

I ma inan i Bithen na Nåna ya i sen didok na piniti-ña

(The purification of the Virgin Mother and her deep sorrow)

Sa’ malingo si Yu’us lahi-ña as Jesus giya Jerusalen.

(because God her son was lost in Jerusalem.)

(This next verse is sung on Tuesdays and Fridays)

Singko siha i Rosan Pinite i tres oras gi uetton manaitai

(Five are the Sorrowful Roses of the three hours prayed in the garden)

I ma saolak na katna ha’ måtai i koronan ma ingen Yu’us.

(Scourged till near death, the hateful crowning of God.)

I tinaggam i Bithen Maria as Jesus i lahi-ña gi chalan

(The meeting of the Virgin Mary and her son Jesus on the road)

Yan i tai ase’ yan na’mahalang na finatai-ña gi kilu’us.

(And his cruel and sorrowful death on the cross.)

(This next verse is sung on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays)

Singko siha i Rosan Mina’lak lå’la’ ta’lo si Yu’us Lahi-ña

(Five are the Glorious Roses when God the Son rose again)

Humanao hulo’ minina’siña ya ha fatta na sen Yu’us gue’.

(He ascended full of power and revealed that He was truly God.)

I Espiritu Sånto tumunok måtai pao Yu’us i Nanå-ta

(The Holy Spirit descended and our Mother died a holy death)

Ya pine’lo gi langet Rainå-ta as Yu’us sa’ Nånan Yu’us gue’.

(and was places by God in heaven as our Queen because she is God’s Mother.)

(This is always the final verse)

Gai Lisåyo na Bithen Maria inangokko yan Rainan i tano’

(Our Lady of the Rosary, hope and Queen of the world)

Gi me’nå-mo i mangilisyåno man lisåyo yan in tina hao.

(Christians pray the Rosary before you and praise you.)

Nånan-måme, lina’la’, minames såggue’ ham hulo’ ni Lisayu-mo

(Our Mother, our life and sweetness, pull us up through your Rosary)

Gi echongñan i tronu-mo, in na’ hulo’ yan in guaiya hao.

(to the side of your throne, we exalt you and love you.)

NOTES

1. As with many translations, I don't give an exact version from one language to the next, because the translation will be awkward. But I retain the essential meaning of the original in the translation.

2. There are fifteen mysteries of the traditional Rosary, broken into three groups of five. The Joyful Mysteries are said on Mondays and Thursdays; the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesdays and Fridays; the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. 

3. NOTICE THE RHYMING scheme of the hymn. Not only does the song rhyme the ends of the 2nd and 4th line of each verse, the song also rhymes the end of one line with the middle of the next line. Take a look at this verse :