Deo Gratias: A Waray Christmas Carol

Since my Mom is in the country for the holidays and is staying at our hometown in Eastern Samar, I decided to spend Christmas there.  Fresh from the effects of the typhoon Yolanda that ravaged the eastern part of the country, the people in our hometown still manages to celebrate the season.  Caroling starts the same as the Midnight Mass.  The entire street will be filled with voices from carolers both young and old.  In our Barangay in Tabunan, each group would have the same song, although the tune may vary from group to group.  It's also the first time I have encountered a Christmas Carol, where the homeowner has singing parts.  I tried to write down the lyrics and translated it with the help of my Mom.


Deo Gracias amigo,

Thanks be to God friend

Kun sadang pasak-on niyo,

If you will let us in

Kun sadang kami mamuruko,

If you will please let us sit

Yad’ ‘in duduha katawo.

Here's two person

Kami yadi katiayon,

It us a couple

Nasarit iyo pasak-on,

If you will, please let us in

Bisan la dire pasak-on,

If you can't let us in

Didi la han iyo sirong.

We can stay at your shade

Response from the homeowner:

Hin-o ka ba, hin-o iton,

Who are you? Who is this?

Nga nagsasampit ha akon,

That's calling on me

Ano an tuyo mo dako,

What's your purpose here?

Nga imo titinguhaon?

What do you need?

The carolers will reply with this verse:

An si Jose nga bugto mo,

I'm Joseph your brother

Suok pa nga igpatod mo,

A close  relative of yours

An mahal nga esposa ko,

My loving wife

Suok pa, an himasuso.

Is in labor

The homeowner would answer with this:

Waray Jose nga bugto ko,

I don't have a brother named Joseph

Waray pobres igpatod ko,

I don't have a poor relative

Lunlon kami kapadian,

We're all men

Mga tulni hin kahadian.

Of noble blood

Response from the carolers:

Tungod la sa Diyos amigo,

It because of God my friend

An pagsarit han balay mo,

That brought us to your house

Han sirong la, han hagdan mo,

Just below your stairs is enough

Nga lukotan han hayop mo.

Where you keep your animals

Response from the homeowner:

Hala kadto iwas kamo,

Go now, go away

Paharayo han balay ko,

Go far from my house

Hala kamo, kadto iwas,

All of you, go away

Naglilipong, pakangiras.

You are getting on my nerves

Response from the carolers:

Pirit na kami mahapit,

We sorry but we have to impose

Hi Maria nasasakit,

Mary is in pain

Madali na an kaaga,

It's almost morning

An Mesiyas masirang na.

And the savior is about to be born

Response from the homeowner:

May kamalig nga bungkag na,

There's a worn out granary

Hunongan hin mga baka,

That's being used for the cows

Didto kamo pag-agwanta

You can stay there if you must

Kay kami didi suok na.

We're already full here

The carolers will end with this verse:

Por amor de Dios tagbalay,

God a Bless you our host

Malisensya kami anay,

We have to go for now

Dire niyo igkabudlay,

We hope you don't mind

An pagsarit nga mahinay.

Our short passing

Tagbalay makadi kami,

Our host, we have to go

Kami na la perdonahe,

Please excuse us

Nakangiras kami dinhi

For the disturbance cause

Han amon dinhi pag-agi.

Of our passing here

Here's a few verse sang by these little kids!