The Song of Maria Clara
by Dr. José Rizal
(English version of “Canto de Maria Clara”)
Sweet the hours in the native country,
where friendly shines the sun above!
Life is the breeze that sweeps the meadows;
tranquil is death; most tender, love.
Warm kisses on the lips are playing
as we awake to mother’s face:
the arms are seeking to embrace her,
the eyes are smiling as they gaze.
How sweet to die for the native country,
where friendly shines the sun above!
Death is the breeze for him who has
no country, no mother, and no love!
(Translated into English by Nick Joaquin)
Source: The Complete Poems and Plays of José Rizal: Translated by Nick Joaquin. Manila: Far Eastern University, 1976, p. 131.
See also the original Spanish version (Canto de Maria Clara) and Tagalog version (Ang Awit ni Maria Clara) of this Philippine song by Dr. José Rizal.
