Minaatay

This song is a funeral song not for the dead, but for the living who are too selfish and afraid to accept the universal meaning of life and death.

Minaatay

Kamatayon, angayng saulogon nga malipayon

kay natapos na ang mga pag-antus

kay nagsugod na ang bag-ong kinabuhi

Pero ikaw gahilak nga nag-ampo

kay nipanaw na ang minahal mo sa kinabuhi

Gimahal mo ba siya nga siya pa buhi?

*Nganong ikaw nga namatyan nagkahilas

Nganong ikaw nga namatyan nagkahudas

chorus:

Ayaw’g gamita ang patay

sa drama mo nga way angay

Ayaw’g gamita ang patay

sa isyu mo nga gi-atay

Kamatayon ug kinabuhi walay huwaton

Pero gapadaku ka sa imong importansya

Malinawon ba ang imong konsensya?

Kamatayon, angayng saulogon nga malipayon

Pero ikaw ma-ampoon, magul-anon

sa seremonya sa hakug mong relihiyon

rep. * & chorus

adlib

rep 1st verse as ending

—

note on the English translation of the title:

“Minatay” means corpse, but it can also mean to grieve badly. Adding an extra “a” in the middle is a wordplay joining “minatay” with “atay”(liver). Atay is also a swear word often said as “gi-atay”(sick in the liver). Literally, “Minaatay” means “Sick in the Liver Grieving” or just “Damn Mourning”.

Damn Mourning

Death should be observed joyfully

for the sufferings have ended

for a new life has begun

But you’re crying in your prayers

for your loved one has passed away

Did you love him/her while he/she was still alive?

*Why, since you’ve lost someone, have you become more obscene?

Why, since you’ve lost someone, have you become more Judas?

chorus:

Don’t use the dead in your lousy dramas

Don’t use the dead in your damn issues

Death and life waits for no one

But you’ve bloated up your self-importance

Is peace dwelling in your conscience?

Death should be observed joyfully

But you act prayerful, mournful

in the ceremony of your greedy religion

(photo: sulit.com.ph “…starting your business in the Philippines’ ‘Funeral Home Row’”)