Hymn to Labor
(Written expressly for the exercises celebrating the erection of the pueblo of Lipa, Batangas, into a villa, but received too late to be used on that occasion.)—Translation by Charles Derbyshire.
Men:
Now the east with light is reddening,
And to our fields and tasks we fare;
By the toil of man sustaining
Life and home and country there.
Though the earth be hard and stubborn,
And the sun unpitying glow,
For our country and our homes
Love an easy way will show.
Chorus:
For his country in peace,
For his country in war,
Let the Filipino work,
Let him live, let him die.
Matrons:
Go then joyous to your labor,
While the wife awaits you here;
With the children learning from her
To hold truth and country dear.
When night brings you weary homeward
May peace and joy await you there;
But if fate unkindly frown,
She your stubborn task will share.
Chorus:
For his country in peace,
For his country in war,
Let the Filipino work,
Let him live, let him die.
Maidens:
Hail to labor! Blessed be it,
For it brings our country wealth;
May we ever hold it sacred,—
’Tis our country’s life and health!
If the youth would win our favor
By his work his faith be shown;
Only he who toils and struggles
Will support and keep his own.
Chorus:
For his country in peace,
For his country in war,
Let the Filipino work,
Let him live, let him die.
Boys:
Show us then the way to labor,—
The road you ope to guide our feet;
So that when our country calls us,
We your task may then complete,
And the old men then will bless us,
Saying: “They are worthy of their sires;
For the dead are honored most
By sons whom true worth inspires.”
Chorus:
For his country in peace,
For his country in war,
Let the Filipino work,
Let him live, let him die.