Awit ni Bobby

Bakit ka aalis
Bakit ka lilisan
Di mo ba naririnig
Ang daing ng bayan
Kayraming may sakit
Na di nalulunasan
Bakit ipagkakait
Ang iyong kaalaman
Bakit ka aalis
Bakit ka lilisan

Bakit ka pa maglalayag
Sa ibayong dagat
Dito ba'y walang katuparan
Ang iyong pangarap
Ang lupaing iyong kinagisnan
Humihiyaw sa hirap
Kapag ikaw ay umalis
Magnanaknak ang sugat

Huwag ka na sanang lumayo
Sugat ng bayan ay nagdurugo
Huwag ka na sanang umalis
Huwag ka nang lumisan

Kung dito man ngayo'y hindi mo makita
Ang hanap mong ginhawa
Alalahanin mong itong pagdurusa
Ay pansamantala
Alalahanin mong di ka nag-iisa
Magkarugtong ang ating hininga
Kinabukasan ay tiyak na gaganda
Sa tulong mo't sa tulong ng bawat isa

Huwag ka na sanang lumayo
Sugat ng bayan ay nagdurugo
Huwag ka na sanang umalis
Huwag ka nang lumisan
 

-- Jess Santiago

Bobby’s Song •

Why would you leave

Why must you go

Do you not hear

The people’s cry

Many suffer

From illness without hope

Why deny them

Your knowledge

Why would you leave

Why must you go  

Why must you sail

The wide ocean

Would you not find

Your dreams in your own land

The land of your birth

Screams in pain

The wound of suffering will suppurate

If you must leave

Oh, that you would not leave

The wound of the land bleeds

Oh, that you would not go

Please do not ever leave

If you would not find

Life’s comfort here at home

Remember this suffering

Will pass

Remember you are not alone

The breath of our lives are joined

Tomorrow’s beauty will be certain

With your help and the help of each of us

Oh, that you would not leave

The wound of the land bleeds

Oh, that you would not go

Please do not ever leave

(Translated by Marne L. Kilates)