This
composition by Rizal which was originally written in Spanish, in general speaks
about how every Filipino is willing to work hard, or labor, for his country.
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| Hymn to Labor (Arranged from Chas. Derbyshire’s translation; lines in different order.) Words by Jose Rizal |
Hymn
to Labor was written in response to a request from Rizal’s comrades in Lipa,
Batangas, who then were in need of a hymn to sing during the ceremony in honor
of Lipa being declared a city in January 1888. More accurately, then, this song
is intended to praise the hard work and industry of the people of Lipa.
For the
Motherland in war,
For the
Motherland in peace,
Will the
Filipino keep watch,
He will live
until life will cease!
These
first four lines of verses comprise the chorus. It signifies that every
Filipino, in his patriotism, will keep a watchful yet loving eye on his country
with equal passion at wartime and in times of peace. There will be no desertion
especially during the more difficult times in the country’s history, even if it
means he pays for his loyalty with his life.
MEN:
Now the East is
glowing with light,
Go! To the field
to till the land,
For the labour
of man sustains
Fam'ly, home and
Motherland.
Hard the land
may turn to be,
Scorching the
rays of the sun above...
For the country,
wife and children
All will be easy
to our love.
The
first stanza is sung by the men. This is the first of four societal groups
identified in this hymn, which signifies that all members of society without
regard for gender or age, should uphold and honor their country.
For
the men, family and country are inspiration and motivation enough amidst exhausting
labor. Farming has long been the main occupation of men in the country
especially during its early years, and this verse gives a nod of approval to
farmers who wake before the sunrise to tend their land. They do it not for the
money, but for what the income can do to benefit the greater good: family,
home, and Motherland.
(Chorus)
WIVES:
Go to work with
spirits high,
For the wife
keeps home faithfully,
Inculcates love
in her children
For virtue,
knowledge and country.
When the evening
brings repose,
On returning joy
awaits you,
And if fate is
adverse, the wife,
Shall know the
task to continue.
The
role of a wife during the time of Rizal was plain and simple: she was the
steward of the home, the mother of the children. Modern thinking might dispense
premature reaction to this notion, however it only takes a few lines to see
that Rizal was, in fact, also a feminist, ahead of his time.
This
verse pays tribute to mothers who dedicate their lives to the rearing and
upbringing of their children, teaching them the right values and morals to
become upright citizens. Education and formation, after all, begin and end in
the home. In the last two lines, it is evident that, given the precarious
nature of life in a time when war is imminent, wives may lose their husbands
and so it is in their capable hands to carry out the business of men in the
context of home and family, should the men find themselves no longer able to do
their duty.
(Chorus)
MAIDENS :
Hail! Hail!
Praise to labour,
Of the country
wealth and vigor!
For it brow
serene's exalted,
It's her blood,
life, and ardor.
If some youth
would show his love
Labor his faith
will sustain :
Only a man who
struggles and works
Will his
offspring know to maintain.
The
third verse is sung by maidens, who salute to labor and encourage the young men
to give their lives to hard work and industry for the good of the nation. This
is supposed to be sung with joy and pride, signifying that no fair maiden wants
a lazy young man who sits and waits for nothing all the day long but instead
cheers for that youth full of valor and expresses her willingness to be that
youth’s wife on account of his spirit, not merely his looks.
(Chorus)
CHILDREN:
Teach, us ye the
laborious work
To pursue your
footsteps we wish,
For tomorrow
when country calls us
We may be able
your task to finish.
And on seeing us
the elders will say :
"Look,
they're worthy 'f their sires of yore!"
Incense does not
honor the dead
As does a son
with glory and valor.
It
is apparent in Filipino culture then and now, that children have high regard
for the approval of their elders. This verse underlines the importance of
keeping the culture and tradition that is handed down to them from the previous
generation, and that they, in future, will hand down to their own sons and
daughters. It also expresses the children’s wish to pursue the footsteps of
those that have gone before them, in preparation for when the time comes for
them to take charge, however premature and unexpected that time may be.
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