Monday, June 25, 2012

Hymn to Labor by Jose Protacio Rizal

Now the East with the light is reddening
To our fields and task we fare;
By our faithful work sustaining
Life and home and country there.

Though the Earth be hard and stubborn,
And the sun unpitying glow,
For our country and children,
Love and easy way will show.

Chorus:
“Our country forever!”
 May this our cry.
“For thy sake to live:”

“For thy sake to die.”
 Go then joyous to your labor,
While the wife awaits you here,
With the children from her learning
To hold truth and country dear

When night bring you weary homeward,
Peace and joy will banish care;
But if fate unkindly treats you,
Love your dreary task will share.

Chorus:
Hail to labor! Blessed 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 this world should faith be shown:
Only he who toils and struggles
Will support and keep his own

Show me then the way to labor,
Guide our careless, wandering feet,
So that when our country needs us
We your work may complete.

And the old men will call us
Children worthy of their sire,
For the dead are honoured chiefly
By their sons when worth inspires

“For thy sake to live”

“For thy sake to die”

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