'Zamboanga' - English version of a Spanish-Filipino folk song

"No Te Vayas de Zamboanga"", or simply known as "Zamboanga", is a Zamboangueño Spanish folk song written by Juan Cuadrado, Sr., a Spaniard who decided to stay in Zamboanga after the Spanish soldiers left the country.

This song was used in a Zarzuela entitled "De Cavite A Zamboanga". In this Zarzuela, a Caviteña sings this song to her boyfriend who is going to Zamboanga. This is probably why there are versions wherein this song is titled No Te Vayas A Zamboanga. In fact, the English version of this song is translated from No Te Vayas A Zamboanga (Don't you go to far Zamboanga). This title however doesn't sit well among Zamboangueños, especially as the city's image is already tarnished by several bombings and some terrorist attacks in the past.

During the American period, the song was also translated into English. There are two English variants of the song. The one in this video is relatively more well-known one which is a closer translation from the original lyrics. The other more infamous English version, starting with the line "The Monkeys Have no Tails in Zamboanga", was sung by American soldiers to mock the Filipinos, in line with the racial biases of the time.

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SOURCES

Images:

[renatojose]

natandaan kopa ito yong pinakakanta samin ng teacher namin bago ksmi mag simula ng klase grade 6 ako non .sarap valikan yong mga gantong kanta para kong bumalik yong kabaataan ko. Salamat sa mga magagaling nating artist mabuhay singer pala kumanta nito .

[marlocortes]

Naalala ko ito kinakanta ng lola ko pag pinapatulog ako 😭😭😭 I miss u mamay

[duedate]

I know this since mỳ elementary. I am now 63 yo… and come to remember when my first time to visit pagadian and ipil…❤️🙏🏼❤️

[jeanmerquillo]

Eto kinakanta palagi ng Lola ko nung nasa Zamboanga city pa ako. I miss you na Lola 🥺

[wilmaadalla]

Our mother always sings while getting her grand children to sleep. I missed her so much 😭

[saddamabdusalimgadjali]

Wow, Gracias kuntodo na hente na Zamboanga City, amigos amigas.🙂❤👑☝

[lucianobuton]

Thanks for letting us to hear
this beautiful song.

[PercivalOropesa]

Nostalgia de canciones 1960 pinapakanta samin Ito Ng elementaria kami.

[ZNeptune]

<<intro>>

<<refrain>>
Don't you go, Oh don't you go to far Zamboanga
where you may forget your darling faraway.

<<pre-chorus>>
Don't you go, Oh dont you go for if you leave me... But how can I without you stay?

<<chorus>>
O weep not, my dear Paloma
O weep not, for I'll return
O weep not, my little darling
I shall remember and i shall yearn

<<bridge>>
With feather of loyal dove, dear, with red ink of iron blood,
I'll write you my burning love, dear.
My own Paloma, so true and good!



<<interlude>>



<<refrain>>
Don't you go, Oh dont you go to far Zamboanga
Where you may forget your darling faraway.

<<pre-chorus>>
Don't you go, Oh don't you go for if you leave me... But how can I without you stay?

<<chorus>>
O weep not, my dear Paloma
O weep not for I'll return
O weep not, my little darling
I shall remember and I shall yearn

<<bridge>>
With feather of loyal dove, dear, with red ink of iron blood,
I'll write you my burning love, dear.
My own Paloma, so true and good!

<<coda>>
MY OWN PALOMA, SO TRUE AND GOOD!

Tell me if I got anything wrong kasi hindi talaga ako marunong mag lyrics 😭

[Kur]

can you add the whole lyrics in the description po? we have an assignment sa mapeh that we have to sing and record this

[thesimp]

How about Zamboanga Hermosa, current hymn of Zamboanga City

[jasonalpay]

"With red ink of my warm blood."

[jamesvelina]

May Filipino version po ba ito? Salamat po.

[karljurgenalcantara]

Zamboanga - Jalosjos
"My dear Paloma" - TVJ

💀 💀💀

[Otrebor]

No tiene la misma sentimiento que en español.

[bruhz_]

You should've used the flag of England.