Monday, January 30, 2012

"Indak" (Dance) by Up Dharma Down (English Interpretation)

I've Googled the lyrics of the song with only the intention of getting deeper into it, and I've noticed there were already translations. The sight of many translations disheartened me quite a bit.

I wish to write my own translation some time in the future, when the "feeling is right", when the song "runs through my veins", and on that time that my heart is in "full communion with the song". To be honest, right now, those aren't the case. But, little by little, I think it's getting less and less scripted that I'm telling myself to write my own english "interpretation" (and I refuse to use "translation") of the song.

So, enough for my introduction (aka "rant"). After the first song I wrote an english "interpretation" of (Tadhana by, of course, my beloved Up Dharma Down), I "fell in love"with this song. It's fresh, it's new, it's still alive. "Tadhana" is still nice, but this is just the "song of the moment" for me.

So, here goes my interpretation of the song in english:

Tatakbo, gagalaw
(Tripping, swaying)
Mag-iisip kung dapat bang bumitaw
(Wondering if I should let go of my hands)
Kulang na lang atakihin
(The only thing left [that still hasn't happened] is my heart failing [me])
Ang pag-hinga’y nabibitin
([And] as my breathing skips)

Ang dahilan, alam mo na
(The reason [why], that you [already] know)
Kahit ano pang sabihin nila
(Despite whatever that they say)
Tayong dalawa lamang ang makakaalam
(Only the two of us will know [about it])
Ngunit ako ngayo’y naguguluhan
(But right now I'm feeling so confused)

Makikinig ba 'ko sa 'king isip na dati pa namang magulo?
(Will I listen to my mind that has since been a mess)
O iindak na lamang sa tibok ng puso mo
(Or will I just dance to the beat of your heart)
At aasahan ko na lamang ang hindi mo aapakan ang aking mga paa
(And I will only hope that you won't just trip [or step] on my [delicate] feet)
Pipikit na lamang at mag-sasayaw habang nanonood siya…
(I'll just close my eyes and I will dance while [in one corner] he'll watch)

Paalis at babalik
(I am going, and I'll come back)
May baong yakap at suklian ng halik
([Bearing] with me hugs and [an] exchange of kisses)
Mag-papaalam at nag-sisisi
(I'll say goodbye, and [as I am] regretting it)
Habang papiglas ka ako sayo ay tatabi
(While you [try to] resist [me], beside you I will sit)

Tayong dalawa lamang ang nakakaalam ngunit hindi na matanto
(It's only the two of us who know [about it] but [now] I can't figure out [anymore])
Kung sino nga ba ang pag-bibigyan ko
(Who it is that I should [keep or] have around)
Makikinig nga ba sa isipan na alam ang wasto
(Should [or will] I just listen to my mind that knows what is right)
Ngunit pipigilan ng pag-ibig niya na totoo
(But dissuaded by his love that [I know] is true)

Iindak na lamang ba sa tibok ng puso mo
(Will I just dance to the beat of your heart)
At aasahan kong hindi mo lamang aapakan ang aking mga paa
(And I will hope that you will not just trip [or step] on my [fragile] feet)
Pipikit na lamang at mag-sasaya[w] habang nalulungkot ka
(I will just close my eyes [and I will dance] in reverie, while you're in [your] misery)
Pipikit na lamang at mag-sasaya, habang nalulungkot ka
(I will just close my eyes in reverie, while you're in misery)

Habang nalulungkot ka
(While you're in misery)

Ako'y litong-lito, tulungan niyo ako
(I feel so confused, will anyone help [me]?)
Di ko na alam kung sino bang aking pagbibigyan (ko)
(I don't know anymore who I will [consider to] have around)

Ayoko na ng ganito, ako ay litong-lito
(I don't want this anymore, I feel so confused)

Habang nalulungkot ka, isa nama’y natutuwa
(While you're in misery, the other one is merry)
May isa (o minsan) naman ay lumuluha
(And another one [or sometimes] grieves)

Notes: I think Armi has that habit of improvising lyrics, especially towards the end, or at least giving it a little twist so there is a difference between those recorded in the studio, and those performed live. I'm just not sure which is which.

I haven't seen them live yet. I don't even have any of their CD's. But despite the temptation in cyberspace, I would rather wait and buy their albums. I also await the day to see them live. Kudos to Up Dharma Down. I'm a true fan.

11 comments:

  1. Thank you for translating this. I've heard this song a week ago and I play it everyday as of now. Can I cite this for my wordpress entry?

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  2. Hello Mendy Grace!

    Sure thing, it was my pleasure translating this. I hope it's good enough, though. I kinda felt a bit 'forced' to translate it (I wasn't feeling like translating it right away) but due to the number of translations already around, I decided that maybe I should start doing it before it becomes too unoriginal. :-)

    A cite from your Wordpress post would be delightful. I hope I could follow your blog too.

    Cheers! :-D

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  3. Just thinking...doesn't "Indak" means "to groove"? "Sayaw" = "dance" I hope I didn't sound bitchy about it - I just really love the song as well. :)

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  4. Hi Sheng. Nope, I don't believe you're being bitchy about it. Unless you believe you are, or intend to be. What's so wrong about asking? That's just what you're doing. I don't find anything wrong in that. :-)

    "Indak" can have many translations in the Filipino language, in my opinion, depending on use.

    Anyway, to cut my reply short, here's the meaning of "to groove" according to the dictionary:

    [ intrans. ] informal *dance* or *listen* to popular or jazz music, esp. that with an insistent rhythm : they were grooving to Motown.
    • dated play such music in an accomplished and stylish manner : the rhythm section grooves in the true Basie manner.
    • enjoy oneself : Harley relaxed and began to groove.

    Notice how groove can mean either "informal dance" or even "listen to pop music"? I guess my point is that words, as far is language is concerned, can have its own meaning, depending on use. And, if you notice other translated songs, they are not translated word-per-word (although I tried my best to stay true to the letter of the song, but also tried to maintain the rhythm).

    Hope that this helps! :-)

    PS

    A bit into my translating journey: I initially wanted to name this entry as "Sway", or "Swing", but I just settled to the simple, nondescript "Dance". :-)

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  5. I fell in love with this song since I first heard it at Saguijo when UDD performed there. Anyway, I was searching for other people's interpretation of this song and I found your site. You did a pretty good job in translating the song. By the way, I was at initially confused with the theme of your site, I thought I was seeing my blogspot site because I am also using the same background image but the lay-out's a different.

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  6. perhaps one of UDD's best songs. the first time i heard it online i fell instantly inlove with it. and, as with the previous comments say, good job on the translation thingy.

    armi's magical voice never fails to captivate. no exception on this one. :)

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  7. Gosh, never noticed there were new replies. Haha. Highly appreciated, but all credits go to Armi. We are just 'interpreters', she is the messenger. Hehehe. :-)

    I was invited to go to the Terno Inferno event tonight but was too tired to go. Huhu. :-(

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  8. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  9. dota 2 brings me here,, hard to admit that the girl i like is a lesbian..
    sorry medyo far out,, share lng

    IGN: [S]hetness

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  10. Ugh, the writing was poorly written, song translation and blog. Reading this article was a bit straining.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ugh, the writing was poorly written, song translation and blog. Reading this article was a bit straining.

    ReplyDelete

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