Lyrics and translation Gloc-9 - Rico J

Rico J

Maraming bukol sa aking mukha
Tanakang umukol at sinasadya
Laging sinasalo ng sanga at dahon ko
Maraming bukol sa aking mukha dahil ang puno ko'y hitik

Madaming bagay ang gusto kong sagutin
Tuwing haharangin at tatanungin
Mga asal na sa 'ki'y nagpapailing
Ang palaging bungad, "Bakit ang aga mong dumating?" (Dumating)

Bawat trabahong tinapos, haharapin
Sa'n man gaganapin, aking kakagatin
Na parang tayo'y nasa 1997 ulit
At wala akong alam na ibang gusto kong gawin
Kahit sablay ang damit, ang mikropono'y punit
Sabi nga ng nanay ko sa 'kin ay, "Diyan ka magaling"
'Di ko inakala na ako ay may mararating
Pero buo ang tiwala sa bitbit na anting-anting

Na walang anuman ang sa akin ay makakapigil
At ang talunan sa 'kin ay isang maliit na butil
Ng buhangin sa pangpang, matamis na hinahagkan
Ang dagat ng isang gutom na aso na sumasagwan (sagwan)

Sa isang pirasong tinapay na sa 'kin ay umakay
Tuwing sakto ang pera, dadayo doon sa Pasay
Pabalik ng Baclaran, Las Piñas, papuntang Cavite
'Pag pauwi, sabit sa jeep na Alabang-Zapote
Nagpupumilit sumingit, palad 'di maiguhit
Pagkatapos ng lahat-lahat ay dapat kong masulit
Para sa 'king mga anak, kahit 'di maitatak
Ang aking pangalan, makasabay sa mga yapak (yapak)

Salamat, kahit na ako ay isa lamang manunula
Ay may natungtungan na rin akong nakakalula
May kanin sa kaldero at may yero sa bubong
"Para sa mga mahal," 'yan ang palagi kong tugon (tugon)
Dahil marami ang laging nakaabang na ulupong
Lait na pasigaw sa 'kin ay mga mahinang bulong
Kaya damihan mo ang hawak na pamukol na bato
Ang tangi kong hiling, sana'y mabusog ka sa bunga ko (ko)

Maraming bukol sa aking mukha
Tanakang umukol at sinasadya
Laging sinasalo ng sanga at dahon ko
Maraming bukol sa aking mukha dahil ang puno ko'y...

Rico J

My face has many lumps
Stemming from deliberate blows
Always softened by my branches and leaves
Lumps on my face abound, for my tree is heavy

There's much I'd like to address
Whenever I'm stopped and questioned
Manners that I find disheartening
The standard opener always goes, "Why are you here so early?" (Arriving)

Every task I finish, I'll face
Wherever it takes place, I'll bite into it
As if we were back in 1997
And I know of nothing else I'd rather do
Even if my clothes are sloppy and my microphone is torn
Like my mother used to tell me, "That's where you shine"
I never imagined I could reach these heights
Yet, I have unwavering faith in the amulet I carry

That nothing can hold me back
And that my adversaries are mere specks
Of sand on the shore, gently caressed
By the sea, a starving dog that paddles (paddling)

To a piece of bread that led me astray
Whenever I had enough money, I'd head to Pasay
Returning from Baclaran, Las Piñas, to Cavite
On the way back, I'd cling to the Alabang-Zapote jeepney
Struggling to squeeze in, my palm couldn't draw
After all that, I must make the most of it
For my children, even if they can't etch
My name and follow in my footsteps (footsteps)

Thank you, even though I'm just a poet
I've still climbed to dizzying heights
There's rice in the pot and a roof over my head
"For my loved ones," that's always my answer (answer)
Because there are many vipers lurking in wait
Their loud, insulting cries sound like faint whispers to me
So gather more stones for your slingshot
My only wish is that you'll be satisfied with my fruit (my)

My face has many lumps
Stemming from deliberate blows
Always softened by my branches and leaves
Lumps on my face abound, for my tree is...