Lyrics Translated Letters - NAK, Jae Jin

Translated Letters

Let’s open discussion
We approaching the truth and we all hoping to touch it
Been a long time coming I’m concerned we got separated
Diverging won’t get us any closer to summit
I remember that chilly night back in Chino
You told me I’m disgracing us Filipinos
‘Cause I was never taught: couldn’t speak Tagalog
Though we share the same blood: Rizal, Aguinaldo
God knows I tried to beat the anguish.
Feeling like
I can’t love the motherland if I don’t speak the language
Never thought I’d be hated on by my own people
This American dream this freaking whole sequel
What’s a blossom when all the roots are ashamed of it
I’m hardly «processing» what the «nature is»
Though I didn’t learn the language of our home
I’ll love it with the language that I know: this is all I know
Though the islands assemble as a whole shun me
I never felt I’m accepted up in my own country
Even my label of «Asian» often brought into question
I feel a hard disconnection when talking complexion
While you pointing fingers
You can’t «grasp» what’s happening while avoiding splinters
Similarity can trick you, better know the difference:
Of «no identity» and «know identity:» I take history to support the inference
Lapu-Lapu, Propaganda Movement
Revolution: Bonifacio, the Katipunan
I’m the proudest descendant of every insurrection
You won’t see me defensive won’t live to tell it
I was built for resisting all your vain oppression
I am not coexisting with all your plain rejection
I’m no less than the very thing you claim to be
My identity’s something you’ll never take from me
I want to think that it’s deeper than words I didn’t learn
Maybe all of it swelling up from a deeper hurt
Maybe all the betrayal we suffered ain’t addressed
Maybe grudges ain’t laid to rest you can’t throw
Mud upon another, not making a mess
I want to fight back.
But I’m saving my breath.
I check:
Vast ocean we crossed I’m now out to wander
‘Cause the cause of it probably is lost in the water
Maybe it’s sleeping, creeping in deep end
Or maybe our story just isn’t complete yet
Whatever it is, maybe finding the problem
Ain’t as vital as finding God trying to solve em
So I will keep the repercussions
And stay awake knowing sleep the reaper cousin
The seed I clutch is a destiny I can’t retreat from
That’ll blossom, «I promise:» I’m talking sampaguita
It’s in the words I’ll never say
Love never needed translation
Maybe the journey of discovering who we are is accepting the reality of destiny
at the same time admitting to not knowing where we’re going.
Direction is just
as important as destination.
Maybe identity lies neither in past, present,
or future.
But maybe it’s all three together.
Maybe our story is still being
written