Sunday, July 8, 2018

English translation of "Tupang Ligaw" by Rez Valdez

This is a very short song but I love its simple and true message. I tried out different ways to translate the lines since much of the song repeats. The first translations are more literal than the rest.
Please let me know if you have any suggestion on how to improve this translation.

Tupang Ligaw

Malapit na namang lumubog ang araw
Dilim ng gabi'y darating na naman
Sa paghimlay mo isip mo'y naglalakbay
Nakatanaw sa kawalan

Lumipas na naman ang isang araw sa buhay
Takbo ng buhay mo'y di mo namamalayan
Sa bawat sandaling darating at papanaw
Buhay mo'y tila parang kulang

Kayamanan at lahat ng kalayawan
Wala pala itong kabuluhan
Kung si Kristo ay wala pa sa iyong buhay
Para kang isang tupang ligaw

Sa bawat sandaling darating at papanaw
Buhay mo'y tila parang kulang

Kayamanan at lahat ng kalayawan
Wala pala itong kabuluhan
Kung si Kristo ay wala pa sa iyong buhay
Para kang isang tupang ligaw

Kayamanan at lahat ng kalayawan
Wala pala itong kabuluhan
Kung si Kristo ay wala pa sa iyong buhay
Para kang isang tupang ligaw
Para kang isang tupang ligaw
Para kang isang tupang ligaw


Lost Sheep

The sun is about to set
The dark of night comes again
As you slumber your mind wanders
Viewing loss or Looking at nothingness

Another day of life has gone
And you don’t notice how your life is passing
As each moment comes and disappears
Life seems to lack something

Riches and every indulgence
Have no meaning after all
If Christ is not yet in your life
You’re like a sheep lost

As each moment comes and disappears
Life seems lacking somehow

Riches and every indulgence
These mean naught
If you don’t have Christ in your life
You’re like a lost lamb

Riches and every indulgence
All these are pointless
Without Christ in your life
You’re like a lost lamb
You’re like a lost lamb
You’re like a lost lamb