U Nonomw Seiko Nee
"'U Nonomw Seiko Nee' was originally composed for 'pworukun fan maram' (under the moon dance) ceremonies. This ceremony usually happened on full moon nights. Groups of men and women from all the villages gathered to hold a singing competition. Songs were always accompanied with a dance." -from the site, "Chuuk Songs"
U Nonomw Seiko Nee
I Am Living at Seiko
Traditional Song
Traditional Song
(Chuukese)
(English)
Emwenin:
Mwa nemin kese rongorongo ai we nanana uuuuuhmm uuuuuuuhmm
Mwa nemin kese rongorongo ai we nanana uuuuuhmm uuuuuuuhmm
Use rongrong pwe chon imwei re okurang, re kekechiw nei kooo
Use rongrong pwe chon imwei re okurang, re kekechiw nei kooo
Nepun, weitang... sa no
I: U nonomw Seiko nee ufen ii rongorongo,
Puupungupunguun me tatangatangen an nemin sopw Neirupung
U nonomw Seiko nee ufen ii rongorongo,
Puupungupunguun me tatangatangen an nemin sopw Neirupung
Karos:
Nge pwata mwo kose pwata, kopwe tou, upwe uronuk, nemin neee, Uuuu
Nge pwata mwo kose pwata, kopwe tou, upwe uronuk, nemin neee, Uuuu
II: Use tufich upwe pwata, upwe tou, pwe ngang mei semwen ooh
Use tufich upwe pwata, upwe tou, pwe ngang mei semwen ooh
III: U nonomw seiko nee ufen ii rongorongo,
Puupungupunguun me taaatangatangen an nemin sopw Neirupung
U nonomw seiko nee ufen ii rongorongo,
Puupungupunguun me taaatangatangen an nemin sopw Neirupung
Introduction:
Hey girl can't you hear talking uuuuuhmm uuuuuuuhmm,
Hey girl can't you hear talking uuuuuhmm uuuuuuuhmm.
I can't hear because my household is making noises, they cry my love,
I can't hear because my household is making noises, they cry my love.
On the ground, on the tights*... let's go.
1. I am living in Seiko** and I am hearing,
The beating and the pounding of my love doing laundry at Neirupung***
I am living in Seiko and I am hearing,
The beating and the pounding of my love doing laundry at Neirupung.
Chorus:
But why can't you get up, come outside, so I can tell you something, my girl uu,
But why can't you get up, come outside, so I can tell you something, my girl uu.
2. I can't get up, to go outside, because I am sick ooh,
I can't get up, to go outside, because I am sick ooh.
3. I am living in Seiko and I am hearing,
The beating and the pounding of my love doing laundry at Neirupung,
I am living in Seiko and I am hearing,
The beating and the pounding of my love doing laundry at Neirupung.
Notes
*"The song goes along with a dance. 'Nepun' means 'the ground', so in the
dance you hit the ground with the palm of your hands and on 'weitang'
you snap your tights." -LJ Rayphand
**A place on Udot Island for the Pwereka clan.
*** Swamps around the ivory trees where people clean clothes and themselves.
The line that talks about 'an nemin sopw Neirupung' (a girl washing clothes at a place called Neirupung) shows the shift from wearing grass skirts to clothes that needed to be washed and reused. Clothing was first introduced to the Chuuk islands during the Spanish Era. During this time, it was one of the most valuable items for trading goods.
Comments
You can hear this song here
Interesting Site about Chuuk Music:
Chuukese Songs
Thanks and Acknowledgements
This song is from the men of Pwereka (clan).
Many thanks to LJ Rayphand for sharing this song, its translation and commentary with us from his site Chuuk Songs.
Image: Full Moon View from India
Kinisou! (Ki ni sou)
