Kerdek ra Beluu

This is an old Palauan song that I learned in about 1981 from some friends. I'm not sure who the original author was. That's me doing the singing and playing mandolin and guitar. It is such a sad song, appropriately played late at night while sitting alone feeling lonely. A song about two lovers separated by a long distance, long before the days of email and skype, who can only write to each other. But they dream of the day in the future that they can be together again in their own special place. I particularly like the line "a bodongmasech eng mol lengeled" -- let's climb above our cries (or tears) -- which evokes climbing up the betel nut tree that is shown in the picture to rise above the pain. Very nicely put.

I hope my translation is at least close to the original intent, so please let me know what I messed up.

By the way, the photo is a time lapsed image I took many years ago of the full moon moving behind a betel nut tree behind our house.

Jim Geselbracht

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Palau
• Belau
• Palauan Music
• Chelitakl era Belau
• palauan songs

[independence101010]

I like how you have it translated so I can really understand the meaning of this song. It's sad when your loved one (whether a family or a lover) is far away from you. Thanks to the internet that we dont' have to write letters anymore.

[MegaBlouch]

Good choice of songs! Ur very good! Keep it up :)

[whitepinejack39]

Your brother-in-law, Jim Johnson just introduced me to your music. Very nice. I always love the sound of the mandolin.

[candypalau14]

you should definetly sing more songs and post them!!!:) your good at singing in palauan!

[lgeselbracht]

Beautiful while meloncholy. Keep them coming.

[kochndbeouch]

very nice!!

[ngiradou]

Brings back great childhood memories.



[BellaOnederful]

Respect!

[TheBLUEDEVIL187]

you are the coolest american dude you should get the grammy for this

[nbgto]

I tell you, this is awesome !!! mal lungil :)