Bahay Kubo

"Bahay Kubo" is a very well-known traditional Filipino song about planting and farm life. Its title refers to the bahay kubo, or farm hut often seen in the fields for the workers to sit and relax in (another name for a bahay kubo is a nipa hut). Over the years, there have been many covers of this folk song, and it is really interesting to observe the evolution of it and its application in different genres. Below are the lyrics in both English and Tagalog, and a couple versions of the song. 

Tagalog Lyrics

Bahay kubo, kahit munti
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari.
Singkamas at talong, sigarilyas at mani
Sitaw, bataw, patani.

Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa
At saka mayroon pang labanos, mustasa,
sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya
sa paligid-ligid ay puro linga.

English

Nipa hut*, even though it is small
The plants it houses are varied
Turnip and eggplant, winged bean and peanut
String bean, hyacinth bean, lima bean.

Wax gourd, luffa**, white squash and pumpkin,
And there is also radish, mustard,
Onion, tomato, garlic, and ginger
And all around are sesame seeds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA2uFW0t1WQ - more modern/westernized. jazz-esque, if you will. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5RkepmnxLo - a rock version. very contemporary and almost unrecognizable to the original song. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7yM5onQufU - the original way it was supposed to be sung. this version is really interesting because, though, it was the more traditional one, it is being sung by an American in the video. the song is interrupted several times because the woman didn't know the lyrics, but you'll get the gist of it. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUx6REWtk-Q&feature=related - strictly an instrumental version. this is also interesting because it shows classical interpretations of the song. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um5LjSS2m_c - a clearer version of the original bahay kubo but without accompaniment. it's nice, though, because it is very genuine - just a grandmother singing the song at the breakfast table. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ_JEkjPj2o - a more pop-y, mainstream version of the song sung by two popstars.