Introducing Rizal's poem, "Canto del viajero"

Tommy Körberg

Introducing “Canto del viajero” (“The Song of the Traveler” or “Awit ng manlalakbay”)

to a Rizal Class

How do Filipino Overseas foreign workers feel when they are geographically separated from the motherland?  There is a piece of music called “Anthem” sung by Tommy Körberg which expresses a longing for home without the blare of nationalistic trumpets.  You can find it here:

The words and music are from the musical, "Chess."  The lyricist is Time Rice with music from Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson.

“No Man, No madness
Though their sad power may prevail,
Can posses, conquer my Country's heart
They rise to fail.

“She is eternal
Long before nation’s lines were drawn.
When no flags flew, when no armies stood,
My Land was born.
And you ask me why I love Her
Through war, death and despair.
She is the constant,
We who don't care.
And you wonder, ‘Will I leave Her - But how?
I cross the borders but I'm still there now.’”

“How can I leave Her?
Where would I start?
Let Man's petty nations tear themselves apart.
My Land's only borders lie around my heart.”

How do you react to this lovely piece of music?  How would any Filipino living abroad feel when hearing it?  How would Rizal have felt?   This piece of poetry set to a stirring melody might be used to introduce “Canto del viajero” (“The Song of the Traveler” or “Awit ng manlalakbay”) to a Rizal Class.

You may capture Rizal’s poetry here:

http://joserizal.info/Writings/Poetry/poetry.lwp.htm