Cagayan Hymn Song Lyrics (In English, Ilocano, and Ybanag)

These are the lyrics for the official hymn song of the province of Cagayan in the Philippines. There are three versions in English (by J.H.M. Butler), Ilocano (by Petrona Macadaeg), and Ybanag (by Nicanor Carag).

English Version by J.H.M. Butler


I
Cagayan, my valley home is dear to me,
Though from her my footsteps far stray,
Over mountains, plains, beyond the deep blue sea
I shall love her ever be where’er I may.

Chorus:
Cagayan, O smiling land of beauty
Cagayan, my heart clings unto thee;
Though from thee my footsteps far away may stray
I shall love thee ever be where’er I may.

II
Subtler charms and beauty other skies my yield
Other lands a moment may allure;
But my turn to Cagayan will be revealed
That my love for her shall ever more endure.

Chorus:
Cagayan, O smiling land of beauty
Cagayan, my heart clings unto thee;
Though from thee my footsteps far away may stray
I shall love thee ever be where’er I may.

III
‘Tis not riches of the soil, indeed, that hold me to her
But treasures of the soul; virtues humble,
Loyal hearts with courage hold, Far outweigh
The earthly says the Holy Scroll.

Chorus:
Cagayan, O smiling land of beauty
Cagayan, my heart clings unto thee;
Though from thee my footsteps far away may stray
shall love thee ever be where’er I may.

IV
May her sons and daughters evermore aspire
To be faithful, lovely, good and true
Thrifty, peaceful learned, may they never tire
Standing for the right though for the right be few.

Chorus:
Cagayan, O smiling land of beauty
Cagayan, my heart clings unto thee;
Though from thee my footsteps far away may stray
I shall love thee ever be where’er I may.

Ilocano Version by Petrona Macadaeg


I
Cagayan ili a napateg caniac
Adayo man silalagipac
Banbantay ken taao a nalinac
Ayaten canto latta awan duaduac

Chorus;
Cagayan, Naisemea a baggac
Cagayan, pusoc adda kenca;
Sadino man disso ti pagyanac
Ayatencanto latta auan duaduac.

II
Ay-ayo ken pintas ti maitedda
Daguiti sabali a daga,
Cagayan no agsubliac kenca
Makitat talged ti ayatco kenca.

III
Ti sanicua saan ñga isu dayta
Ti mangawis iti naregta
Nga panag-an-andingay co kenca.
No di ket ta imbagono auan pada.

IV
Sapay coma ta daguiti annacmo
Natutocda ita sidongmo,
Ket impapusuan a napaypayso
Ti panangitakderda iti pudno.

Ybanag Version by Nicanor Carag


I
Cagayan, dabbun nga cacastan niacan
Egga ca lara nacuan ta piam,
Nu curug tu naparayu ca niacan
Ariata ca Bulubuga nga cattaman

Chorus:
Cagayan, maquemmemmi ca nga innan
Cagayan, auan tu caguittam;
Nu ani paga casta na dabbun caruan
Egga ca la ta futu’ ñga ideducan

About the Province of Cagayan


Cagayan is a province in the Philippines located in Northern Luzon. It's bordered by the provinces of Apayao, Isabela, Kalinga, and Ilocos Norte. Its capital is the city of Tuguegarao. It has 28 municipalities and 1 city - Tuguegarao, Tuao, Solana, Santo Nino, Santa Teresita, Santa Praxedes, Santa Ana, Sanchez Mira, Rizal, Piat, Penablanca, Pamplona, Lasam, Lal-lo, Iguig, Gonzaga, Gattaran, Enrile, Claveria, Camalaniugan, Calayan, Buguey, Ballesteros, Baggao, Aparri, Amulung, Allacapan, Alcala, and Abulug.