Sitsiritsit, alibangbang

Hey, hey, butterfly English translation by Roberto Verzola

Sitsiritsit, alibangbang Traditional Filipino folk song

Hey, hey, butterfly beetle me, oh, beetle my. Watch that girl on the block; she poses like a fighting cock. – Blessed child of Pandacan, Rice biscuits in a stall. Why won’t you give me a loan? The pesky ants will get you soon. – Miss, miss, with parasol, keep this baby in the shade. When you get to Malabon, trade him for some fishy paste. – Sir, sir, on the boat, take this child and go off. In Manila, at the mall, trade him for a nicer doll.

Sitsiritsit, alibangbang salaginto, salagubang Ang babae sa lansangan kung gumiri parang tandang – Santo Niño sa Pandacan Puto seko sa tindahan. Ayaw mong magpautang? Uubusin ka ng langgam. – Ale, ale namamayong, pasukubin yaring sanggol pagdating sa Malabon ipagpalit ng bagoong. – Mama, mama, namamangka pasakayin yaring bata Pagdating sa Maynila ipagpalit ng manika –