Spolarium, by Eraserheads

This song written and first performed by the Eraserheads is one of those melodies meant to be heard and misunderstood. It’s vague words, allusions to general trivia (confusing to me at least becauseI was just a tot when it came out), and general drunken quality can be attributed to the fact that this song does involve beer—lots of it. Nevertheless, it displays Eraserheads timeless ability to capture moments of one;s life and frame it in the awesomest manner. I love this song. It’s pretty obvious. And not to mention that out of all songs covered by recent artists, the one made by Imago comes out as a crowd favorite.

SPOLARIUM*

written and performed by: Eraserheads

——

dumilim ang paligid //The surroundings dimmed
may tumawag sa pangalan ko//Someone called my name
labing isang palapag //Eleven floors
tinanong kung okay lang ako // and asked if I was okay
sabay abot ng baso //while handing me a glass
may naghihintay //someone’s waiting
at bakit ba pag nagsawa na ako // and why is it when I’ve had enough
biglang ayoko na //suddenly I don’t want it anymore

at ngayon di pa rin alam //and now, I still have no idea
kung ba’t tayo nandito //why we are here
pwede bang itigil muna //can we please just stop
ang pagikot ng mundo //the earth from revolving

lumiwanag ang buwan //The moon shone
san juan** // San Juan
di ko na masasakyan //I’ll never be riding it.
ang lahat ng bagay ay gumuguhit*** .
na lang saking lalamunan //Everthing is just drawing a line/trailing across my throat
ewan mo at ewan natin //You don’t know and we don’t know
sinong may pakana // who’s to blame
at bakit ba tumilapon ang
gintong alak dyan sa paligid mo //and why did the golden beer spill all around you.

at ngayon di pa rin alam //and now I still have no idea
kung ba’t tayo nandito //why we are here
pwede bang itigil muna //can we please stop just for now
ang pagikot ng mundo //the world from revolving

umiyak ang umaga //the morning cried
anong sinulat ni enteng at joey**** dyan //what did enteng and joey write
sa gintong salamin //in the golden mirror
di ko na mabasa //I can’t read anymore
pagkat merong nagbura ahhh… //cause someone erased it ahh…

ewan mo at ewan natin // You don’t know and we don’t know
sinong may pakana //who is to blame
at bakit ba tumilapon ang spoliarium
dyan sa paligid mo //why did the spolarium spill all around you?

at ngayon di pa rin alam //and now I still have no idea
kung bakit tayo nandito //why we are here
pwede bang itigil muna //can we just stop it for now
ang pagikot ng mundo //the world from revolving
pwede bang itigil muna //can we stop it for now
ang pagikot ng mundo //the world from revolving
pwede bang itigil muna //can we stop it for now
ang pagikot nga mundo //the world from revolving

——-

*Spolarium– refers to a 19th century painting by Juan Luna, depicting a scene in the Coliseum with the soldiers dragging out the corpses of gladiators (it supposedly alludes to the oppression of natives during the Spanish period). As to it’s relation to the song. I HAVE NO IDEA.

**San Juan –another one of those things I don’t understand. It might refer to a place and because of their drunken binge, a jeepney (a public vehicle) route which he/she can’t ride anymore

***gumuguhit –this refers to that sharp, acidic line which a strong alcohol trails across the throat.

****enteng and joey– refers to Vic Sotto and Joey De Leon, respectively. They are two famous comedic icons in Philippine entertainment scene, or more appropriate mass culture. They also write and sing songs in their heydays.

And once again, I repeat. As to their relation to the songs, I’m still in the process of deciphering it. IN short. Ewan ko. I HAVE NO IDEA

Tags: Eraserheads, filipino to english, opm, spolarium, translation