Magtanim ay 'Di Biro (, and known in its English title as Planting Rice) is a popular Tagalog folk song composed by Felipe de León. The song tells of the struggles of farmers, how one must twist and bend to plant rice in the muddy paddies all day, with no chance to sit nor stand.
Lyrics Magtanim ay 'di biro Maghapong nakayuko 'Di naman makatayo 'Di naman makaupo
Braso ko'y namamanhid Baywang ko'y nangangawit Binti ko'y namimitig Sa pagkababad sa tubig
Sa umagang paggising Ang lahat iisipin Kung saan may patanim May masarap na pagkain
Braso ko'y namamanhid Baywang ko'y nangangawit Binti ko'y namimitig Sa pagkababad sa tubig
Halina, halina, mga kaliyag Tayo'y magsipag-unat-unat Magpanibago tayo ng lakas Para sa araw ng bukas Para sa araw ng bukas
In popular culture The song was first recorded in mixed Tagalog and English by Katy de la Cruz in the United States in the 1920s. A Chinese version with the title Planting Rice was released in 1962 as part of Rebecca Pan's album Oriental Pearls. The version also included Tagalog and English lyrics.
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