'Impiyerno' lyrics:

Words and music by Lav Diaz

I. Paalam (Haiku)

Balot ang bundok
Ng puting alapaap
Malayong musa

Haplos ng ambon
Anino mong nagdaan
Naaaninag

Hampas ng ulan
Lihim na kalungkutan
Nananambitan

Taghoy ng gabi
Dahon kang naglalayag
Sa panaginip

Rosas sa pader
Gumagapang na lungsod
Nangungulila

Patlang sa buwan
Nakaguhit mong anyo
Sa kalawakan

Dalit ng hangin
Pangamba ng taglamig
Isang paglisan

Gintong panahon
Hiram na kapalaran
Pamamaalam

Paalam... paalam... paalam...


II. I'll Be Gone

He was telling a story
It was a Russian story
It was a film of Andre Tarkovsky
It was about the girl in a mirror
He said, I can't forget her
Now I only see her in the vastness, in the blankness, in the madness of my dreams.

She said she hates the city so much
And she wrote some poetry at night
And we talked about philosophy and ideology
She said, she cares so much about life and me
She'll never forget me, she'll never forgive me
But she still hopes to see me someday.

Then I'll be gone
When night is done
'Cause I'm on the run
In the early sun
And the rain has come
To hide all this tears for you.

He is writing a story
And the premise is on history
And when he shoots his movie
There'll be no use of Stanislavsky
All the actors must be free, free
And we'll be working hard all day.

And then she smiled at me at the counter
It wasn't the first time that I see her
She untied her hair and pressed the coffeemaker
She said, "Man, why are you always here?
Why are you always alone?
Are you waiting for somebody out there?"

Then I'll be gone
When night is done
'Cause I'm on the run
In the early sun
And the rain has come
To hide all this tears for you.

Now, it's cold and dry in Quezon City
She's so tired she couldn't cry, it's February
My gift for her is poster of a movie
It's all about West Side Avenue in Jersey City
She lives all alone now
She lives in a dark, dark room
She only comes out at night
She walks the dark streets
And hopes to meet somebody out there.

The day she left for New York City
The cold's a killer out there in the story
She said, 'Oh God, please help preserve my country
All the theaters are closed
There's nothing here for me
I'm leaving, I'm leaving, I’m leaving now
But I still love you, Baby'

Then I'll be gone
When night is done
'Cause I'm on the run
In the early sun
And the rain has come
To hide all this tears for you.

III. Cold

The streets are cold and you worry
Now you're walking with your story
You've been dreaming of home
You've been driving alone
You say you're lost and weary
You feel so dead and empty.

When I tried to talk to you
You didn't listen at all
You say the sky's falling down on you
There's darkness all around you.

Something's good in you
Something;s good in you
Something's good in you
Something's good in you.

What's the cause
What's your story
Some things seem lost
Some things look dirty
This world is old and cold
You hold your head and fold
Your eyes are dark and dreary
Your voice is sad and heavy

When your friends come to you
You didn't listen at all
The sky's falling down on you
There's darkness all around you.

Something's good in you
Something's good in you
Something's good in you
Something's good in you

The waves of dawn are still roaring
But in your head the world is burning
In your head every thing's turning
In your head somebody's screaming
Please, rest your feet and stay
Please, rest your soul and see

That something's great in you
Something's great in you
Something's great in you
Something's great in you.


IV. Awit ni Patricia

Malamig ang hangin
Malamig ang puso
Matamlay ang langit
Matamlay ang himig
Hinahanap-hanap kita
Hinahanap, hinahanap.

Sa pagdalaw ng gabi
At pagtighaw ng alinsangan
Nanakaw ng sandali
Nang di mawalay sa isipan.

At pagdating ng pighati
Na dulot ng pag-alinlangan
Lalagi sa aking tabi
Alaala ng iyong pagpisan.

Malamig ang hangin
Malamig ang puso
Matamlay ang langit
Matamlay ang himig
Hinihintay-hintay kita
Hinihintay, hinihintay.

Sa pagbalot ng dilim
At pagtahimik ng lansangan
Idadako ang paningin
Sa pinto ng panambitan.

At pagdating ng pighati
Na dulot ng kahinaan
Laging kong tatandaan
Ang dahilan ng 'yong paglisan.

Malamig ang hangin
Malamig ang puso
Matamlay ang langit
Matamlay ang himig
Hinahanap-hanap kita
Hinahanap, hinahanap.


V. Dead River

I see you in this vast wasteland
Of innocent dumpsite children
And gentle goats
Your stench pierces my eyes
It numbs my brain
It bleeds my soul.

Your tears flow on this dead river
Your tears flow on this dead river
Please, don't wake me
Please, don't wake me
Please don't wake me.

I see you in this vast wasteland
Of innocent dumpsite children
And gentle goats
Your stench pierces my eyes
It numbs my brain
It bleeds my soul.

My tears flow on this dead river
My tears flow on this dead river
Don't forsake me
Don't forsake me
Don't forsake me.

I see you in this vast wasteland
Of innocent dumpsite children
And gentle goats
Your stench pierces my eyes
It numbs my brain
It bleeds my soul.

Your tears flow on this dead river
Your tears flow on this dead river
Please, forgive me
Please, forgive me
Please, forgive me.

VI. Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay

Paggising mo sa isang umaga
Walang kasamang nakaabang
Walang kaibigang naghihintay
Nangungulila ka sa 'yong pag-iisa.

Naglalaro sa 'yong isipan
Ang dating daang binabagtas
Napabayaang mga bakas
Isang pangarap na di na natupad.

Paghakbang mo sa lansangan
Naroon sila, nakamasid
Mga aninong nakasunod
Mga multo ng 'yong kahapon.

Nakikibaka ka sa araw-araw
Gumagapang sa karimlan
Lumalaban na mapunan
Ang panghihina ng 'yong kamalayan.

Sa pagdating ng labis na kapaguran
Nilulunod ng panahon
Umaasa kang mawawala
Ang bigat ng 'yong mga dalahin.

Sana'y humupa rin ang unos
Maglunoy ka sa tag-ulan
Yakapin mo ang kawalan
Huwag kang matakot sa 'yong pag-iisa.

At sa huli, ang tangi mong maaalala
Isang mukhang nakatungo
Isang pangalang papalayo
Isang pag-ibig na walang katuparan.

At sa huli, ang tangi mong maaalala
Isang larawang naglalaho
Isang pangalang papalayo
Isang pag-ibig na walang katuparan.

At sa huli, ang tangi mong maaalala
Mga pangalang papalayo
Mga aninong naglalaho
Sa isang mundo na 'yong iiwanan.

VII. Ina ng Nawawala

Siya's isang ina
At tulad ng iba
Nakaupo sa bintana
Naghihintay sa anak niya

Si Porfirio ay binata na
Kailan lang ay college na
Tanging pangarap niya
Mapagtapos ng karera

Baka natrapik siya
Ang laging sambit niya
Tuwing ang anak niya
Sa hapunan ay wala pa

Mahal niyang asawa
Kaylaon nang wala
Mag-isang iginapang niya
Ang buhay nilang mag-ina

Aling Maria
Aling Maria
Ang isang katulad mo
Sa mundo ay dakila.

Anak, mag-ingat ka
Ang laging habol niya
Tuwing ang anak niya
Ay papasok na sa eskwela.

Di alam ni Aling Maria
Si Porfirio's kasama
Sa eskwela't sa kalsada
Humahanay sa martsa

Isang araw sa Mendiola
Si Porfirio'y kasama
Nagkagulong bigla
At may dumukot sa kanya

Si Aling Maria
Magdamag sa bintana
Huling balita niya
Si Porfirio ay nawawala

Aling Maria
Aling Maria
Tangi mong pag-asa
Ngayon ay wala na
Aling Maria
Aling Maria
Tangi mong pag-asa
Kabilang na sa nawawala.

Siya'y isang ina
At gaya ng iba
Nakaupo sa bintana
Naghihintay sa anak niya

Siya'y isang ina
At gaya ng iba
Wala nang nagawa
Sa kaapihang dinanas niya

Siya'y isang ina
At tulad ng iba
Katinuan ay nawala
Dahil sa hapis na di mabata

Siya'y isang ina
At tulad ng iba
Nakaupo sa bintana
Naghihintay sa nawawala

Aling Maria
Aling Maria
Huwag kang mag-alala
Siya'y aming idadambana
Aling Maria
Aling Maria
Mapalad kang ina
Anak mo'y dakila.


VIII. Pray

She curls on her pillow
She closes the window
The rooms so frozen and dry
And she hears a lullaby.

He hits the highway sign
It's the spirit of the wine
The road's so dusty and he's tired
He hears a friend just died.

Pray for someone
Pray for someone
This world's a hole now
There's no space and time.

He crosses the river
Lives with a sinner
He sails the seas and skies
He writes those long goodbyes

She lights a cigarette
Her face a silhouette
She waits and waits at the street corner
'Though she knows it's over.

Pray for someone
Pray for someone
This world's a hole now
There's no space and time.

The walks are longer
The talks are stronger
It was the best defense he's told
When silence couldn't hold.

She couldn't stand to look
When his words had made her shook
The distance tough between them now
They gave up on their vow.

Pray for someone
Pray for someone
This world's a hole now
There's no space and time.

His thoughts are wont to tell
That living here is hell
She says, that's not really the case, my friend
You know, it's easy to pretend.

Another glass of wine
Her life is on the line
He seeks forgiveness and redemption
That time has never shown.

And pray for someone
Pray for someone
This world's a hole now
There's no space and time.

IX. Post-apocalyptic Sky

She's rolling on the dice
Slipping on the ice
She's keeping it all inside her head
She's keeping the pain inside her heart
Don't keep it all inside
Find some peace of mind.

What's in it for me out there
What's in it for me if I go
What's in it for me down here
What's in it for me if I stay
Sometimes all I wanna do
Is wait and watch that post-apocalyptic sky.

She's taken on the stage
And keeping up her space
She says, this life is just another rehearsal
My life's the ultimate scene in this play
Don't swallow it all inside
Have some peace of mind.

What's in it for me out there
What's in it for me if I go
What's in it for me down here
What's in it for me if I stay
Sometimes all I wanna do
Is wait and watch that post-apocalyptic sky.

Shadows on the wall
Shadows on the hall
Your voice is hovering but you're not here
This room is empty, this room is full of ghosts
Don't turn your back, my love
Please, give me peace of mind.

What's in it for me out there
What's in it for me if I go
What's in it for me down here
What's in it for me if I stay
Sometimes all I wanna do
Is wait and watch that post-apocalyptic sky.

Debris on the ground
Wild dogs all around
It's all gray, it's all black and white
A soul is hungry, a soul is empty, a soul is lost
Don't go away, my love
Please give me peace of mind.

What's in it for me out there
What's in it for me if I go
What's in it for me down here
What's in it for me if I stay
Sometimes all I wanna do
Is wait and watch that post-apocalyptic sky.

X. Kumusta Ka

Kumusta ka
Nasaan ka na ngayon
Saan ka humahapon
Ano ang 'yong maghapon
Ano ang 'yong ginagawa
Binabaybay mo ba ang lawa
Gumagawa ka ba ng isang kanta.

Kumusta ka
Balitaan mo ako
Kung anong nakikita mo
Kung anong naiisip mo
Kung anong nangyayari sa 'yo
May bago ka na bang nobela
May bago ka na bang pelikula.

Kumusta ka
May sayawan sa ibayo
May inang nasisiphayo
Umiiyak ang ermitanyo
Silang lahat ay nagkakagulo
Wala na ang ating makata
Makahiga na siya sa bangketa.

Kumusta ka
Nanghaharana ang gabi
Nagsasayaw ang kalapati
Humihingi ng pagtatangi
Kayong lahat ay nakatingin lang sa tabi
Wala na ang ating mga saksi
Sila ngayo'y napipi't nabingi.

Kumusta ka
May parada sa ating baryo
Ang lahat ay kandidato
Walang puwang ang pag-ibig mo
Magwawakas na ang senakulo
Wala na ang ating payaso
Nakakulong na siya sa palasyo.

Kumusta ka
Huwag ka sanang magbabago
Huwag ka sanang magtatago
Kailangan ka namin dito
Kailangan pa ang tulong mo
Saka ka na magpahinga
Marami pa tayong magagawa.

Halika na
Samahan mo ako
Huwag tayong sumuko
Sumulong pa tayo
Lumaban pa tayo
Itaas ang iyong kamao
Isigaw ang boses mo
Lumaban tayo nang husto
Habang tayo ay narito
Habang buo ang ating mga puso.

“Impiyerno: Songs From & Inspired by the Cinema of Lav Diaz” (3rd .mov International Digital Film Festival)

By Pocholo Concepcion

If people believe that life’s purpose is to find happiness, this CD may either comfort them or drive them nuts. The 10 songs in “Impiyerno” are relentless in their narratives of pain, so that in the end one feels fortunate just to be alive.

The story goes that Lavrente Diaz, aka Lav, kingpin of Pinoy alternative filmmaking, was persuaded to record songs he wrote (in his other life as a dabbling musician) by colleague Khavn De La Cruz in time for the 3rd .mov film fest.

The idea is that De La Cruz, festival director and the album's producer, wants to present Philippine independent cinema's links to music and literature, in which case Diaz, whose writer’s roots and passion are fueled by rock ‘n’ roll, is a worthy subject.

The recording session, in true punk DIY fashion, was done in four hours, with all the songs nailed in one take, even as Diaz was coming down with the flu. Such circumstances lend an eerie sense of authenticity to the album’s dreary mood: Diaz’s voice cracks in a few tracks and his overall performance projects a persona who knows desolation like the back of his hand.

In Diaz’s songs, a couple of which (“Paalam,” “Awit ni Patricia”) are heard in his films, recurring images of long, dark, rainy nights abound; various characters contemplate their agonies; some walk away with festering wounds in their hearts. The earliest tune he wrote, “Ina ng Nawawala,” was inspired by a bloody scene: Lean Alejandro’s assassination in 1987.

In one track, “Cold,” a rare positive line is heard: “Something’s good in you.” Though it sounds more like a plea to the dejected.

The album’s statement, Diaz writes in the liner notes, is: “There is no cure to sadness.” But the way Diaz interprets the experience, with a touch of Neil Young on acoustic guitar, and traces of Bob Dylan, Lou Reed and Leonard Cohen on vocals, should take away the frown.

From The Philippine Daily Inquirer