“Haika mutil”, a Basque traditional song sung by Mikel Laboa

One of the first songs sung by the Basque songwriter Mikel Laboa was this pretty Basque traditional song, “Haika mutil”. It’s a song, with a pretty and sad melody, that tales about a man who send to his server, a boy, to see many things: if it’s day, if it’s raining, etc. At the end, the boy confess to be very tired of doing things for his boss. Mikel recorded it on a EP entitled as the song (1969), and later, on the LPs Euskal Kanta Berria –New Basque Song- (1972) and Bat Hiru –One Three- (1974).

Haika mutil

"Haika mutil, jeiki hadi
argia den mira hadi."
– Bai, nausia, argia da,
gur oilarra kanpoan da.

"Haika mutil, jeiki hadi
uria den mira hadi."
– Bai, nausia, uria da,
gure orra bustia da.

"Haika mutil, jeiki hadi
surik baden mira hadi."
– Bai, nausia, sua bada,
gur gatoa beroa da.

"Haika mutil, jeiki hadi
hortxe zer den mira hadi."
– Bai, nausia, haizea da,
gur lehioa ideki da.

"Haika mutil, jeiki hadi
kanpoan zer den mira hadi."
– Bai, nausia, edurra da,
lurra xuriz estali da.

"Haika mutil, jeiki hadi
urean zer den mira hadi."
– Bai, nausia, ardia da,
aspaldian itoa da.

"Haika mutil, jeiki hadi
zer oinon den mira hadi."
– Bai, nausia, egia da,
mutiltto hau unatu da.

Wake up, boy

“Wake up boy, stand up,/ look carefully if it’s day.”/ –Yes boss, it’s day,/ our rooster is outside.// “Wake up boy, stand up,/ look carefully if it’s raining.”/ –Yes, boss, it’s raining,/ our there is wet.// “Wake up boy, stand up,/ look carefully if there’s fire.”/ –Yes, boss, there’s fire,/ our cat is warm.// “Wake up boy, stand up,/ look carefully what’s there.”/ –Yes, boss, it’s the wind,/ our window is open.// “Wake up boy, stand up,/ look carefully what’s happening outside.”/ Yes, boss, it’s snowing,/ the soil is covered in white.// “Wake up boy, stand up,/ look carefully what is in the water.”/ –Yes, boss, there is a sheep,/ long time drone.// “Wake up boy, stand up,/ look carefully which is the good foot.”/ Yes, boss, it is true,/ this little boy is tired.

Traditional

Spanish translation, not made by me:

https://albokari2.wordpress.com/2007/01/25/haika-mutil/