Last week the Aruban community was stricken with the devastating news that Juan Chabaya Lampe, better known as Padu del Caribe or Aruba’s “Tata di Cultura” (cultural father), has passed away at the fascinating age of 99 years old. Today the Aruban community will be paying their last respects at Plaza Padu honoring his legacy, and tomorrow the official religious ceremony and burial will take place at the Protestant Church of Aruba in Oranjestad. In April 2020, Aruba would have celebrated Padu’s 100th birthday together with the legacy he has established on the island and the Caribbean region. Padu is a well-known Aruban composer, musician, singer, writer, poet, and painter, an inspiring multifaceted artist. Padu is the mastermind behind the composition of the Aruban hymn, which was first sung in 1986 when Aruba got its Status Aparte within the Dutch Kingdom. Padu was a distinctive cultural pillar and heritage advocate in our community. Therefore, this week local musicians, artists, poets, writers, singers, composers, arrangers, choirs, bands, cultural and creative institutions and foundations, and the entire Aruban community are mourning the loss of their cultural father.
In solemn with the Aruban community, especially the Aruban cultural sector, today’s column will be dedicated to our beloved Padu. In our efforts to raise awareness of Aruba’s cultural heritage, two very popular compositions of Padu are shared with you. Whenever the name Padu is mentioned, almost everyone automatically thinks about the song “Abo So” and of course Aruba’s National Anthem. Interestingly, something very authentic to Padu is his charisma and very passionate choice of words. The song “Abo So” is a very romantic dedication to his now deceased wife, Daisy Lampe – Croes. In the song he expresses his love to her and his desire to share his life with her and ultimately promising to love her till death parts them from each other. Now, when you consider the national anthem of Aruba, it is also a very powerful song expressing love, loyalty, respect, and commitment to his beautiful country, Aruba.
Padu wrote hundreds of songs over the years and received many awards during his lifetime. He was loved locally and internationally for the precious gift he gave to this world, which was sharing his talents and his heart through the arts. The essence of creativity is simply exercising ones talent and believing that it can have a positive impact on society. Padu was a true innovator in his generation, and his legacy with no doubt will live for many generations to come. Like we Arubans say; Te Aworo Padu, te aworo! (Farewell Padu, farewell!)
Abo So – Only You (waltz)
Cu henter mi alma… cu henter mi bida
– With all my soul… with all my life
Ta asina mi sa stima… y ta abo so ma stima
– That is the way I love… and you are the only one I love
Bou tur sircumstancia… y te na mi morto
– Under any circumstances… and until I die
Lo mi sigi stimabo… abo so… abo so
– I will keep loving you… only you… only you
Ki dia mi lo tin e honor… di cariciabo cu mi amor
– When will I have the honor… to caress you with my love
Y sinti bo dulsura den un sunchi calor
– And feel the sweetness of a warm kiss
Ay mare ta awe nochi mes… Ay mare ta awoki mes
– Oh wish it would be tonight… Oh wish it would be now
Mi lo entregabo tur mi curazon.
– I will give you all my heart
Aruba Dushi Tera – Aruba Precious Country (National Aruban Anthem)
Aruba patria aprecia
– Aruba beloved home
nos cuna venera
– our venerated cradle
chikito y simpel bo por ta
–though small and simple you may be
pero si respeta.
–you are indeed esteemed.
Chorus:
O, Aruba, dushi tera
–Oh, Aruba, our dear country
nos baranca tan stima
–our rock so well beloved
nos amor p’abo t’asina grandi
–our love for you is so strong
cu n’tin nada pa kibre (bis)
–that nothing can destroy it. (repeat)
Bo playanan tan admira
– Your beaches so much admired
cu palma tur dorna
– with palm trees all adorned
bo escudo y bandera ta
– your coat of arms and flag
orgullo di nos tur!
– the symbols of our pride.
Chorus:
O, Aruba, dushi tera
–Oh Aruba, our dear country
nos baranca tan stima
–our rock so well beloved
nos amor p’abo t’asina grandi
–our love for you is so strong
cu n’tin nada pa kibre (bis)
–that nothing can destroy it. (repeat)
Grandeza di bo pueblo ta
– The greatness of our people
su gran cordialidad
– is their great cordiality
cu Dios por guia y conserva
– and may God guide and preserve
su amor pa libertad!
– its love for freedom!
Chorus:
O, Aruba, dushi tera
–Oh Aruba, our dear country
nos baranca tan stima
–our rock so well beloved
nos amor p’abo t’asina grandi
–our love for you is so strong
cu n’tin nada pa kibre (bis)
–that nothing can destroy it. (repeat)
The Creative Islander would like to extend its most sincere condolences to the entire Lampe-Croes Family, the Aruban Cultural Sector, and the entire Aruban community for the immeasurable painful loss of our beloved Padu. Padu, Aruba will forever keep your memory alive in her mind and heart. May Padu’s legacy live always! q
