By Luis G. Dato
A haven by the roads is Nabua town,
Set midst a sea of emerald trees and plains,
Where the wayfarer travelling up and down,
See her streets teem with courteous, studious swains,
Her maidens bloom like blossoms by the road,
Here industry and labor have abode,
Here graceful bamboo trees in billowing green,
Repose the sight and dance in the warm sun,
And from a centuried belfry sounds so keen
And soft the Angelus when day is done,
For Nabua is a blossom by the road,
Where hallowed peace and prayer find abode.
Here in blue splendour Nabua’s mountains soar,
To Heaven’s height and veil the scene beyond,
Here round her shores the ocean’s billows roar
And chant of regions distant or profound,
For Nabua is a blossom of the road,
Where earth-encircling friendships find abode.
Nabua is lovely, Nabua is fair,
What though upon her face some grief should show,
As sets the dust on flowers we prize with care,
That bloom where endless cars do come and go?
Here happiness is a flower by the road,
Where Greed and Envy have not found abode.
Hail then to you, dear Nabua fair and sweet
Where Peace and Union breathe in your pure air,
May God His blessings from of old complete,
Each year renew to banish earthly care,
Thus may you be a flower by the road,
Forever where sweet Peace may find abode.
