Baleleng is one of the famous Filipino Folk Song which is Sama Dilaut and/or Tausug in origin[1] that has been passed through generations. The composer or the writer of the song was not credited and was unknown. The tune was passed by mouth from province to province and the original lyrics of the song was altered. Versions of Filipino local artists have made the song popular both in Visayan and Tagalog dialects.
Leleng was the original title of the song which means Darling, Sweetheart, my lady or my dear in Sama Dilaut language.[2] In local Filipino dialects such as Visayan and Tagalog, the enclitic ba is used as a question marker.[3] Example: (Tagalog) Aalis ka na ba? (English) ɑre you leaving now? Since the song was passed from tongue to tongue, the lyrics was wrongly interpreted as Baleleng
The story of the song was about a man bidding goodbye to a lady called Leleng as he was going to war.
Pila na ba Leleng layuh layuh
Sitangkay ba Leleng iban Sibutuh
Bang kaw ba Leleng bunnal matuyuh
Urul kaw ba Leleng pa malayuh
Aku ini Leleng tumulak na
Ikaw yan ba Leleng mabiin na
Minsan ba Leleng biyah ini na
Masi da kaw Leleng dih hilupa
Aku ba Leleng ha gitung laud
Ikaw ba Leleng dih na ma atud
Bang bakas kaw ba Leleng ma ilud
Atas ku ba Leleng in mag guyud
Leleng, ikaw hadja ha laum simud
Leleng, ikaw hadja ha laum atud
Leleng, aku hapit na iyanud
Leleng, masi na man kaw ha simud
In tuhan ba Leleng dih mag pasaad
Bang in ummat ba leleng miyagad
Ha aturan ba magbuhih jasad
Samabahayang ba Leleng naagad
Magsukul ba Leleng ha duwaa mu
Amu yadtu Leleng in lutuh ku
Bunnal da ba Leleng in lasa mu
Ikaw na ba Leleng in limbang ku
How far Leleng is the distance
From Sitangkay, Leleng, to Sibutu
For if you’re really faithful
Please follow me to this far
I am now, Leleng, leaving
So you’re now left
Even if this is so
I will never forget you
I am now, Leleng in the middle of the ocean
I may not see you anymore
If only I could make you move
I would really tow you
Leleng, you’re always in my thoughts
Leleng, you are always in my sight
Leleng, as I was about to be drifted
Leleng, you were still in my thoughts
God, Leleng never forsake
If a man follows His command
To live and save life
Prayer, Leleng was performed
Thank you, Leleng for your prayer
That was my provision
Your love is true
And now you shall always be my partner
Mutya ka ba Leleng? Sa katahom
Timgas pa sa puti nga baybayon
Sa kasingkasing ka panganduyon
Perlas ka nga angay gyud angkonon
Pila na ba Leleng? Layu-layu?
Si Tangkay ba Leleng? Pa Sibutu ?
Bang 'kaw bunal ba Leleng matuyo
Urul kaw ba Leleng pama layu
Kon ikaw ba Leleng ay mawala
Kon ikaw ba Leleng di ko makita
Gugma ko ba Leleng magahulat
Taliwala 'ning lawod sa mga luha
as popularized by Roel Cortez
Tulad mo, Baleleng, ay isang mutya
Perlas na kay ningning, anong ganda
Tulad mo'y bituin sa kalangitan
Tulad mo ay gintong kumikinang
At ako, Baleleng, ay isang dukha
Langit kang ‘di abot, ako'y lupa
At sa ‘yo'y nagmahal nang wagas
Kahit magkaiba ang ating landas
Kung ikaw, Baleleng, ang mawala
Kung ikaw, Baleleng, ‘di na makita
Puso ko sa iyo'y maghihintay
‘Pagkat mahal na mahal kitang tunay