The Apl Song
Black Eyed Peas Lyrics


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La pit m-ga kai bigan
At making kayo
A ko may da la da lang
Bali taga ling saba yanko
Na is kung y pama hagi
Ang m-ga kwento
Ang m-ga pang ya yari nagaga nap
Sa lu pang pinnang a ko

Yo, every place has a ghetto
This is my version of it
Check it out
Listen closely all I got a story to tell
Version of my ghetto when life felt for real
Some would call it hell, to me it was heaven
God gave me the grace amazing ways of living
How would you feel if you had to catch a meal
To live to eat to chill and
Havin' to pump the water out of the ground
The way we put it down utilizing what's around
Like land for farm and river for fish
Everyone help each other whenever they can
We makin' it happen, nothing to something
We be surviving back in the homeland

La pit m-ga kai bigan
At making kayo
A ko may da la da lang
Bali taga ling saba yanko
Na is kung y pama hagi
Ang m-ga kwento
Ang m-ga pang ya yari nagaga nap
Sa lu pang pinnang a ko

It's been a while but
I been back to my home, to my homeland
And this be what's going on
Man it feels good to be back at home (back at home)
It's been a decade and a journey all along
I was fourteen when I first left Philippines
Been away half my life and it felt like a dream
To be next to my mom with her home cooked meal
Man I felt complete, my emotions I feel
Now life has changed for me in the U.S.
But back at home man, life was a mess
I guess sometimes the life stresses get you down
On your knees
Oh brother wish I could have helped you out
Help me...

La pit m-ga kai bigan
At making kayo
A ko may da la da lang
Bali taga ling saba yanko
Na is kung y pama hagi
Ang m-ga kwento




Ang m-ga pang ya yari nagaga nap
Sa lu pang pinnang a ko

Overall Meaning

The Apl Song by Black Eyed Peas is a reflection of the struggles that one faces growing up in a ghetto. The song begins with a Filipino phrase "La pit m-ga kai bigan, At making kayo, A ko may da la da lang, Bali taga ling saba yanko" which translates to "Many people here are rude, but if you talk to them, they're really good people." This sets the tone for the song and highlights the message that every place has a ghetto, but there's still goodness in the people.


The first verse talks about how the ghetto is perceived as hell, but for the singer, it was heaven. The singer expresses gratitude for being given the grace to find amazing ways of living despite the challenges they face. The chorus repeats the Filipino phrase and emphasizes the importance of storytelling and sharing experiences in the community.


The second verse talks about the singer's journey to the United States, leaving behind their homeland at the age of fourteen. The nostalgia for their home and the feeling of completeness while being back in their homeland with their mother's home-cooked meal is evident in the lyrics. The singer reflects on how life has changed for them in the US, but back at home, life was a mess. The song ends with the singer expressing a desire to help those who are still struggling back home.


Overall, The Apl Song provides insights into the experiences of growing up in a ghetto, the importance of community, and the love and longing for a homeland.


Line by Line Meaning

La pit m-ga kai bigan
Every place has a ghetto.


At making kayo
This is my version of it.


A ko may da la da lang
Check it out.


Bali taga ling saba yanko
Listen closely all I got a story to tell.


Na is kung y pama hagi
Version of my ghetto when life felt for real.


Ang m-ga kwento
Some would call it hell, to me it was heaven.


Ang m-ga pang ya yari nagaga nap
God gave me the grace amazing ways of living.


Sa lu pang pinnang a ko
How would you feel if you had to catch a meal?



To live to eat to chill and, Havin' to pump the water out of the ground.



The way we put it down utilizing what's around.



Like land for farm and river for fish.



Everyone help each other whenever they can.



We makin' it happen, nothing to something.



We be surviving back in the homeland.



It's been a while but, I been back to my home, to my homeland.



And this be what's going on.



Man it feels good to be back at home (back at home).



It's been a decade and a journey all along.



I was fourteen when I first left Philippines.



Been away half my life and it felt like a dream.



To be next to my mom with her home cooked meal.



Man I felt complete, my emotions I feel.



Now life has changed for me in the U.S.



But back at home man, life was a mess.



I guess sometimes the life stresses get you down.



On your knees.



Oh brother wish I could have helped you out.



Help me...




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALLAN PINEDA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@markylee124

When this song was release.
It put the philipines back in the world map.

Every one was so proud by the song that was sang by an american.

Well we all know he was from pampanga. Half filipino, half america.

Way to go apl! God bless you!
Proud pinoy here.



All comments from YouTube:

@sejudelosreyes7192

Sa dami dami ng half filipino at half american na singer si apl de ap lang ang gumawa ng kanta na may tagalog! Salute apl de ap!!!

@venomous9818

Pure filipino si apl

@angieharper7173

@@venomous9818 hindi, tatay nya black American

@Brix01

THE PREDATOR NOPE. BLACK AMERICAN TATAY NYA AT NANAY NYA PURE PINAY..

@m4Rlb0roR3d

@@venomous9818 purong pinoy si Apl sa puso <3

@raffyfernandez9213

c jaya, black jack,liezel garcia at iba pa

101 More Replies...

@tenderwipes4950

Apl never forgets his country. International stage where he is but still on his knees. Admired this man

@aishein18

That's right, he's very grounded and still goes home every chance he gets. This song was so sad since his brother died while he was away. I hope BEP will make a strong comeback.

@chiezify

He always mention Philippines on BEP song

@iamjphinx6516

He always wears the "3 Stars and a Sun" necklace.

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