A popular Basque song in the Basque-American community is “Maite Zaitut” which translates to “I love you.” Its catchy tune is infectious and the Boise band “Amuma Says No” went a long way in helping it become a favorite.

Amuma Says No frequently performs the song during its concerts. See a recent performance of the song at a summer concert in Boise in the YouTube video above.

The song was written by Xabier Zabala for the popular Basque-speaking clown troupe Pirritx eta Porrotx. Buy the Amuma Says No version of the song from Amazon here. Buy the Pirritx eta Porrotx version from Amazon here.

Buy a Maite Zaitut t-shirt by clicking here.

MORE BASQUE SONGS

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Konplize Ditut Eta

Andre Maddalen

Lau Teilatu

Maite Zaitut (I Love You)

I want to be your skin in the winter
So the cold can’t get inside you.
I want to be the light in your path
Sun in the night, fresh water in the sea.

To be the door that doesn’t let in
the long silence and the loneliness.
To be different bodies with the same aim,
to be, sweetheart, to be me in you.

And if I must break the chains that tie me
to the routine, I’ll shatter them,
and if I must move mountains that in my mind
don’t let me see you, my love, I’ll move them.

Let God be my witness when I say I won’t fail you,
I’ll be your counsel, baby, but not your judge.
Time taught me that the nourishment for love
is trust, respect and a mattress.

Lyrics in Basque

Koloretako ametsak
esna nagoenean
eta ezin loak hartu
gaua iristen denean.

Saltoka hasita hegan
egiteko gogoa,
nire bihotza taupaka
aire ertzera doa.

Elkarrekin hankaz gora
buruz behera jartzean,
tunelean sartu eta
irrintzika hastean,
bitxiloreekin pultsera
egin dizudanean,
begietara begira
hauxe nahi dizut esan:

Maite zaitut,
maite- maite zaitut;
pila, pila, pila patata tortilla!
Maite zaitut. Maite-maite zaitut,
ilargiraino eta buelta maite zaitut

Begietako dirdira,
irribarrea ahoan,
ezin ditut ezkutatu
zu ikusterakoan;
hanka eta eskuetan,
gorputzean, dardara;
nire bihotza taupaka
aire ertzera doa.
Elkarrekin ortzadarra
margotu dugunean,
ispiluan nire izena
idatzi duzunean,
irratia piztu eta
doinu hau entzutean,
begietara begira
hauxe nahi dizut esan:

Maite zaitut,
maite-maite zaitut;
pila, pila, pila patata tortilla!
Maite zaitut.
Maite-maite zaitut,
ilargiraino eta buelta maite zaitut