Lavandera Ko is a Balitaw composition of Santiago S. Suarez. Interpreted by \"The Mystery Singer\" (Cecil Lloyd). Audio from a 78 RPM shellac phonograph record (\"Lavandera Ko, Cecil Lloyd (Mystery Singer) With Ray Alinsod and His Orchestra,\" Bataan Records 110-A, Philippine Recording System, Manila Philippines).
ABOUT CECIL LLOYD, THE MYSTERY SINGER
The \"Mystery Singer\" was a black Fil-American whose real name was Cecil Lloyd (1910-1988) He started singing on radio in 1930.
He was featured as the Mystery Singer on KZRM in 1934. He first recorded Tagalog compositions \"Ikaw\" and \"Buhat\" by Miguel Verlarde Jr. in 1939.
He established the first Filipino-owned record company, Philippine Recording System, which featured his renditions of Filipino songs. Cecil Lloyd was also a professional lawyer.
He finished law at the UP in 1936. He is considered the Father of the Philippine Recording Industry.
REFERENCE/SOURCE:
The Cultural Center of the Philippines Encyclopedia of Philippine Art, Vol. VI, p. 331
\"Appropriation of Colonial Broadcasting: A History of Early Radio in the Philippines\" by E.L. Enriquez, Chapter III p. 116 ; p.165
LAVANDERA KO
Musika ni Santiago S. Suarez
Lavandera ko tunay ka kung gumiliw
Ang batya't palo- palo ang sya'ng laging kapiling.
Kung naglalaba sa pagsimoy ng hangin
Sa tabi ng batisan awit mo'y napapansin.
Maging ano man ang hirap sa buhay
Ay ligaya rin kung dulot mo hirang.
Sa agos nitong tubig na malinaw
Ang sugat ng puso'y aking huhugasan.
Kung may hirap, may ginhawa
Sa gawain dyan ka liligaya.
Mayroong aliw-iw at himig ang tubig
At may gunita sa ating pag-ibig
Ang sumpa mo pa'y sinlinaw ng batis
Na ikaw ay akin lamang hanggang langit.
