Introduction: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal
“My Last Farewell” by José Rizal first appeared in 1897, as part of a posthumous collection of his writings, discovered hidden in an alcohol stove shortly after his execution by Spanish colonial authorities. The poem stands as a final testament to Rizal’s unyielding patriotism and profound love for his country, the Philippines. The main ideas revolve around sacrifice, nationalism, and the hope for freedom—Rizal willingly offers his life for the motherland, finding beauty and meaning even in death if it contributes to his country’s liberation: “Gladly do I give you my life, though sad and repressed.” His vivid metaphors—like his blood becoming part of the “matutinal glow”—transform death into a source of national awakening and inspiration. The reason for the poem’s enduring popularity lies in its emotional depth, lyrical eloquence, and moral power. It became a symbol of Filipino resistance against colonial oppression, capturing the spirit of martyrdom with lines like “To die is to rest”, where Rizal suggests that his death is not an end but a peaceful offering for a brighter future.
Text: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal
Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,
Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost,
With gladness I give you my Life, sad and repressed;
And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best,
I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.
On the fields of battle, in the fury of fight,
Others give you their lives without pain or hesitancy,
The place does not matter: cypress laurel, lily white,
Scaffold, open field, conflict or martyrdom’s site,
It is the same if asked by home and Country.
I die as I see tints on the sky b’gin to show
And at last announce the day, after a gloomy night;
If you need a hue to dye your matutinal glow,
Pour my blood and at the right moment spread it so,
And gild it with a reflection of your nascent light!
My dreams, when scarcely a lad adolescent,
My dreams when already a youth, full of vigor to attain,
Were to see you, gem of the sea of the Orient,
Your dark eyes dry, smooth brow held to a high plane
Without frown, without wrinkles and of shame without stain.
My life’s fancy, my ardent, passionate desire,
Hail! Cries out the soul to you, that will soon part from thee;
Hail! How sweet ’tis to fall that fullness you may acquire;
To die to give you life, ‘neath your skies to expire,
And in your mystic land to sleep through eternity!
If over my tomb some day, you would see blow,
A simple humble flow’r amidst thick grasses,
Bring it up to your lips and kiss my soul so,
And under the cold tomb, I may feel on my brow,
Warmth of your breath, a whiff of your tenderness.
Let the moon with soft, gentle light me descry,
Let the dawn send forth its fleeting, brilliant light,
In murmurs grave allow the wind to sigh,
And should a bird descend on my cross and alight,
Let the bird intone a song of peace o’er my site.
Let the burning sun the raindrops vaporize
And with my clamor behind return pure to the sky;
Let a friend shed tears over my early demise;
And on quiet afternoons when one prays for me on high,
Pray too, oh, my Motherland, that in God may rest I.
Pray thee for all the hapless who have died,
For all those who unequalled torments have undergone;
For our poor mothers who in bitterness have cried;
For orphans, widows and captives to tortures were shied,
And pray too that you may see you own redemption.
And when the dark night wraps the cemet’ry
And only the dead to vigil there are left alone,
Don’t disturb their repose, don’t disturb the mystery:
If you hear the sounds of cithern or psaltery,
It is I, dear Country, who, a song t’you intone.
And when my grave by all is no more remembered,
With neither cross nor stone to mark its place,
Let it be plowed by man, with spade let it be scattered
And my ashes ere to nothingness are restored,
Let them turn to dust to cover your earthly space.
Then it doesn’t matter that you should forget me:
Your atmosphere, your skies, your vales I’ll sweep;
Vibrant and clear note to your ears I shall be:
Aroma, light, hues, murmur, song, moanings deep,
Constantly repeating the essence of the faith I keep.
My idolized Country, for whom I most gravely pine,
Dear Philippines, to my last goodbye, oh, harken
There I leave all: my parents, loves of mine,
I’ll go where there are no slaves, tyrants or hangmen
Where faith does not kill and where God alone does reign.
Farewell, parents, brothers, beloved by me,
Friends of my childhood, in the home distressed;
Give thanks that now I rest from the wearisome day;
Farewell, sweet stranger, my friend, who brightened my way;
Farewell, to all I love. To die is to rest.
Annotations: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal
| Stanza | Simplified Annotation (Detailed in Simple English) | Literary Devices |
| 1 | Rizal bids farewell to the Philippines, calling it beautiful and beloved. He willingly offers his life, even if it were more youthful or valuable, just for the nation’s benefit. | 🌄 Imagery, 🎭 Metaphor, 🕊️ Symbolism, 🗣️ Apostrophe |
| 2 | He honors others who also died for their country. It doesn’t matter where or how one dies—as long as it’s for the motherland, it is noble. | 🕊️ Symbolism, 🔀 Contrast, 🌄 Imagery, 🎭 Metaphor |
| 3 | Rizal compares his blood to the colors of dawn. He hopes it brings brightness and freedom to his country after the dark times. | 🎭 Metaphor, 🕊️ Symbolism, 🌄 Imagery, 🗣️ Apostrophe |
| 4 | He remembers his childhood dreams of a peaceful, honorable Philippines—free from sorrow, shame, or oppression. | 📜 Hyperbole, 🌄 Imagery, 🗣️ Apostrophe |
| 5 | Rizal embraces death as sweet if it means the Philippines becomes free and complete. He desires eternal peace in his native land. | ❤️ Personification, 🕊️ Symbolism, 🎭 Metaphor, 🗣️ Apostrophe |
| 6 | He asks that if a flower grows on his grave, someone kiss it to send their love to his soul beneath the ground. | 🕊️ Symbolism, 🌄 Imagery, ❤️ Personification |
| 7 | Rizal wants nature—moonlight, wind, birds—to gently visit his grave and bring him peace. | 🌄 Imagery, 🎶 Sound Device, 🕊️ Symbolism |
| 8 | He asks friends to remember him, cry for him, and pray not only for him but for the Philippines as well. | 🙏 Spiritual Tone, 🗣️ Apostrophe, 🕊️ Symbolism |
| 9 | He urges prayer for all who suffered under tyranny—mothers, orphans, widows, and captives—so that the country may find redemption. | 🗣️ Apostrophe, 🙏 Spiritual Tone, 🕊️ Symbolism |
| 10 | He tells people not to disturb the dead at night. If they hear music, it’s him singing to his country from beyond the grave. | 🕊️ Symbolism, ❤️ Personification, 🗣️ Apostrophe, 🌄 Imagery |
| 11 | If his grave is forgotten, let it be destroyed and become part of the earth. Even as dust, he wants to serve the land. | 🕊️ Symbolism, 🌄 Imagery, 🎭 Metaphor |
| 12 | He says that even if forgotten, his spirit will remain in the country’s air, light, and sounds, forever faithful to the Philippines. | ❤️ Personification, 🕊️ Symbolism, 🌄 Imagery |
| 13 | Rizal deeply loves his country and says goodbye. He looks forward to going to a place where there’s no slavery or injustice—only God’s rule. | 🗣️ Apostrophe, 🔀 Contrast, 🕊️ Symbolism |
| 14 | In his final farewell, he says goodbye to family, friends, and even strangers. He welcomes death as a form of rest from life’s hardships. | 🔁 Repetition, 🗣️ Apostrophe, 🙏 Spiritual Tone |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal
| Device | Definition | Example from Poem | Detailed Explanation |
| 🗣️ Apostrophe | A direct address to someone absent or non-human as if it could hear. | “Farewell, my adored Land…” | Rizal speaks to the Philippines as if it were a person, showing personal, heartfelt patriotism. |
| 💥 Alliteration | Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of nearby words. | “With gladness I give you my Life, sad and repressed” | The repeated “g” and “s” sounds create a rhythm that emphasizes sincerity and sadness. |
| 🔂 Anaphora | Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines. | “Let the moon… Let the dawn… Let the bird…” | Repeating “Let the” brings structure and poetic rhythm to his final wishes. |
| 🎭 Metaphor | A comparison made without “like” or “as.” | “Pearl of the Orient Sea” | Rizal compares the Philippines to a pearl, implying great value and beauty. |
| 🧠 Conceit | An extended or complex metaphor. | “Pour my blood… to dye your matutinal glow” | His blood is imagined as the color of dawn—a deep metaphor for sacrifice bringing national awakening. |
| 🔀 Contrast | Juxtaposition of opposing ideas to highlight difference. | “To die to give you life” | Presents the paradox of dying for life—martyrdom giving rise to freedom. |
| 🧩 Irony | A contrast between expectations and reality. | “To die is to rest.” | Death is presented not as tragic, but as peaceful rest, which is unexpected in a patriotic context. |
| 🕯️ Elegy | A sorrowful poem lamenting death. | The entire poem | This poem is Rizal’s poetic goodbye—reflecting on his own death and love for the nation. |
| 🔉 Euphony | Use of pleasing and harmonious sounds. | “Let the moon with soft, gentle light…” | Soft consonants and vowels make this line calming and peaceful, reflecting Rizal’s peace with death. |
| 🎶 Sound Device | Use of musical language, such as rhyme and rhythm. | “Let the bird intone a song of peace o’er my site.” | Enhances the serenity of the scene through poetic musicality. |
| 📜 Hyperbole | Extreme exaggeration for emphasis. | “To die is to rest.” | Oversimplifies death, showing how Rizal elevates sacrifice for the nation. |
| 🌄 Imagery | Vivid descriptions that appeal to senses. | “Warmth of your breath, a whiff of your tenderness” | Allows the reader to imagine physical sensations, creating emotional closeness. |
| ❤️ Personification | Giving human qualities to non-human things. | “My soul to you cries out…” | His soul is personified as if it can speak, enhancing emotional intensity. |
| 🔁 Repetition | Reusing the same word or phrase for emphasis. | “Farewell, farewell…” | Emphasizes finality and emotional depth in saying goodbye. |
| 🕊️ Symbolism | Using objects, actions, or ideas to represent something greater. | “blood… matutinal glow” | His blood symbolizes sacrifice; dawn represents hope and freedom. |
| ⚔️ Heroic Tone | Elevated, noble language to honor sacrifice. | “To die to give you life…” | This line elevates martyrdom as the highest form of patriotism. |
| 🗽 Nationalism | Deep pride and loyalty to one’s nation. | “Dear Philippines… I go where there are no slaves…” | Reflects his longing for national freedom and his identity as a Filipino. |
| 🔄 Cycle of Life/Death | The theme that death leads to rebirth or continuation. | “Let them turn to dust to cover your earthly space.” | His death nourishes the land—his legacy lives on in the soil. |
| 🕊️🙏 Prayer / Invocation | A solemn plea or request, often to God or country. | “Pray thee for all the hapless who have died…” | Rizal invokes his homeland and divine powers to remember the suffering. |
| 🧑🎓 Didactic Tone | A tone used to teach a moral or political lesson. | “Give thanks that now I rest…” | Suggests that death in service to the nation should be honored, not mourned. |
Themes: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal
🕊️ 1. Patriotism and National Sacrifice: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal centers on the theme of patriotism, presenting the poet’s willingness to die for the Philippines as the highest act of love. Rizal views martyrdom not with fear but with pride, offering his life to the “Pearl of the Orient Sea”—a metaphor for the Philippines. In the first stanza, he writes, “With gladness I give you my life, sad and repressed,” which shows the depth of his sacrifice. He compares his blood to the dawn’s color (“Pour my blood and at the right moment spread it so”), symbolizing how even his death becomes part of the nation’s awakening. Through these lines, Rizal affirms that national liberty is worth every drop of blood, framing his execution as a heroic offering for future generations.
⚰️ 2. Death as Rest and Liberation: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal presents death not as an end but as peaceful rest, especially when it serves a greater cause. Rizal demystifies dying by calling it “to rest from the wearisome day,” emphasizing that death, when it brings freedom to others, is not something to mourn. In the final stanza, he writes, “To die is to rest,” showing his spiritual acceptance. He finds peace in the idea that his grave can be forgotten—as long as his death nourishes the land: “Let them turn to dust to cover your earthly space.” This cyclical imagery (🔄) reflects death as part of life’s natural process, not something to be feared. Rizal accepts his fate because it serves the greater purpose of national dignity and liberation.
🌄 3. Immortality Through Legacy: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal also explores the theme of immortality—not of the body, but of ideals and love for the nation. Even after death, Rizal imagines himself living through the country’s natural elements: “Your atmosphere, your skies, your vales I’ll sweep… constantly repeating the essence of the faith I keep.” This suggests that his spirit will live on in the Philippine landscape, in sounds and colors. He refuses to be erased—even if “neither cross nor stone” marks his grave—because he believes his sacrifice will echo in national memory. This theme reveals how heroes live forever through their principles and enduring impact, even when their names are forgotten. 🕊️
🙏 4. Prayer, Peace, and Spiritual Reflection: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal has a deeply spiritual tone, portraying death as a time for prayer, peace, and reflection. Rizal not only prays for himself but asks his country to pray for all who have suffered: “Pray thee for all the hapless who have died… for orphans, widows and captives.” His tone reflects humility and spiritual surrender. He also invites natural elements—“the moon,” “the wind,” “the bird”—to keep vigil at his grave, creating a peaceful scene surrounded by serenity and divinity. The poem is structured like an elegy and a prayer, expressing both personal reflection and national mourning. This theme emphasizes the sacredness of sacrifice and the moral call to remember the oppressed and martyred.
Literary Theories and “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal
| 📚 Theory | Theory Explanation | Application to “My Last Farewell” (with Poem References) |
| 🗽 Postcolonial Theory | Examines literature from formerly colonized nations and how identity, resistance, and power are portrayed. | Rizal’s poem is a direct resistance to Spanish colonization, evident in his sacrificial love for the country: “I go where there are no slaves, tyrants, or hangmen.” He rejects colonial rule and embraces Filipino identity through “Pearl of the Orient Sea.” His farewell is both personal and political, reclaiming Filipino dignity. |
| 🧠 Formalism / New Criticism | Focuses on form, structure, literary devices, and text itself without external context. | The poem uses metaphors (“blood to dye your matutinal glow”), imagery (“Let the moon with soft, gentle light me descry”), and repetition (“Farewell, farewell”) to create a mournful, noble tone. Its sonnet-like structure and controlled rhythm support its message of calm, selfless patriotism. |
| ❤️ Reader-Response Theory | Emphasizes the reader’s emotional and personal interpretation of the text. | Different readers may feel grief, admiration, or inspiration. Filipinos may interpret it as a national call for freedom, while others may see it as a universal reflection on mortality and legacy. Lines like “To die is to rest” or “I die as I see tints on the sky b’gin to show” evoke peace or sadness depending on personal lens. |
| 🙏 Moral / Philosophical Theory | Evaluates a text by the moral lessons or values it conveys. | The poem teaches heroism, love for country, and selflessness. Rizal’s message—“To die to give you life”—presents martyrdom as noble and moral. He also emphasizes compassion, asking readers to “Pray thee for all the hapless who have died.” It inspires ethical reflection on sacrifice and freedom. |
Critical Questions about “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal
❓ 1. How does Rizal portray death in “My Last Farewell”?
“My Last Farewell” by José Rizal presents death not as an end, but as a noble and peaceful transition, especially when it serves a higher purpose—freedom. Rizal embraces death as a necessary part of his patriotic duty, stating in the final line, “To die is to rest.” This simple yet profound conclusion shows how he views death not with fear, but with acceptance and even relief. He also romanticizes it by expressing a wish that his “blood… dye your matutinal glow”—his sacrifice blending into the morning sky, symbolizing hope and national rebirth. This metaphor makes death poetic, even beautiful, especially when it benefits the “adored Land.” Rizal’s calm and dignified tone throughout the poem reveals his spiritual readiness, transforming the idea of dying into a lasting legacy rather than a loss.
❓ 2. In what ways does Rizal express love for the Philippines in the poem?
“My Last Farewell” by José Rizal is an outpouring of deep, unconditional love for the Philippines, expressed through language rich in tenderness and reverence. From the opening line, “Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,” Rizal treats the country as a beloved entity—almost like a lover or family member. He calls it the “Pearl of the Orient Sea” and “our Eden lost,” highlighting both its beauty and its pain under colonial rule. His love is also shown through sacrifice: “With gladness I give you my life.” Despite knowing that he is to die, Rizal is joyful because he believes that his death will serve the country’s future. His wish to be remembered not through grand monuments but through nature—“Your atmosphere, your skies, your vales I’ll sweep”—demonstrates a humble yet profound attachment. For Rizal, true love for the motherland means giving everything, even one’s life.
❓ 3. How does nature contribute to the themes of the poem?
“My Last Farewell” by José Rizal uses nature as both a symbolic and emotional extension of his legacy, reinforcing themes of sacrifice, peace, and immortality. Nature elements—like the sun, dawn, moon, wind, and flowers—are present throughout the poem and serve as metaphors for his transition from life to death and from memory to myth. For instance, Rizal asks, “Let the moon with soft, gentle light me descry,” showing his desire to be watched over by nature after death. In another line, “If you need a hue to dye your matutinal glow, pour my blood,” he envisions his sacrifice nourishing the sky itself. Nature becomes his eternal voice: “Vibrant and clear note to your ears I shall be: Aroma, light, hues, murmur, song…” This use of imagery ties Rizal’s soul to the land forever, emphasizing that even if his physical body perishes, his ideals and devotion live on through the natural world. 🌄
❓ 4. What moral or philosophical lessons does the poem convey?
“My Last Farewell” by José Rizal conveys strong moral lessons about selflessness, love for country, and the dignity of sacrifice. Rizal does not seek revenge or bitterness in his final words; instead, he chooses forgiveness, peace, and hope. He appeals for prayers for all victims of colonial injustice, writing: “Pray thee for all the hapless who have died… for orphans, widows and captives.” This shows his empathy and concern for others even at the moment of death. His ultimate message is that serving the country is the highest good, even at the cost of one’s life. By saying “To die to give you life,” Rizal presents death as meaningful only when it uplifts others. His view is deeply ethical and philosophical: that one’s life finds its highest value not in comfort or survival, but in contribution to the freedom and dignity of others. 🙏
Literary Works Similar to “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal
- “If—” by Rudyard Kipling
Both poems emphasize moral courage, inner strength, and the virtue of self-sacrifice in pursuit of a greater cause. - “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas
Like Rizal’s poem, it powerfully reflects on death, urging emotional defiance and dignity in one’s final moments. - “I Died for Beauty” by Emily Dickinson
Both poems meditate on death and legacy, suggesting that ideals like truth and beauty (or patriotism) outlive the physical self. - “The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke
Both are farewell poems that present dying for one’s country as an honorable and spiritually fulfilling act.
Representative Quotations of “My Last Farewell” by José Riza
| 🔖 Quotation | 🧾 Context and Significance | 📚 Theoretical Perspective |
| 🗣️ “Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed…” | Opening line: Rizal addresses the Philippines with deep love and reverence, portraying the nation as both beautiful and wounded. | Postcolonial Theory – Frames the Philippines as a colonized paradise in need of liberation. |
| 🎭 “With gladness I give you my life, sad and repressed…” | Rizal willingly sacrifices his life for his country, even though his life was full of sadness. | Moral/Philosophical Criticism – Explores noble self-sacrifice for the greater good. |
| 🕊️ “Pour my blood and at the right moment spread it so…” | Blood as symbolic ink or color for freedom—a metaphor for national awakening. | Formalism – Rich use of metaphor and imagery reveals poetic structure and emotional force. |
| 💥 “To die to give you life…” | Central paradox: dying brings life and freedom to others—a poetic expression of martyrdom. | Reader-Response Theory – Evokes mixed emotions: grief, pride, hope. |
| ❤️ “Let the moon with soft, gentle light me descry…” | Rizal imagines nature watching over him in death—seeking eternal peace in the elements. | Ecocriticism – Links human memory with the permanence and purity of nature. |
| 🙏 “Pray thee for all the hapless who have died…” | Extends his personal sacrifice to all victims of oppression—shows Rizal’s compassion. | Moral/Philosophical Criticism – Broadens patriotism into a moral duty to all who suffer. |
| 🌄 “Your atmosphere, your skies, your vales I’ll sweep…” | Rizal sees his spirit merging with the land—an eternal presence within the homeland. | Symbolism / Archetypal Theory – Connects legacy with natural cycles and national memory. |
| 🧠 “Neither cross nor stone to mark its place…” | He accepts being forgotten physically, as long as his ideals remain. | Existentialism – Emphasizes meaning beyond recognition or physical remembrance. |
| 🗽 “I go where there are no slaves, tyrants or hangmen…” | Envisions death as spiritual liberation from colonial oppression. | Postcolonial Theory – Reflects dream of an uncolonized world of freedom and justice. |
| 🕯️ “To die is to rest.” | Final line offers calm closure—death as peaceful rest after struggle. | Elegiac / Structuralist Theory – Provide |
Suggested Readings: “My Last Farewell” by José Rizal
- Rizal, Jose, and Charles Derbyshire. My Last Farewell. San Antonio Press, 1964.
- Rizal, José. “My Last Farewell.” JoseRizal.com, 2025, https://joserizal.com/my-last-farewell/. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.