Del norte vengo, Maruca

Del norte vengo, Maruca,

From the north I come, Maruca,

a cantarle al niño Dios.

to sing to the child Jesus.

Mi mamá mandó saludos

My mom sends greetings

pa' don José y para vos.

for Mr. José and for you.

Como yo no tengo burro

Since I don't have a donkey,

me he venido caminando.

I have come walking.

Cuando lo supo la luna

When the moon found out,

feliz me vino alumbrando.

it happily came to light my way.

La salitrera norteña

The northern saltpeter worker

me ha mandado a saludar.

has sent me to greet.

He caminado tres noches

I have walked three nights

con luna y sin descansar.

with the moon and without resting.

Tengo ganas de llorar

I feel like crying

porque me tengo ir.

because I have to go.

Llegué sin nada en las manos

I arrived with nothing in my hands,

pero vi al querubín.

but I saw the cherub.