Coplas Populares

Yo no canto por cantor

I don't sing to just sing

Ni por tener buena voz

Nor for having a good voice

Canto para echar las penas

I sing to cast away the sorrows

Que tengo en el corazón

That I carry in my heart

Yo no canto pa' que me oigan

I don't sing so they can hear me

Ni porque mi voz sea buena

Nor because my voice is good

Canto para que no caiga

I sing so that guilt

La culpa sobre la pena

Doesn't fall upon the sorrow

Bien haiga este cajerito

Bless this little box

Quien lo trajo de su tierra

That brought it from its land

Por su modito de tocar

For its way of playing

No ha de faltar quien lo quiera

There won't be a lack of admirers

Cante, cante, compañero

Sing, sing, friend

Coplas no le han de faltar

You won't run out of verses

Tengo una tinaja llena

I have a full jar

Y otra para desvaciar

And another to empty

Ya llega la triste noche

The sad night arrives

Para aquél que anda penando

For the one who walks in sorrow

El que tenga sueño duerma

Whoever feels sleepy, sleep

Yo lo hei de velar cantando

I will keep watch by singing