Negrita Martina
Mercedes Sosa
Lyrics
Translation
Escuche, negrita martina
Listen, little dark-skinned Martina
La copla chiquita que el rey va a dejar
The small verse that the king is going to leave
Y ponga motita en la almohada
And put a little speck on the pillow
Que usté está cansada de tanto esperar
Because you are tired of waiting so much
Su madre está en el arroyo
Your mother is at the stream
Lavando la ropa de amita leonor
Washing the clothes of Miss Leonor
Su padre ha vuelto cansado
Your father has returned tired
No vendió un plumero, le trajo una flor
He didn't sell a duster, he brought a flower
Martina, melchor ya lo sabe
Martina, Melchor already knows
"Tú no comes rosas; tú precisas pan"
"You don't eat roses; you need bread"
Rey mago de los niños pobres
Wise king of poor children
No te trajo harina, tan sólo canción
He didn't bring you flour, only a song
Abrace, negrita martina
Embrace, little dark-skinned Martina
La copla chiquita que el rey le dejó
The small verse that the king left you
Y ponga motita en la almohada
And put a little speck on the pillow
Que usté está cansada de tanto esperar
Because you are tired of waiting so much