Pepe Corvina

(Song)

Héctor Numa Moraes Version:

Long sun of the breakwater
stayed still that day,
when Pepe Matta died,
also known as Pepe Corvina.

Nets and ropes and sky
dripped down his face,
nets pressing the years
and drying out his life.

Pepe walking towards the sea,
heading out to sea,
with ragged pants
and a tattered shirt.

Sometimes still on the dock,
his little lantern lit,
Pepe fished, he fished,
while Pepe was dying.

Pepe in the shadow of the south,
sang Pepe Corvina,
sang with his throat,
throat hoarse from wine.

The singing rigging,
the pensive boats,
the sea alone, alone,
the sea without Pepe Corvina.

Alfredo Zitarrosa Version:

Long sun of the breakwater
sickly darkened,
when Pepe Matta died,
also known as Pepe Corvina.

Sailing fisherman,
the rudder adrift,
the ship never returned,
the ship would not return.

Pepe walking towards the sea,
heading out to sea,
with ragged pants
and a tattered shirt.

In the waters of coral
the sunken frigate dreams,
madness followed him,
madness kept following him.

A shadow searched for him
under the yellow moon,
and he got lost
beyond the submerged night.

Goodbye Pepe fisherman,
fugitive whaler,
tattooed in solitude,
anchored in Paradise.

The singing rigging,
the pensive boats,
the sea alone, alone,
the sea without Pepe Corvina.