¡Ay, Elena!

One day high up among the rose bushes
Beautiful hill of Santa Lucia
There's a goldfinch
Pecking at a flower
As the day breaks
We both saw it

Oh Elena, my dear, I swear I’m begging you
Give me a rose
Give me a carnation!
The bird sings
The bird smiles
And the tree sways with gentle harmony
That beautiful tree
Thick with fragrance
The bird sings
Dawn is peeking through

Oh Elena, my dear, I swear I’m begging you
Give me a rose
Give me a carnation!
The prettiest flowers
From the blooming garden
That I tended
Were born in happy times
At last, fate
Came to pluck
The beautiful flowers
From a lovely garden

Oh Elena, my dear, I swear I’m begging you
Give me a rose
Give me a carnation!
Oh Elena, my dear, I swear I’m begging you
Give me a rose
Give me a carnation!