Cucurumbé

The little black girl cucurumbé
Went to bathe in the sea
To see if in the white waves
Her face could whiten

The little black girl cucurumbé
Approached the beach
Envying the little shells
For their pale color

She wanted to be white
Like the moon
Like the foam
That the sea has

A fish with a top hat
Approached her
And taking off the hat
Greeted her
But oh my goodness!
Don't you see
That being black makes you beautiful
Little black girl cucurumbé?

A fish with a top hat
Approached her
And wagging its tail
Asked her
But oh my woman!
Don't you see
How beautiful your face is
Little black girl cucurumbé?